Firm Responds to Increasing Corporate Responsibility Initiatives and Fast-Changing Regulatory Landscape with Multidisciplinary Team of Attorneys
Nashville, (October 12, 2021) – Bass, Berry & Sims is pleased to announce the formation of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Advisory Practice Group. As businesses face increasing pressure from regulators and stakeholders to meet ESG expectations, the firm has assembled a multidisciplinary team with extensive experience addressing the complex regulatory landscape and practical business considerations for success.
“As businesses, investors, regulators and other stakeholders increasingly recognize the importance of companies’ roles in our community as stewards for social and environmental good, we are excited to have assembled a collaborative team with diverse legal perspectives to address the myriad of considerations in every facet of their business,” said Bass, Berry & Sims member Sehrish Siddiqui who has been tasked with leading the group, “We go beyond a check-the-box type approach and work with clients to help achieve their business objectives while succeeding in their corporate responsibilities on important issues like climate change; governance; sustainability; social issues; and diversity, equity and inclusion.”
In addition to organizing a complementary group of attorneys among various practice areas, the firm also announces the launch of its ESG Impact Webinar Series. The first event in the series will be held November 10 and will focus on ESG matters related to regulatory updates, disclosure considerations, and stakeholder engagement. Additional information and registration details can be found here.
The new ESG Advisory Practice Group counsels businesses addressing ESG concerns both from within the organization and from investors, regulatory bodies and other outside entities, including navigating the quickly developing regulatory landscape and ongoing guidance from standard setters, shareholder advisory services, industry associations and regulators. The attorneys provide counsel through decisions related to reputational and litigation risk, including internal processes, public disclosures of ESG activity to meet both mandatory public reporting requirements, and calls for greater transparency. Additionally, the team advises on issues related to human capital and social responsibility; environment and sustainability; ESG scores and third-party ratings; corporate tax strategy; ESG investment and corporate transactions; and litigation, dispute resolution and investigations.
The multidisciplinary team draws on experience from across the firm’s wide-ranging legal practices, including corporate governance, public company advisory, securities and shareholder litigation, corporate transactions and investment (including M&A, private equity, venture capital and financings), shareholder activism, labor and employment, employee benefits and executive compensation, compliance and government investigations, and more. The team also includes a number of attorneys that previously held senior leadership positions for key federal agencies, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Prior to the formalization of the ESG practice group, the firm and its attorneys have been nationally recognized across a number of practice areas related to ESG for their counsel to private and public companies. Notably, the firm is recognized by Chambers USA in the areas of Environment, Corporate/M&A, Litigation – General Commercial, Labor & Employment and Real Estate.
For more information, please visit the firm’s website at: https://www.bassberry.com/services/corporate-and-securities/esg-advisory/.
About Bass, Berry & Sims PLC
With nearly 300 attorneys in offices in Washington, D.C. and Tennessee, Bass, Berry & Sims represents numerous publicly traded companies and Fortune 500 businesses in significant litigation, investigations, international regulatory matters, and business transactions. Our attorneys work seamlessly across substantive practice disciplines, industries and geographies to deliver highly effective service and business-focused solutions. For more information, visit bassberry.com.