THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
ESG polarization in law firms: More myth than reality
Authors
Thomson Reuters Institute
Given all of the attention that ESG is receiving, and the likely ongoing regulatory evolutions related to it taking place over the next several years, the Thomson Reuters Institute recently conducted a survey among law firm employees at all levels. The survey — detailed in the new paper, ESG polarization in law firms: More myth than reality — focused specifically on ESG in relation to the firms themselves and the perspectives of employees.
Polarized narrative around ESG is more principle than practice — The term ESG is definitely polarizing. About 80% of our survey respondents said they considered it to be either highly important or unimportant that their firms demonstrate a commitment to ESG, with roughly equal numbers at each of those extremes.
However, when asked about how important certain individual issues under the ESG umbrella were, the polarization lessened. Perceptions of individual issues — such as recycling, pay equity, pro bono work, and mental health & well-being — trended toward more important rather than less.
