Unrivaled experience
A2 is unique among law firms in the depth and breadth of our practical experience. We have advised an array of the world's leading companies across sectors on all dimensions of human rights strategy and governance.
Sample
Work
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Strategy
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Governance
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Due Diligence
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Crises & Disputes
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Disclosure & Reporting
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Legal Opinions
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All
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
We were engaged as lead counsel to conduct a global human rights risk assessment across the company’s value chain—from small holder farmers and artisanal miners through operations and downstream to marketing, distribution, and recycling of the company’s products. The assessment is a cornerstone of the company's human rights strategy to meet regulatory requirements and investor expectations, manage relationships with civil society groups, and mitigate litigation risk.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Ongoing legal and strategic advice regarding human rights governance and risk management, including policy and program design, stakeholder engagement, and disclosure. Developed human rights strategy for sponsorship of sporting events and advised on engagement with stakeholders, including investors and government, regarding same. Counsel in OECD National Contact Point proceedings regarding minority union rights.
Fortune 100 Industrial Conglomerate
Ongoing legal advice regarding alignment of corporate governance and human rights decision-making with legal and stakeholder expectations. Conducted assessment of existing corporate grievance mechanism and project-level mechanism framework for alignment with Guiding Principles.
European Pharmaceutical Company
We conducted a global human rights governance assessment with reference to six key corporate human rights standards and laws, including the Guiding Principles, the SCDDA, the Draft European Commission Directive, the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance. The project included the development of detailed indicators for each standard and law as well as discrete, integrated indicators to assess preparedness for the suite of existing and emerging laws; engagement with a wide array of internal leaders across functions; and the development of discrete and practical governance recommendations to align with and enhance the company’s existing human rights program.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Analyzed on array of sustainability-related legal, financial, and brand risks facing a leading European fast-moving goods company. Assessed key brand and government relations opportunities in light of business strategy and new product lines. Developed comprehensive strategy and practical roadmap to shape narrative in sustainability reports, improve policies and training, engage with investors, and prioritize onsite due diligence across global operations.
US Technology Company
We were engaged as counsel to conduct (i) a global human rights risk assessment and (ii) a human rights governance review. The risk assessment assessed the company's human rights risks in its upstream supply chain, its own operations, and its downstream value chain with reference to relevant national and international law. The project included an assessment of the strength of enterprise-level risk-management protocols with reference to law and industry standards.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Conducted global human rights governance assessment with reference to emerging legal requirements, Guiding Principles, peer practice, and key stakeholder expectations. Assessed strength of key policies and programs with reference to forward-looking governance expectations (legal and voluntary). Developed revised overarching human rights strategy to navigate emerging risks, drafted new human rights and supplier policies, and conducted internal capacity building.
Global Mining Company
Conducted global risk and strategy assessment based on Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, litigation and regulatory risk, material investor concerns, and the responsible procurement procedures of key clients. Identified priority operations and markets for due diligence based on material and salient risks.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Advised on the design and launch of the Business Integrity Group, a unique practice to help clients navigate global non-financial risk with integrated advice on corruption, human rights, environment, and money-laundering governance. Developed legal opinions and client tools for effective governance structures with a view to emerging legal risk, integrated due diligence, and resilient policy design.
Canadian Crown Corporation
Advised export-promotion agency on the development of responsible business policy and integrated human rights due diligence indicators to flow upstream and downstream. Developed human rights policy, due diligence indicators, and internal guidance for full value-chain due diligence to be integrated with corruption and export-control compliance.
Fortune 100 Automotive Company
Global assessment of material business risks with an emphasis on a US labor relations dispute. Analyzed policies and procedures and assessed global operations; undertook comprehensive gap analysis with reference to UN Global Compact indicators. Conducted benchmarking exercise of peers and competitors, focusing on environmental targets and performance.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Review of ESG strategy to develop coherent narrative tailored to company’s products, operations, value chain, and growth strategy. Involved assessing material investor risks and legal risks with reference to Guiding Principles, Sustainable Development Goals, and existing governance.
Fortune 100 Bank
Advised on the relevant legal and reputational risks to consider in developing human rights governance policies and procedures in line with Guiding Principles.
European Private Equity Fund
Advised on the strategic benefits and legal risks of developing a responsible investment policy and governance program. Analysis considered expectations of key pension fund investors; practicality of portfolio governance across 70 companies; relevant key performance indicators for portfolio disclosure; and risks of overcommitment in limited partner agreements.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Conducted global assessment of material human rights-related business risks and opportunities. Analyzed specific expectations of top ten investors and ranking institutions. Reviewed operational footprint to understand material litigation risks and regulatory expectations. Conducted benchmarking exercise of sustainability governance against peers and competitors, with reference to stakeholder expectations and legal risk.
