Paul, Weiss to Host Strategic ESG Conversation in Partnership With New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business
The Paul, Weiss Sustainability & ESG Advisory Practice is partnering with NYU Stern to host a roundtable titled “Bridging the Divide of ESG: Linking Business and the Legal & Risk Ecosystems.” This off the record conversation will explore the growing significance of ESG commitments and values to stakeholders; practical ways for organizations to bridge business, ESG, legal and governance, and mechanisms for better tracking, measuring and monitoring progress; the impact of ESG commitments on reputational and legal risk, long-term value and financial performance; strategies for furthering ESG goals and awareness; and other topics. The interactive conversation will take place on Tuesday, February 3, at 8:30 a.m. EST.
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Events & Publications
Nasdaq Amends Its Board Diversity Proposals
- Mar 05, 2021
- Publications
Nasdaq Amends Its Board Diversity Proposals
On February 26, Nasdaq filed an amendment to its December 2020 proposals for diverse board representation and board diversity disclosure requirements in response to comments by Nasdaq-listed companies and other stakeholders. The…
SEC Turns up the Heat on Climate and ESG Disclosures
- Mar 04, 2021
- Publications
SEC Turns up the Heat on Climate and ESG Disclosures
Today, the SEC announced the creation of a Climate and ESG Task Force in its Division of Enforcement. The Enforcement Task Force, which will be led by the Acting Deputy Director of Enforcement, will oversee a Division-wide effort to…
Paul, Weiss Hosts Webinar on What’s Next for Businesses Under the Biden Administration
- Mar 03, 2021
- Events
Paul, Weiss Hosts Webinar on What’s Next for Businesses Under the Biden Administration
Paul, Weiss hosted a webinar, “The Biden Administration: What’s Next for Businesses,” highlighting the emerging regulatory enforcement priorities of the new administration and ways that corporate America can prepare.
Acting SEC Chair Allison Herren Lee Issues Statement on the Review of Climate-Related Disclosure
- Feb 25, 2021
- Publications
Acting SEC Chair Allison Herren Lee Issues Statement on the Review of Climate-Related Disclosure
Acting SEC Chair Allison Herren Lee issued a statement that she has directed the Staff of the SEC’s Division of Corporation Finance to “enhance its focus on climate-related disclosure in public company filings.”
Victoria Forrester and Dave Curran Co-Author Chapter in Refinitiv’s 2021 ESG Playbook
- Feb 24, 2021
- Publications
Victoria Forrester and Dave Curran Co-Author Chapter in Refinitiv’s 2021 ESG Playbook
Corporate partner Victoria Forrester and Chief Sustainability & ESG Officer Dave Curran co-authored a chapter in Refinitiv’s 2021 ESG Playbook, “Top ESG Trends for 2021: Stability and Sustainability in the Investment Community.”
Dave Curran to Participate in ESG Webinar Hosted by Refinitiv
- Feb 04, 2021
- Events
Dave Curran to Participate in ESG Webinar Hosted by Refinitiv
Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer Dave Curran will participate in a webinar, “Making ESG Commitments: Sustainability Reporting Under Potential Regulations in the U.S.,” hosted by Refinitiv, one of the world’s largest providers of…
David Lakhdhir and Mark Bergman Publish Article in Law360 on Evolving EU Climate, Human Rights Mandates
- Feb 11, 2021
- Publications
David Lakhdhir and Mark Bergman Publish Article in Law360 on Evolving EU Climate, Human Rights Mandates
Corporate partners David Lakhdhir and Mark Bergman co-authored a piece in Law360’s “Expert Analysis” section, examining recent legal developments in Europe related to corporate compliance around human rights and the environment.
Takeaways — Bridging the Divide of ESG: Linking Business and the Legal & Risk Ecosystems
- Feb 03, 2021
- Publications
Takeaways — Bridging the Divide of ESG: Linking Business and the Legal & Risk Ecosystems
On February 3, Paul, Weiss hosted a joint webinar with the NYU Stern School of Business’s Center for Sustainable Business, titled “Bridging the Divide of ESG: Linking Business and the Legal & Risk Ecosystems.”
Paul, Weiss Hosts ESG Virtual Webinar “Bridging the Divide of ESG”
- Feb 05, 2021
- Videos
Paul, Weiss Hosts ESG Virtual Webinar “Bridging the Divide of ESG”
Paul, Weiss recently hosted a virtual webinar, “Bridging the Divide of ESG: Linking Business and the Legal & Risk Ecosystems,” in collaboration with the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business.
