Counting leading UK-headquartered multinational corporates and financial institutions among its clients, Slaughter and May boasts a wealth of expertise on ESG and responsible business matters. David Watkins, who leads the team, focuses his practice on climate and net zero transition planning as well as sustainability risk and governance. Harry Hecht is a key contact on the integration of ESG and sustainability risk management within corporate and financing structures. Leading on business and human rights matters, Moira Thompson Oliver focuses on ESG, modern slavery, and supply chain due diligence. Samantha Brady is an expert on ESG, sustainability, and climate change risk within major corporate transactions. Natalie Goodman and Daniel Whitham provide key support.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Both Harry Hecht and Samantha Brady provide exceptional professional insight and guidance, founded not just on their understanding of legal and regulatory requirements, but on how these are most applicable and material to the client. Information is provided in the format that best suits client needs, ensuring that both detailed breakdowns and executive summaries are readily available for different audiences, and the team is on hand to support senior management meetings and decision-making when required.
- Extremely collaborative, approachable, and engaging team, backed up by excellent and detailed domain expertise.
- Remi Pfister and Samantha Brady have both been excellent in distilling complex matters into simple, strategic advice. They anticipate what we need, they are personable, and very knowledgeable at what they do. If it is relatively new legislation or guidance, they get to grips with interpreting what it means for us very quickly and applying a strategic lens.
- The Slaughter & May team is fantastic to work with; they take the time to understand our business, are always responsive, provide clear, strategic advice on complex matters, and are very personable. They take a very sensible risk-based approach. The ESG regulatory environment is developing at pace, and Slaughter & May's advice in this area has been invaluable to us over the last 2+ years.
- My experience working with Slaughter and May has been extremely positive. The team combines very strong legal expertise with a clear focus on practical and business-oriented advice, particularly in ESG, environmental, real estate, and risk advisory matters, where they are clearly among the leading firms. They work in a very well-organized and coordinated way, with partners closely involved and communication always clear and to the point. I would also highlight their 'best friends' network, which allows them to manage cross-border matters with a very high and consistent standard across jurisdictions. Compared to other firms, they stand out for their reliability, consistency, and ability to deliver clear advice without unnecessary complexity.
- The people I have worked with stand out for their strong technical skills and their practical, solution-focused approach. They are responsive, easy to work with, and able to explain complex matters in a clear way. I would particularly highlight Samantha Brady, who leads the environmental and climate change practice. She brings a high level of expertise and is especially effective in coordinating the firm’s international network, ensuring a consistent level of quality across different jurisdictions. Partners are closely engaged and provide reassurance throughout, while associates are reliable and very capable. Overall, the quality across the team is consistently high, which clearly differentiates them from other firms.
- Moira Thompson Oliver is incredible - her knowledge, expertise, industry connections, etc. Always calm and considered when providing counsel. I've learned a lot from her.
- This team provides excellent service in relation to human rights. They are very advanced in their knowledge and well-connected with key figures in the industry and at government. The team is always quick to respond with thoughtful guidance provided each time.
- Samantha Brady and her team have extensive expertise and experience in sustainability issues across multiple geographies, which are delivered as pragmatic advice.
- Leaders in their field - thought leadership. Very extensive knowledge and experience in many jurisdictions. Proactive in producing relevant and useful guides.
Key clients
- HSBC
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Drax Power Limited
- Johnson Matthey
- Reckitt Benckiser Group
- INEOS
- Centrica
- National Wealth Fund
- Edrington
- EG Group
- Burberry
- Richemont
- Arrow Group
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
- SEGRO
- Repsol
- United Utilities
- Hikma
- Aberdeen Group
Work highlights
Advised the National Wealth Fund on the design of its Environmental, Social, Resilience and Governance framework, including ESG risk management, compliance and disclosure obligations.
Advised Drax Power Limited on negotiations with the UK government in relation to the sustainability terms and ESG risks of a low-carbon dispatchable contract-for-difference for Drax Power Station.
Advised Johnson Matthey on the global ESG and environmental risks associated with the £1.8bn sale of its catalyst technologies business to Honeywell.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Moira Thompson Oliver
Practice head
David Watkins
Other key lawyers
Harry Hecht; Moira Thompson Oliver; Samantha Brady; Natalie Goodman; Daniel Whitham