Industrial Conglomerate
We were engaged assess enterprise-wide complaints mechanisms for alignment with German and emerging EU law. The assessment resulted in a practical roadmap to enhance the scope and governance of the mechanisms at corporate and site-level. We have now been engaged to design and implement a supplier-level human rights grievance mechanism for the sub-tier supply chain.
US Technology Company
We have been engaged to design and launch a pilot human rights grievance mechanism accessible to workers across the supply chain. The design is to meet increasingly onerous compliance requirements under German and emerging EU law while navigating trade sanctions and litigation risk in the United States. The engagement entails developing and deploying an entirely new form of mechanism, leveraging a technology firm and civil society partnership to test challenges with the aim of developing a roadmap for a scalable system across countries.
US Technology Company
We were engaged to conduct on-the-ground human rights impact assessments in three jurisdictions in Asia. The assessments involve broad engagement within and outside the company to develop targeted recommendations tailored to compliance with US and European regulation and effective management of brand and operational risks.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
We were engaged as lead counsel to conduct a global human rights risk assessment across the company’s value chain—from small holder farmers and artisanal miners through operations and downstream to marketing, distribution, and recycling of the company’s products. The assessment is a cornerstone of the company's human rights strategy to meet regulatory requirements and investor expectations, manage relationships with civil society groups, and mitigate litigation risk.
European Minerals Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment based on operations and value chain. Identified high-risk markets for priority onsite assessment. Led human rights impact assessment of significant operations in Latin America; mapped salient and material risks; engaged with government officials, civil society, workers, and communities; drafted report with prioritized, risk-based recommendations.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Ongoing legal and strategic advice regarding human rights governance and risk management, including policy and program design, stakeholder engagement, and disclosure. Developed human rights strategy for sponsorship of sporting events and advised on engagement with stakeholders, including investors and government, regarding same. Counsel in OECD National Contact Point proceedings regarding minority union rights.
Fortune 100 Industrial Conglomerate
Ongoing legal advice regarding alignment of corporate governance and human rights decision-making with legal and stakeholder expectations. Conducted assessment of existing corporate grievance mechanism and project-level mechanism framework for alignment with Guiding Principles.
European Pharmaceutical Company
We conducted a global human rights governance assessment with reference to six key corporate human rights standards and laws, including the Guiding Principles, the SCDDA, the Draft European Commission Directive, the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance. The project included the development of detailed indicators for each standard and law as well as discrete, integrated indicators to assess preparedness for the suite of existing and emerging laws; engagement with a wide array of internal leaders across functions; and the development of discrete and practical governance recommendations to align with and enhance the company’s existing human rights program.
European Minerals Company
Conducted Guiding Principles-based assessment of grievance mechanisms, with specific focus on Latin American operations. Engaged with array of stakeholders. Developed detailed action plan to enhance mechanism.
Barrick Gold
Conducted public assessment of first grievance mechanism designed to align with Guiding Principles for effectiveness under voluntary standards and international law. Indicator framework based on Guiding Principles and international law; engagement with affected stakeholders in Papua New Guinea; engagement with international experts, organizations, and civil society groups; drafting of public report; and, post-report engagement with civil society, experts, and plaintiffs’ counsel.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Conducted detailed review of existing grievance mechanisms for alignment with Guiding Principles. Broad benchmarking across industries. Developed improvement strategy and practical roadmap.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Advised on content and structure of human rights policy to ensure alignment with international law, Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and UN Global Compact. Focused on precise structure of public commitment to international human rights based on reasonable expectations of private enterprise.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Conducted global governance assessment of human rights-related policies and due diligence protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, investor expectations, and peer benchmarking.
US Technology Company
We were engaged as counsel to conduct (i) a global human rights risk assessment and (ii) a human rights governance review. The risk assessment assessed the company's human rights risks in its upstream supply chain, its own operations, and its downstream value chain with reference to relevant national and international law. The project included an assessment of the strength of enterprise-level risk-management protocols with reference to law and industry standards.