ESG Ratings and Data: How to Make Sense of Disagreement
- Jan 29, 2021
- Publications
ESG Ratings and Data: How to Make Sense of Disagreement
Providers of ESG ratings play an important role in how markets assess the ESG performance of companies. However, their use of myriad methodologies and data, including aggregate E, S and G scores, for instance, can produce conflicting…
Sustainability & ESG Year in Review: Key Takeaways
- Jan 15, 2021
- Publications
Sustainability & ESG Year in Review: Key Takeaways
In a year overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, many questioned whether the momentum environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives experienced leading up to the crisis was sustainable. It has proven to be so, with an array…
Paul, Weiss to Host Strategic ESG Conversation in Partnership With New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business
- Feb 03, 2021
- Events
Paul, Weiss to Host Strategic ESG Conversation in Partnership With New York University’s Stern Center for Sustainable Business
The Paul, Weiss Sustainability & ESG Advisory Practice is partnering with NYU Stern to host a roundtable titled “Bridging the Divide of ESG: Linking Business and the Legal & Risk Ecosystems.”
Paul, Weiss Publishes 2020 U.S. Policymaker ESG Primer in Partnership With Refinitiv
- Jan 11, 2021
- Publications
Paul, Weiss Publishes 2020 U.S. Policymaker ESG Primer in Partnership With Refinitiv
The Sustainability and ESG Advisory practice published a white paper, “2020 U.S. Policymaker ESG Primer,” in partnership with Refinitiv, one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure.
David Curran Quoted in Corporate Counsel on Institutional Investors’ Rising Expectations of Corporate ESG Efforts and Reporting
- Jan 04, 2021
- Publications
David Curran Quoted in Corporate Counsel on Institutional Investors’ Rising Expectations of Corporate ESG Efforts and Reporting
Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer David Curran was quoted in a Corporate Counsel article, “Investors Are Watching ESG – in 2021, They Look to Measure It.”
FCA Adopts New Listing Rule Mandating Climate-related Disclosure in Annual Reports
- Dec 23, 2020
- Publications
FCA Adopts New Listing Rule Mandating Climate-related Disclosure in Annual Reports
The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently adopted a rule requiring commercial companies with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange to provide, on a modified comply-or-explain basis, disclosures on how they are…
Takeaways – Living the Values of ESG
- Dec 03, 2020
- Publications
Takeaways – Living the Values of ESG
Paul, Weiss, in collaboration with the NYU School of Law Center on Race, Inequality and the Law, hosted a webinar, “Living the Values of ESG.”
Nasdaq Proposes Board Diversity Requirements for Listed Companies
- Dec 03, 2020
- Publications
Nasdaq Proposes Board Diversity Requirements for Listed Companies
In a watershed moment for corporate governance in the United States, Nasdaq has proposed board diversity and disclosure requirements as a condition to continued listing. This is the latest in a series of developments spotlighting…
In Global First, the United Kingdom Moves Toward Mandatory Climate-related Disclosures by 2025
- Nov 25, 2020
- Publications
In Global First, the United Kingdom Moves Toward Mandatory Climate-related Disclosures by 2025
On November 9, 2020, the United Kingdom became the first country to move towards mandatory climate-related disclosures when it announced its intention to require such disclosures across seven key sectors of the UK economy.
A Harbinger of Things to Come? New York DFS Outlines Expectations for Regulated Entities on Financial Risks Arising from Climate Change
- Nov 13, 2020
- Publications
A Harbinger of Things to Come? New York DFS Outlines Expectations for Regulated Entities on Financial Risks Arising from Climate Change
The New York Department of Financial Services became the first U.S. regulator to publish expectations for regulated institutions related to climate change risk management.
