Ogletree Deakins Launches Environmental, Social, and Governance Practice Group
Friday, March 24th, 2023
Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce the launch of the firm’s nationwide Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practice Group. The group, led by shareholders Charles Baldwin(Indianapolis) and Simone Francis (St. Thomas and New York), is focused on the human capital issues inherent in ESG.
“We recognize ESG involves unique and sometimes difficult challenges, and that employers would like to develop and comply with those initiatives while minimizing the potential for audits, shareholder demands, litigation, and other adverse, reputational outcomes,” said Baldwin and Francis, co-chairs of the Environmental, Social, and Governance Practice Group. “Our goal is to provide firm clients with business-oriented and practical solutions as they navigate the myriad of issues that arise in connection with ESG initiatives.”
Ogletree Deakins’ ESG Practice Group is comprised of an interdisciplinary group of more than 25 attorney advisors who handle pay equity, executive compensation, diversity and inclusion, and traditional labor matters. The group offers employers practical insights and advice related to ESG initiatives, including proactive and privileged audits on human capital issues, guidance concerning the development of ESG human capital initiatives for public and private companies, and assistance to public companies confronting ESG-related shareholder proposals.
Baldwin has been with the firm for more than 20 years, including as a former Managing Director. He has spent his career advocating for management in all aspects of labor and employment law matters. Francis, who also currently serves at the office managing shareholder of the firm’s St. Thomas office, has been with the firm for 20 years. She effectively spearheads and collaborates with external and internal teams to identify and deliver proactive solutions to clients on a range of topics, including diversity and inclusion issues, and represents employers in contested proceedings.
The firm’s ESG Practice Group will also receive valuable input from the members on its Steering Committee, including shareholders Rodolfo Agraz(labor), Kelly Cardin (pay equity), and John Morrison (executive compensation).
