Herbert Smith Freehills beefs up energy, ESG practices to ride regulatory wave
ESG and energy regulation in Australia is moving at an unprecedented rate and large-law giant Herbert Smith Freehills is pushing itself to the forefront of the legal changes.
Businesses operating in Australia are facing more energy and environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulation than ever before, and that's changing the way Herbert Smith Freehills structures its work.
The top tier law firm has steered nearly a quarter of its graduates into its Projects, Energy and Infrastructure (PEI) or corporate ESG practices. The combined energy and infrastructure practice is also expanding globally, as lawyers increasingly work across a range of regulatory issues.
From new climate disclosure requirements echoing those seen in the UK, France, Germany and New Zealand, to complex government energy policy, Australian lead on ESG Timothy Stutt and global co-head of energy Nick Baker tell Capital Brief the changes can be overwhelming.
The regulatory climate, and a growth in private capital clients over the last decade seeking to be out in front on technology changes are driving law firms like Herbert Smith Freehills to broaden the expertise within its energy and ESG teams.
