Sustainability & Responsible Business

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Helping clients embed sustainability and ethical business practices into core business strategies, turning compliance and risk management into a competitive advantage.

Overview

In today's rapidly evolving business environment, clients face increasing expectations from regulators, investors, customers, and communities to operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability. At Davis Wright Tremaine, our Sustainability & Responsible Business practice helps companies, investors, and organizations navigate this landscape with confidence, aligning purpose with performance while mitigating legal and reputational risk. We see beyond compliance and help our clients turn risks into opportunities.

We advise across the full spectrum of sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, combining deep subject matter expertise with a cross-disciplinary approach. Our team draws on experience across corporate governance, regulatory compliance, litigation, finance, and public policy to deliver holistic, practical solutions tailored to each client's objectives.

"There's incredible opportunity in aligning ESG with business strategy—if you do it right. Our approach is grounded not just in compliance, but in helping clients integrate sustainability and governance priorities into their operations in a way that actually drives results."

Stacey Sprenkel, Partner

Head of Sustainability & Responsible Business practice at Davis Wright Tremaine

What We Do

Risk Assessment & Corporate Governance

Helping clients conduct materiality and double-materiality assessments, strengthen board oversight, and design governance frameworks that align sustainability with business performance.
Explore the full suite of services from DWT's Compliance, Ethics, Risk & Governance practice.

Advising social enterprises, charities, and impact investors—including funds, family offices, and foundations—on structure, governance, compliance, and mission-aligned financing.

Evaluating ESG risks in M&A, financing, and joint ventures, including climate, supply chain, and human rights issues, as well as anti-corruption, trade, and AML compliance.
Guiding renewable and low-carbon energy projects, decarbonization strategies, and ESG-related tax credits, and structuring partnerships that advance energy transition goals.
Learn more about DWT’s Energy Infrastructure capabilities.
Navigating evolving disclosure regimes (California SB 253/261, SEC, EU CSRD) and voluntary frameworks (ISSB, TCFD), and developing tailored sustainability and human rights compliance strategies.
Designing and implementing enterprisewide compliance programs covering sanctions, anti-bribery, AML, antitrust, human rights, climate, and AI, and delivering customized training for leadership and staff.
Integrating human rights into governance and risk frameworks, conducting impact and saliency assessments, and managing proactive and responsive due diligence.
Advising on DEI strategy, disclosures, and audits, and defending programs in disputes. Through our DEI Counseling Practice, helping organizations design and implement programs that align business goals with evolving legal expectations.
Defending clients in ESG-related disputes, including greenwashing, shareholder, and consumer actions, and managing investigations and enforcement before state and federal regulators.
Structuring green, social, and sustainability-linked financings, integrating ESG considerations into investment strategies, and supporting innovative financial products advancing sustainability goals.
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Why Clients Choose Us

Our lawyers bring the perspective of seasoned litigators, regulatory practitioners, ethics and compliance professionals, and transactional advisors to anticipate challenges before they arise and to craft pragmatic, forward-looking solutions. We integrate insights across practices areas so clients receive seamless, business-oriented advice.

"We partner with our clients to identify opportunities and prepare for a future where ESG is a fact of life."

Sean Atkins, Partner
Co-chair, Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources

"We work with mission-driven organizations to build sustainable structures that create lasting impact."

Jean Tom, Partner
Chair, Tax-Exempt Organizations

"ESG is not something new for our firm. Our lawyers have been practicing in these areas a long time."

Chris Ford, Partner
Financial Services

Ready for What’s Next

From multinational corporations and financial institutions to emerging companies, investors, and nonprofit organizations, clients turn to us for strategic counsel at moments of opportunity and challenge. Our team is built to guide clients through today's scrutiny and tomorrow's opportunities—helping them manage risk, achieve impact, and build long-term resilience.

Contact Us

Ready to tackle your next challenge, or simply have questions? Let's talk. Our team is ready to help you navigate complexity with clarity, confidence, and results.