Takeaways – Attorney General Loretta Lynch in Conversation with Thomas Kim
- Nov 04, 2020
- Publications
Takeaways – Attorney General Loretta Lynch in Conversation with Thomas Kim
On November 4, Paul, Weiss and Thomson Reuters hosted a fireside chat with litigation partner Loretta Lynch. The discussion was facilitated by Paul, Weiss Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer Dave Curran and Thomson Reuters Chief…
The U.S. Regulatory Framework for ESG Disclosures
- Jul 31, 2020
- Publications
The U.S. Regulatory Framework for ESG Disclosures
The SEC takes a principles-based, materiality-focused approach to disclosure that applies equally to environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures. This client alert, part of a series that reviews developments in the ESG…
Introduction to ESG
- Jul 09, 2020
- Publications
Introduction to ESG
Interest on the part of investors and other corporate stakeholders in environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters has surged in recent years, and the current economic, public health and social justice crises have only…
Takeaways – Spotlight on the “G” in ESG: Societal Shifts Collide with Traditional Corporate Governance
- Oct 06, 2020
- Publications
Takeaways – Spotlight on the “G” in ESG: Societal Shifts Collide with Traditional Corporate Governance
On October 6, 2020, Paul, Weiss and Nasdaq organized a joint roundtable via Zoom leading over 40 general counsel, heads of sustainability, corporate secretaries and board members in a discussion regarding how societal upheavals, such…
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Proposed Restrictions on ESG Investing
- Jun 29, 2020
- Publications
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Proposed Restrictions on ESG Investing
The Department of Labor recently proposed a rule that would establish that an ERISA fiduciary must evaluate and make investments on behalf of plans subject to ERISA solely on the basis of so-called “pecuniary factors,” and may not…
Private Investment Funds and ESG: EU Regulatory Changes on the Horizon
- Oct 05, 2020
- Publications
Private Investment Funds and ESG: EU Regulatory Changes on the Horizon
As part of the European Union’s Action Plan for Financing Sustainable Growth, two regulations will require financial market participants, financial advisers and other regulated firms to make new sustainability-related disclosures.…
ESG Disclosures: The Push for Consistent and Comparable Standards – United Kingdom
- Aug 19, 2020
- Publications
ESG Disclosures: The Push for Consistent and Comparable Standards – United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has been an early adopter of ESG regulations and guidelines; a number of recent initiatives in the United Kingdom highlight the extent to which a focus on ESG among corporates, investors and financial institutions…
ESG Disclosures: The Push for Consistent and Comparable Standards – Europe
- Aug 19, 2020
- Publications
ESG Disclosures: The Push for Consistent and Comparable Standards – Europe
The European Union has taken a leading role in advancing ESG disclosure requirements across the full spectrum of sustainability topics. Some of the initiatives are focused largely on climate issues, while others address broader…
ESG Disclosures: Frameworks and Standards Developed by Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations
- Sep 04, 2020
- Publications
ESG Disclosures: Frameworks and Standards Developed by Intergovernmental and Non-Governmental Organizations
As ESG matters have increasingly become the focus of investors and regulators, standards of disclosure created by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as industry participants, have gained market prominence.…
ESG Disclosures: Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
- Sep 04, 2020
- Publications
ESG Disclosures: Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
Since their publication in 2017, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations for voluntary disclosures by companies concerning their climate-related financial risks have emerged as a leading…
Two Recent Initiatives Aim to Unify the ESG Reporting Ecosystem
- Oct 20, 2020
- Publications
Two Recent Initiatives Aim to Unify the ESG Reporting Ecosystem
ESG reporting is increasingly recognized as a significant agenda item, yet the plethora of competing reporting frameworks and standards has caused concern and confusion among businesses and investors alike. Two recent initiatives—one…
Private Investment Funds and ESG: European Commission Delays Finalization of the SFDR’s Regulatory Technical Standards
- Oct 26, 2020
- Publications
Private Investment Funds and ESG: European Commission Delays Finalization of the SFDR’s Regulatory Technical Standards
The European Commission recently indicated that the effective date of certain SFDR disclosure requirements will be delayed to potentially as late as January 2022. As a result, only the principles-based requirements of the SFDR will…
Takeaways: Reflecting Forward – A View from the Inner Circle
- Jun 30, 2020
- Publications
Takeaways: Reflecting Forward – A View from the Inner Circle
Paul, Weiss recently hosted almost 50 senior Legal, Compliance, and Sustainability executives, directors and academic leaders in a closed-door roundtable discussion via Zoom to discuss how companies are adapting to the rapidly…
Awards & Recognition
David Curran Appointed Co-Chair of NYSBA ESG Committee
- Jan 07, 2021
- Awards
David Curran Appointed Co-Chair of NYSBA ESG Committee
Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer David Curran has been appointed co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s ESG Committee. The recently formed ESG Committee aims to actively monitor ESG developments, promote discussion of…