Global Technology Company
Conducted global human rights governance assessment of oversight structure with reference to emerging legal requirements under the SCDDA, Norwegian Transparency Act, and Draft European Parliament Due Diligence Directive. Drafted legal memo advising on implications of emerging law for decision-making structure and human rights mandate. Conducted global human rights risk assessment across corporate value chain to identify discrete governance requirements per salient human rights risk.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Conducted global human rights governance assessment with reference to emerging legal requirements, Guiding Principles, peer practice, and key stakeholder expectations. Assessed strength of key policies and programs with reference to forward-looking governance expectations (legal and voluntary). Developed revised overarching human rights strategy to navigate emerging risks, drafted new human rights and supplier policies, and conducted internal capacity building.
European Life Sciences Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment under legal privilege to identify salient and material risks across global value chain. Assessed strength of all human-rights related policies and protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and SCDDA; benchmarked governance to peers; engaged with broad array of internal and external stakeholders; developed risk-specific governance recommendations and overarching governance recommendations with reference to material regulator, investor, and stakeholder expectations.
Global Mining Company
Advised on structuring a grievance mechanism and engagement with plaintiffs law firm to address allegations of security-related human rights abuses in line with Guiding Principles.
Fortune 100 Bank
Advised on development of a tiered due diligence program to assess human rights risks and develop appropriate responses to address legal and reputational risk in transactions with state-owned enterprises.
Multiple Fortune 100 Companies
Delivered specialized training for senior executives on global modern slavery governance, UK Modern Slavery Act compliance, and general social risk key performance indicators.
Responsible Investors and ESG Research Institutions
Provided training on material and salient human rights risks facing companies in key sectors. Advised on structured approach to portfolio due diligence and company engagement, including indicators of effective governance.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Advised on content and structure of human rights policy to ensure alignment with international law, Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and UN Global Compact. Focused in particular on precise structure of public commitment to international human rights based on reasonable expectations of private enterprise.
American Private Equity Fund
Advised on the integration of appropriate responsible investing clauses in agreements with limited partners; considered, in particular, structure of reasonable sustainability governance across portfolio companies.
Liberty Asia
Advised on pilot grievance mechanism focused on modern slavery in Thailand. Drafted rules for local businesses and appeals process to secretariat.
High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA)
Advised on development of draft grievance mechanism with network approach and tiers of appeal. Focused specifically on process alignment with Guiding Principles and practicality.
Canadian Crown Corporation
Advised export-promotion agency on the development of responsible business policy and integrated human rights due diligence indicators to flow upstream and downstream. Developed human rights policy, due diligence indicators, and internal guidance for full value-chain due diligence to be integrated with corruption and export-control compliance.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Advised a leading global fast-moving consumer products company on the design and development of its sustainability governance, including a gap analysis of existing ethics governance. Involved drafting of human rights and environmental policies; developing management structure to meet international standards and preserve corporate separateness; structuring of multi-tier supply chain due diligence program; training for senior management and functional personnel; and grievance mechanism design.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Conducting two, on-the-ground human rights impact assessments spanning the whole corporate value chain in Brazil and India. The process will involve risk mapping with reference to national and international law; a governance assessment of local risk-management policies and protocols of bottlers, suppliers, distributors; engagement with civil society groups (national and international); and onsite interviews with workers, community leaders, and local government officials.
Global Mining Company
We were engaged to conduct a privileged investigation of allegations of human rights abuse against artisanal miners at a project in Latin America. We engaged extensively with corporate personnel to understand the project history and risk-management protocols; we then conducted an onsite visit to three locations to interview company personnel, security providers, artisanal miners, community leaders, and government officials. Based on that analysis we developed a set of particular and general recommendations regarding the company's human rights governance.
US Technology Company
We were engaged to conduct on-the-ground human rights impact assessments in three jurisdictions in Asia. The assessments involve broad engagement within and outside the company to develop targeted recommendations tailored to compliance with US and European regulation and effective management of brand and operational risks.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
We were engaged as lead counsel to conduct a global human rights risk assessment across the company’s value chain—from small holder farmers and artisanal miners through operations and downstream to marketing, distribution, and recycling of the company’s products. The assessment is a cornerstone of the company's human rights strategy to meet regulatory requirements and investor expectations, manage relationships with civil society groups, and mitigate litigation risk.
US Technology Company
We were engaged to conduct a privileged investigation related to allegations of child labor in the sub-tier supply chain. We then developed targeted and practical guidance with reference to US law and industry standards.
European Minerals Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment based on operations and value chain. Identified high-risk markets for priority onsite assessment. Led human rights impact assessment of significant operations in Latin America; mapped salient and material risks; engaged with government officials, civil society, workers, and communities; drafted report with prioritized, risk-based recommendations.
