8:00 AM – 8:45 AM 

Registration / Breakfast

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM 

Chairpersons Welcome Remarks

CHAIR

Pamela Cone

CEO

Amity Advisory

OPENING SESSION

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Looking Ahead:

Risk / Responsibility / Resilience / Recognition 

Overview

Against the prevailing backdrop of continued political and economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions, we look ahead and assess the challenges and opportunities on a range of strategic issues, from regulations on corporate sustainability reporting and transition planning, the evolution of sustainable finance and the role of carbon markets in funding net zero, to the increase in ESG-related litigation. 

SPEAKER

Jeroen Ouwehand

Chair of ESG Board

Clifford Chance 

KEYNOTE

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Rethinking Legal ESG:

Rational Sustainability 

Overview

ESG is under attack from all sides. True believers wish to keep practicing ESG but call it something different; opportunists recognize that an ESG label no longer helps launch funds or attract customers; opponents seek to ban ESG outright.

But if ESG is to be scrapped, what do we replace it with? Retiring the term but continuing the practice fails to address the legitimate challenges to ESG; abandoning the practice throws the baby out with the bathwater.

This talk will propose Rational Sustainability as a fundamental shift in the way ESG is practiced.

SPEAKER

Alex Edmans

Professor of Finance

London Business School 

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Transition Planning:

Moving from net-zero commitments to net-zero transition plans 

Overview

As the world endeavors to reshape its economic landscape towards sustainability, the intricate legal challenges and opportunities this transition presents become increasingly significant. 

This session will examine the innovative strategies needed to support the surge in investment and highlight the imperative for legal professionals to be at the forefront, leading industries, governments, and societies on this transformative journey. 

MODERATOR

Rae Lindsay

Partner

Clifford Chance 

PANEL

TBA

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Networking Break

PRESENTATION

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Ambition, Attitude, Approach: Navigating the Advisor & Client Partnership 

Overview

How are advisory roles evolving beyond transactional relationships to become integral, proactive participants in shaping business strategies with sustainability at the core? 

From meeting client expectations to fostering deep, collaborative partnerships, this session will utilize real-world case studies to highlight practical approaches for legal advisors to enhance their impact on clients' ESG initiatives, amplifying meaningful actions that resonate across industries. 

SPEAKER

Patrick Linighan

Chief Sustainability Officer

Clyde & Co 

SPOTLIGHT

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM

Assessing Responsible Business in the Legal Profession

Overview

How important are responsible business strategies in attracting, engaging and retaining talent? 

In this data-driven session we will uncover the critical link between responsible business practices and the strategic recruitment and retention of top talent in the legal profession.

With a focus on how ESG commitments are influencing workforce dynamics, this discussion will highlight why firms must be dedicated to responsible practices not only to attract high-caliber professionals but also foster a committed and motivated workforce.

SPEAKER

Lisa Hart Shepherd

CEO

Lamp House Strategy 

12:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

PANEL DISCUSSION

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Young Lawyers:

What ESG Means to the Next Generation 

Overview

The Professor Paul Watchman Young Lawyer of the Year award nominees will take the stage to discuss their work, what ESG means for them as they look ahead, and what they are looking to achieve as the next generation of lawyers.

MODERATOR

Carla Parsons

Senior Associate

Mills Reeve 

PANEL 

The three finalists of the Paul Watchman Young Lawyer Award will be announced 22nd May

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM 

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Supply Chain Connectivity:

The Future of ESG Law? 

Overview

Do we need more interventionalist ESG laws like CS3D to really drive forward change at the pace needed? Can we no longer rely purely on stakeholders making informed decisions based on transparent and comparable disclosures? Should the risk of legal liability be introduced more widely? And if so.... How does that fit with stakeholder capitalism if one existing stakeholder choice was to do nothing, to bury your heads in the sand, is taken away. 

Should we focus just on supply chains?  Where could the thinking lead to... shareholders potentially being held responsible for not holding a board to account...Specifically in relation to liabilities for failing to safeguard biodiversity and aquatic diversity - should CS3D have expressly covered those? 

SPEAKERS

Lee Shankland Gort

Partner, Head of Social, Sustainable and Green Finance

Addleshaw Goddard 

SPOTLIGHT

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM

Coming Soon

Overview

Coming Soon

SPEAKER TBA

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Networking Break

CASE STUDY

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Don’t Miss the Boat: Why ESG in the maritime sector matters?

Overview

This session dives into the maritime industry's unique ESG challenges, focusing on the intricacies of risks, contracts, and litigation associated with maritime operations. The global dependence on maritime routes underscores the significant environmental and regulatory risks, making robust contractual frameworks and effective litigation strategies paramount. This panel will discuss a real-world case study where ESG factors have influenced contracts and litigation outcomes, providing insights into managing liabilities and regulatory compliance effectively.

