ESG & Sustainability

Helping clients achieve their business, compliance, and ethical goals for the good of their people, their communities, and the environment.

Finding Your Way to the Future

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns are increasingly important to long-term business success and affect people and organizations across all sectors. Whether you're charting a path to decarbonization or NetZero, seeking double bottom-line investment opportunities, addressing diversity and inclusion needs, or developing new data privacy and security strategies—ESG matters now, and will matter even more in the years ahead.

As we confront new legally mandated disclosures, as consumers favor sustainable companies invested in their workers and the community, and as investors look to future-proof their portfolios, our team can help you harmonize your business objectives with your environmental and social priorities, meet the challenges of the ESG journey, and realize your companywide goals.

We advise clients—including public and private companies, asset managers, financial services providers, utilities, developers, and investors—on the full spectrum of ESG-related matters.

Our environmental and energy attorneys are well-versed in federal, state, and local laws and regulations you face today—and we're positioned to help you stay in front of what you'll likely face tomorrow.

Our lawyers and leadership are at the forefront of advising companies and investors on how to align their business and financial goals with their desired social impact. From advancing crucial diversity and inclusion principles, to furthering employee health and safety, customer data privacy, and corporate social responsibility, we can guide you on achieving your social impact goals in the marketplace, workplace and public space, while navigating the ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape.

Success means establishing sound governance structures that reinforce your company's ESG priorities at all levels. Boards must evaluate where the company can have the greatest positive impact on its stakeholders, the community, and the natural environment—while remaining vigilant of the bottom line. Our team can help you establish robust governance structures.

Reason for ESG

With climate change an existential threat to humanity and calls for social responsibility and equal opportunity ringing throughout the communities our clients call home, the need for corporate governance and accountability is urgent. Watch our ESG@DWT leaders discuss what each of those letters means to them as people, lawyers, and members of their own communities—and why DWT is well-positioned to help clients of all stripes meet the challenges and find the potential of the ESG journey.

We help you strategically navigate your ESG legal issues. We are our clients' go-to trusted advisors, enabling you to do well as you do good.

We deliver coordinated expertise at the intersection of energy, environmental and natural resources, tax-exempt organization law, financial services, privacy + security, employment, and more, providing our clients with a 360-degree perspective on today's issues, as well as those around the corner.

Leading With Experience

Because every type of client has a stake in ESG, we draw our ESG brain trust from nationally ranked practice groups across the firm. Equipped with decades of experience, we meet our clients where they are today and help them chart a future where ESG is a key factor for a wide range of strategic decisions.

Charting Your ESG Course

We help you chart an ESG course that reflects your vision, culture, and identity. We help inventory your current ESG practices and based on what is working, advise on opportunities and long-term strategy. We will identify legal risks and obligations, assist with litigation and regulatory enforcement actions, help mitigate reputation management risks, and educate your leadership on breaking ESG developments. We'll be by your side for each step as you pursue your long-term ESG goals.

We Walk the Walk

More than a suite of services, we offer a mindset. Our nationally recognized Pro Bono + Social Impact team, Project W women's initiative, DEI team, and Climate Network and Sustainability Commitment work hand-in-hand with some of the world's leading companies to foster a more equitable, just, and sustainable future.

"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

"I help clients advance their goals and mission every day."

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

Navigating Your DEI Journey

DEI is a central component of the ESG work of many companies. As the legal landscape and expectations around DEI evolve across the country, our groundbreaking DEI Consulting Practice can help you meet the growing challenges in this crucial area.

DEI Counseling