US Technology Company
We were engaged as counsel to conduct (i) a global human rights risk assessment and (ii) a human rights governance review. The risk assessment assessed the company's human rights risks in its upstream supply chain, its own operations, and its downstream value chain with reference to relevant national and international law. The project included an assessment of the strength of enterprise-level risk-management protocols with reference to law and industry standards.
European Life Sciences Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment under legal privilege to identify salient and material risks across global value chain. Assessed strength of all human-rights related policies and protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and SCDDA; benchmarked governance to peers; engaged with broad array of internal and external stakeholders; developed risk-specific governance recommendations and overarching governance recommendations with reference to material regulator, investor, and stakeholder expectations.
Fortune 100 Industrial Conglomerate
Conducted global human rights risk assessment across business divisions and value chain. Assessed strength of human rights-related risk-management protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board. Developed and helped implement governance recommendations, including restructuring oversight, revising policies, and developing functional implementation materials.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Global ESG risk assessment—across operations, supply chain, and customers—to identify priority social and environmental risks for company to address in line with voluntary sustainability commitments. Results serve as foundation for strategy design, grievance mechanism review, and reporting strategy.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment—extending from supply chain to consumers. Developed progressive strategy and indicator framework for targeted onsite human rights impact assessments. Developed company-wide action plan to improve specific policies and procedures based on priority human rights risks and gaps in existing governance.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Structured and oversaw privileged human rights assessments of four operations in distinct, high-risk regions across the globe. Developed due diligence indicators and questions; engaged with internal stakeholders and external consultant to ensure buy-in and targeted approach; processed final report to manage potential business risks.
Industrial Conglomerate
We were engaged assess enterprise-wide complaints mechanisms for alignment with German and emerging EU law. The assessment resulted in a practical roadmap to enhance the scope and governance of the mechanisms at corporate and site-level. We have now been engaged to design and implement a supplier-level human rights grievance mechanism for the sub-tier supply chain.
US Technology Company
We have been engaged to design and launch a pilot human rights grievance mechanism accessible to workers across the supply chain. The design is to meet increasingly onerous compliance requirements under German and emerging EU law while navigating trade sanctions and litigation risk in the United States. The engagement entails developing and deploying an entirely new form of mechanism, leveraging a technology firm and civil society partnership to test challenges with the aim of developing a roadmap for a scalable system across countries.
Global Mining Company
We were engaged to conduct a privileged investigation of allegations of human rights abuse against artisanal miners at a project in Latin America. We engaged extensively with corporate personnel to understand the project history and risk-management protocols; we then conducted an onsite visit to three locations to interview company personnel, security providers, artisanal miners, community leaders, and government officials. Based on that analysis we developed a set of particular and general recommendations regarding the company's human rights governance.
US Technology Company
We were engaged to conduct a privileged investigation related to allegations of child labor in the sub-tier supply chain. We then developed targeted and practical guidance with reference to US law and industry standards.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Ongoing legal and strategic advice regarding human rights governance and risk management, including policy and program design, stakeholder engagement, and disclosure. Developed human rights strategy for sponsorship of sporting events and advised on engagement with stakeholders, including investors and government, regarding same. Counsel in OECD National Contact Point proceedings regarding minority union rights.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Advised on navigating several stakeholder challenges, including multiple reports from international civil society groups, proceedings before the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, and various shareholder resolutions on human rights.
Commercial Disputes
Counsel for multiple leading multinationals in commercial disputes before all levels of court in United States and Canada; investor-state arbitration before International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes; and international commercial arbitrations before International Chamber of Commerce, London Court of International Arbitration, and Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
Human Rights Litigation
Conducted international and domestic litigation in the UK High Court, County Court, and European Court of Human Rights. Core practice areas included discrimination and equality, privacy rights, data protection and cyberbullying, harassment, whistleblowing, counter-terrorism legislation, citizenship and child sexual abuse.
Multiple Global Oil & Gas Companies
Advised on addressing allegations of climate change-related adverse human rights impact before Philippines Commission on Human Rights.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Advised on OECD National Contact Point proceedings concerning downstream labor practices of a state-owned enterprise.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Advised on responding to allegations of negligent human rights risk management in litigation against parent company in UK.
