As ESG issues continue to dominate legal, political and business agendas, organisations face increasing pressure to rethink how they do business. Successfully navigating this complex and rapidly changing landscape raises a number of legal challenges, and preparation is vital to mitigate risk and avoid ESG-related disputes.

From greenwashing allegations to transition risk associated with decarbonising society, organisations are being held to account by governments, regulators, consumers and investors. The nexus of human rights and international business is also under scrutiny, as whistleblower allegations, supply chain issues, human rights concerns and compliance obligations emerge and evolve.

Freshfields helps clients develop sustainable strategies in line with the current risk agenda. Our multidisciplinary global investigations practice, comprising former regulators and prosecutors, has successfully represented some of the largest banks, corporates and institutions on the highest-profile matters, ranging from breaches of environment law to allegations of human rights abuse and anti-competitive behaviour.

The truly global nature of our practice sets us apart, and our world-leading international arbitration practice advises across all key jurisdictions and industry sectors whatever the governing law, the applicable arbitration rules or the subject matter of the issue.