Hogan Lovells wins the overall international trophy for IJGlobal ESG Legal Adviser Award with one of the judges labelling the law firm the “most forward-thinking” in this space.

Another of the judges said: “Hogan Lovells has submitted a good submission – well organised and covering all key ESG bases. It covers innovation in a few examples and also provides transactional examples.”

Yet another judge said that Hogan Lovells evidenced “lots of policies and commitments as well as project examples that mark this law firm out as a clear leader in the ESG field.”

According to the Hogan Lovells submission: “Our approach to ESG, which focuses on 5 practice areas, is coupled with our industry focused approach, which lets us leverage our knowledge of how ESG laws and regulations affect clients and provide comprehensive advice.

“Our consulting model HL ESG360 delivers systematic solutions through a whole business model approach. We are also ideally positioned to advise clients on global ESG regulation and highly contentious ESG-related matters for clients across the globe.

“We thrive on innovation and first-of-a-kind projects and we are fast emerging as the go-to firm for the possibilities presented by Space Mining, hydrogen-powered aircraft, and green steel.

“Our position is also widely recognised in the global legal industry – for example after establishing the leading online ESG policy and regulation guide, HL ESG Global Vision, several law firms in other jurisdictions asked to support or join our platform simply because they recognised it as the best.

“We are especially proud of our focus on governance and the rule of law in the most critical areas. In addition to the experience set out above and in previous sections, this has included our hiring of the leading US legal voice on ESG and good governance – Karl Racine, the AG for DC – through to our report on Rule of Law and ESG issues.”

The submission continues: “We were first in the market to train all our lawyers in Sustainability & ESG through HL BaSE which was born before ESG was a buzzword in law.

“No other firm is sought after by blue chip clients across all practices, specialisations, industries and jurisdictions as ESG Counsel. We have been a leading voice in ‘making the market’ via the WEF, engaging with governments and NGOs across multiple matters and fostering change, e.g., through our founding membership of TNFD which is driving the focus on biodiversity – arguably the most significant development in the ESG market.

“Finally, we are committed to playing a leadership role in driving inclusive and sustainable development in which people and planet prosper, and this is key to our legitimacy as the leading ESG legal adviser.

“Working collaboratively within our firm, within our communities and society, and with our clients, we use the law to build a better world for all. We work to contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to deliver against our own commitments across diversity, equity and inclusion and wellbeing; sustainability; and pro bono, community investment and fundraising partnerships.”