Linklaters LLP acts for top-tier multinational clients on a range of governance and ESG matters and has recently been handling a large number of ESG and sustainability-linked loans and financings for high-profile banks. It draws on a range of practice areas to handle regulatory, human rights, governance and risk management issues. Vanessa Havard-Williams heads the practice and is a key contact for environmental and climate change matters, while Alexandra Beidas is recommended for remuneration matters, ESG and diversity issues. Other key contacts include Rachel Barrett, who also deals with ESG, Tom Cassels, who handles crisis and reputation management, Raza Naeem, who advises on regulatory and governance matters in the finance sector, and managing associate Aileen Buchanan, who is experienced in matters of disclosure.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The Linklaters team has a practical approach and depth of experience, supporting corporate governance from the boardroom through to operational level across organisations. In my experience, they work closely with their clients, bringing in expertise where it's needed. They are responsive and sensitive in dealing with delicate issues.'
- 'Vanessa Havard-Williams is a highly experienced lawyer with experience in corporate governance, particularly as this relates to ESG.'
- 'Extremely well organised and a pleasure to work with.'
Key clients
- IETA and ISDA
- Nestle
- Barclays
- Various mining industry companies
- Syngenta Group (HK) Holdings Company Limited
- Various asset managers (names are confidential)
- Republic of Chile
- Banco do Brasil
- KKR
- Ageas
- Tauron
- Goldman Sachs Asset Management
- Unilever
Work highlights
- Advising IETA in relation to the development of global market standard trading documentation for both the primary and the secondary carbon markets, together with a market guidance document for use with the draft forms of trading documentation.
- Undertook a detailed review of Unilever’s ESG-related disclosures and advised on incoming EU, UK and US ESG regulations, climate litigation and other ESG matters.
Lawyers
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Linklaters LLP
Aileen is a managing associate in Linklaters’ ESG team. She advises clients on a range of environmental, social and governance matters including disclosure and reporting requirements, policies and procedures, and applicable regulatory and soft law regimes. She has particular experience advising on environmental, social and security issues on energy and infrastructure projects, including the application of international sustainability standards such as the Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards and developing stakeholder expectations.
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Linklaters LLP
Rachel leads the Firm’s global ESG practice. She has deep expertise and exceptional breadth of experience advising on existing and incoming ESG regulation and soft law standards, ESG strategy and disclosures, sustainable finance products and frameworks, ESG governance and risk management and on stakeholder activism, litigation risk and crisis management.
Recently she has been recognised in the Fifty Most Influential in Sustainable Finance 2023 list by Financial News, as the go-to advisor on ESG matters by The Lawyer Hot 100 list as well as Next Generation Partner in the Environment and Corporate Governance by Legal 500.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Vanessa Havard-Williams