Barrick Gold
Conducted public assessment of first grievance mechanism designed to align with Guiding Principles for effectiveness under voluntary standards and international law. Indicator framework based on Guiding Principles and international law; engagement with affected stakeholders in Papua New Guinea; engagement with international experts, organizations, and civil society groups; drafting of public report; and, post-report engagement with civil society, experts, and plaintiffs’ counsel.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Drafted and edited various sustainability reports and disclosures, including annual Global Compact reports, engagements with expert stakeholders, and specific human rights action plans. Advised on disclosures and engagement with key ratings agencies regarding human rights program.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Drafted and edited Modern Slavery Act statements; drafted and edited sustainability sections of integrated financial disclosures. Developed disclosure strategy with reference to revised business objectives and target industries to align with Sustainable Development Goals and Guiding Principles.
Accountability Framework Initiative
Advised on human rights elements of ethical supply chain initiative, with particular focus on scope of effective remedy.
UN Global Compact
Developed best practice guidance on how to align supply chain human rights due diligence with Guiding Principles for principled risk prioritization.
UNICEF
Advised UNICEF on the development of Children’s Rights and Business Principles and practical guidance.
Global Technology Company
Conducted global human rights governance assessment of oversight structure with reference to emerging legal requirements under the SCDDA, Norwegian Transparency Act, and Draft European Parliament Due Diligence Directive. Drafted legal memo advising on implications of emerging law for decision-making structure and human rights mandate. Conducted global human rights risk assessment across corporate value chain to identify discrete governance requirements per salient human rights risk.
Multiple Fortune 100 Companies
Developed guidance on the meaning of specific, complex human rights, including the definition of complex consumer human rights, modern slavery, sexual violence, remedy, and procedural fairness when adapted to the private sector.
OECD Secretariat
Guidance on the practical meaning of “cause”, “contribute”, and “directly linked” under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise when applying a legal interpretive approach.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Advised on the design and launch of the Business Integrity Group, a unique practice to help clients navigate global non-financial risk with integrated advice on corruption, human rights, environment, and money-laundering governance. Developed legal opinions and client tools for effective governance structures with a view to emerging legal risk, integrated due diligence, and resilient policy design.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Conducting two, on-the-ground human rights impact assessments spanning the whole corporate value chain in Brazil and India. The process will involve risk mapping with reference to national and international law; a governance assessment of local risk-management policies and protocols of bottlers, suppliers, distributors; engagement with civil society groups (national and international); and onsite interviews with workers, community leaders, and local government officials.
Industrial Conglomerate
We were engaged assess enterprise-wide complaints mechanisms for alignment with German and emerging EU law. The assessment resulted in a practical roadmap to enhance the scope and governance of the mechanisms at corporate and site-level. We have now been engaged to design and implement a supplier-level human rights grievance mechanism for the sub-tier supply chain.
US Technology Company
We have been engaged to design and launch a pilot human rights grievance mechanism accessible to workers across the supply chain. The design is to meet increasingly onerous compliance requirements under German and emerging EU law while navigating trade sanctions and litigation risk in the United States. The engagement entails developing and deploying an entirely new form of mechanism, leveraging a technology firm and civil society partnership to test challenges with the aim of developing a roadmap for a scalable system across countries.
Global Mining Company
We were engaged to conduct a privileged investigation of allegations of human rights abuse against artisanal miners at a project in Latin America. We engaged extensively with corporate personnel to understand the project history and risk-management protocols; we then conducted an onsite visit to three locations to interview company personnel, security providers, artisanal miners, community leaders, and government officials. Based on that analysis we developed a set of particular and general recommendations regarding the company's human rights governance.
US Technology Company
We were engaged to conduct on-the-ground human rights impact assessments in three jurisdictions in Asia. The assessments involve broad engagement within and outside the company to develop targeted recommendations tailored to compliance with US and European regulation and effective management of brand and operational risks.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
We were engaged as lead counsel to conduct a global human rights risk assessment across the company’s value chain—from small holder farmers and artisanal miners through operations and downstream to marketing, distribution, and recycling of the company’s products. The assessment is a cornerstone of the company's human rights strategy to meet regulatory requirements and investor expectations, manage relationships with civil society groups, and mitigate litigation risk.
US Technology Company
We were engaged to conduct a privileged investigation related to allegations of child labor in the sub-tier supply chain. We then developed targeted and practical guidance with reference to US law and industry standards.
European Minerals Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment based on operations and value chain. Identified high-risk markets for priority onsite assessment. Led human rights impact assessment of significant operations in Latin America; mapped salient and material risks; engaged with government officials, civil society, workers, and communities; drafted report with prioritized, risk-based recommendations.