SPEAKERS

Galina Usorova

Managing Associate

Stephenson Harwood 

Cathal Leigh-Doyle

Partner

Stephenson Harwood

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM

Chairpersons Closing Remarks 

Close of Day 1

CHAIR

Pamela Cone

CEO

Amity Advisory

RECEPTION

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Networking Reception

Overview

Join your fellow attendees at the close of first day, converse, collaborate, and connect with contacts old and new.

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM 

Registration / Breakfast

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM 

Chairpersons Welcome Remarks

Pamela Cone

CEO

Amity Advisory

OPENING SESSION

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

GeoLegal Outlook:

The Intersection of Legal Practice and Global Affairs 

Overview

Legal leaders are faced with a backdrop of global complexity and more geopolitical risk than at any time in recent memory . This session will provide you with the tools you need to thrive in a world on fire.

Sean West

Co-Founder

Hence Technologies

PANEL DISCUSSION

9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Green Regulation, Green Washing, and Green Litigation

Overview

This session will examine the evolving landscape of green regulation and the critical issues surrounding greenwashing and green litigation. As global awareness and regulatory standards increase. This discussion will explore the legal implications of green claims and the enforcement actions emerging as regulators worldwide crackdown on misleading environmental practices. 

SPEAKERS TBA

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Advised Emissions: The Bigger Picture

Overview

This session examines ‘advised emissions,’ the emissions that legal professionals indirectly support through the counsel they provide to clients, especially in high-emission industries. 

This discussion will uncover how legal advisors can leverage their unique position to influence positive environmental outcomes, manage risks associated with high-emissions industries, and navigate the complexities of a shifting regulatory landscape. 

SPEAKERS TBA

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Networking Break

PRESENTATION / PANEL DISCUSSION

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

ESG Engagement: A Million Positive Impacts

Overview

This session will highlight how Dentons is pioneering sustainable practices within their workforce and extending these principles to client relationships. It will explore the firm's strategic initiatives that harness the power of engagement to create a million positive impacts, both internally and in the broader legal community. Insights into Dentons' approach to embedding sustainability into their corporate culture and how this commitment is leveraged to enhance client engagements. This discussion will showcase effective strategies for the profession to intensify ESG efforts and the tangible benefits these practices bring to a diverse array of stakeholders. 

SPEAKER

Aragon St Charles

Global ESG Officer

Dentons 

SPOTLIGHT

12:15 PM – 12:30 PM

Coming Soon

Overview

Coming Soon

SPEAKER TBA

12:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

PANEL DISCUSSION

1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

GC x ESG:

A Strategic Roundtable with In-House Legal Leaders   

Overview

This essential roundtable features a diverse array of industry perspectives and takes a deep dive into the most pressing ESG challenges in-house legal leaders face. Participants will discuss strategies for mitigating long-term risks, collaborating with external advisers, and navigating evolving ESG practices impacted by stakeholder demands. 

SPEAKERS TBA

SPOTLIGHT

2:15 PM – 2:30 PM

Coming Soon

Overview

Coming Soon

SPEAKER TBA

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM 

Networking Break

PANEL DISCUSSION

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Responsible Law: The Moral & Ethical Obligation of the Profession and the Future of the Rule of Law

Overview

This closing session will reflect on the discussions from the past two days and extend the conversation toward the future of the legal profession under the increasing influence of ESG principles. Panelists will explore the long-term risks and opportunities as the rule of law evolves in response to global sustainability challenges, disruption and change. This discussion will address how responsible law practices not only fulfill moral and ethical obligations but also shape the legal frameworks that govern our societies. Attendees will gain insights into how the profession can lead in fostering a sustainable future, emphasizing the essential role of legal accountability in ensuring justice and equity in the face of environmental and social imperatives.

MODERATOR: 

David Alfrey

Partner, ESG

Addleshaw Goddard 

Panel: 

Sean West

Co-Founder

Hence Technologies 

Additional Panelists TBA

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM

Chairpersons Closing Remarks Close of Day 2

CHAIR

Pamela Cone

CEO

Amity Advisory

AWARDS

7:00 PM - 9PM

The Inaugural Legal ESG Awards

Overview

Following the Legal ESG: London conference, we will be hosting our post-event dinner, where we will present the first Legal ESG Awards.   

These peer-reviewed awards will recognize outstanding achievements from across the legal profession. Awards will be presented to the Law Firm, Lawyer, In-House Counsel, Lifetime, and Young Lawyer of the Year.   

More Information