The evolving practice of evaluating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risks and opportunities to prioritize business commitments and build sustainable organizations is of increasing interest to our clients. Recognizing the dynamic state of ESG regulation, implementation, and discussion and the impacts on companies, stakeholders, and investors, Stoel Rives offers a multi-disciplinary ESG practice to guide our clients through the changing landscape of ESG and sustainability.
Our ESG practice is built on a foundation of deep legal expertise in each of the relevant subject areas and a commitment to assisting our clients who are navigating the intricacies of ESG integration into their operations and decision-making processes. For example, we advise on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programming, we help companies meet their environmental and carbon goals, we advise directors and leaders on ESG implementation, and we represent clients in greenwashing litigation.
Key Services
- Regulatory Compliance: Advise on ESG-related regulations, employment matters, environmental compliance, construction standards, public company disclosures, corporate governance, and integrity programs.
- Due Diligence: Offer ESG-specific diligence for M&A transactions, assessing risks and opportunities for target and acquiring entities.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Assist with stakeholder communication strategies, including responding to activists, sustainability reporting, and project development disclosures.
- B-Corp & Public Benefit Corp Formation: Advise on forming socially responsible corporations, ensuring legal compliance in an evolving regulatory environment, and aligning businesses with social and environmental objectives.
- Public Company ESG Disclosure: Assist public companies in ESG reporting, covering regulations, corporate governance, transparent communication with stakeholders, and continually keeping pace with best practices.
- ESG Strategy and Program Development: Partner with clients to develop and refine ESG strategies that align with their business objectives and are operational.
- Dispute Resolution: Represent clients in ESG-related disputes, mitigating potential risks and repercussions. This work includes advice on the prevention of discrimination and greenwashing litigation.
- Training and Workshops: Provide in-house training for businesses on ESG trends and sustainability, compliance, best practices, and DEI programming.
- Environmental/Carbon Goals: Leverage environmental expertise to develop operational water conservation and air emissions reductions to meet environmental goals; and engage renewable energy purchase expertise to help companies meet carbon reduction goals.
Our ESG practice team is composed of experienced attorneys from diverse backgrounds, including environmental law, corporate governance, employment law, and energy law. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that our clients receive comprehensive guidance on all aspects of ESG.