Accountability Framework Initiative
Advised on human rights elements of ethical supply chain initiative, with particular focus on scope of effective remedy.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Ongoing legal and strategic advice regarding human rights governance and risk management, including policy and program design, stakeholder engagement, and disclosure. Developed human rights strategy for sponsorship of sporting events and advised on engagement with stakeholders, including investors and government, regarding same. Counsel in OECD National Contact Point proceedings regarding minority union rights.
Fortune 100 Industrial Conglomerate
Ongoing legal advice regarding alignment of corporate governance and human rights decision-making with legal and stakeholder expectations. Conducted assessment of existing corporate grievance mechanism and project-level mechanism framework for alignment with Guiding Principles.
UN Global Compact
Developed best practice guidance on how to align supply chain human rights due diligence with Guiding Principles for principled risk prioritization.
UNICEF
Advised UNICEF on the development of Children’s Rights and Business Principles and practical guidance.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Advised on navigating several stakeholder challenges, including multiple reports from international civil society groups, proceedings before the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, and various shareholder resolutions on human rights.
European Pharmaceutical Company
We conducted a global human rights governance assessment with reference to six key corporate human rights standards and laws, including the Guiding Principles, the SCDDA, the Draft European Commission Directive, the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance. The project included the development of detailed indicators for each standard and law as well as discrete, integrated indicators to assess preparedness for the suite of existing and emerging laws; engagement with a wide array of internal leaders across functions; and the development of discrete and practical governance recommendations to align with and enhance the company’s existing human rights program.
European Minerals Company
Conducted Guiding Principles-based assessment of grievance mechanisms, with specific focus on Latin American operations. Engaged with array of stakeholders. Developed detailed action plan to enhance mechanism.
Barrick Gold
Conducted public assessment of first grievance mechanism designed to align with Guiding Principles for effectiveness under voluntary standards and international law. Indicator framework based on Guiding Principles and international law; engagement with affected stakeholders in Papua New Guinea; engagement with international experts, organizations, and civil society groups; drafting of public report; and, post-report engagement with civil society, experts, and plaintiffs’ counsel.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Conducted detailed review of existing grievance mechanisms for alignment with Guiding Principles. Broad benchmarking across industries. Developed improvement strategy and practical roadmap.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Advised on content and structure of human rights policy to ensure alignment with international law, Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and UN Global Compact. Focused on precise structure of public commitment to international human rights based on reasonable expectations of private enterprise.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Analyzed on array of sustainability-related legal, financial, and brand risks facing a leading European fast-moving goods company. Assessed key brand and government relations opportunities in light of business strategy and new product lines. Developed comprehensive strategy and practical roadmap to shape narrative in sustainability reports, improve policies and training, engage with investors, and prioritize onsite due diligence across global operations.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Conducted global governance assessment of human rights-related policies and due diligence protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, investor expectations, and peer benchmarking.
US Technology Company
We were engaged as counsel to conduct (i) a global human rights risk assessment and (ii) a human rights governance review. The risk assessment assessed the company's human rights risks in its upstream supply chain, its own operations, and its downstream value chain with reference to relevant national and international law. The project included an assessment of the strength of enterprise-level risk-management protocols with reference to law and industry standards.
Global Technology Company
Conducted global human rights governance assessment of oversight structure with reference to emerging legal requirements under the SCDDA, Norwegian Transparency Act, and Draft European Parliament Due Diligence Directive. Drafted legal memo advising on implications of emerging law for decision-making structure and human rights mandate. Conducted global human rights risk assessment across corporate value chain to identify discrete governance requirements per salient human rights risk.
Fortune 100 Food & Beverage Company
Conducted global human rights governance assessment with reference to emerging legal requirements, Guiding Principles, peer practice, and key stakeholder expectations. Assessed strength of key policies and programs with reference to forward-looking governance expectations (legal and voluntary). Developed revised overarching human rights strategy to navigate emerging risks, drafted new human rights and supplier policies, and conducted internal capacity building.
European Life Sciences Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment under legal privilege to identify salient and material risks across global value chain. Assessed strength of all human-rights related policies and protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and SCDDA; benchmarked governance to peers; engaged with broad array of internal and external stakeholders; developed risk-specific governance recommendations and overarching governance recommendations with reference to material regulator, investor, and stakeholder expectations.
Fortune 100 Industrial Conglomerate
Conducted global human rights risk assessment across business divisions and value chain. Assessed strength of human rights-related risk-management protocols with reference to Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board. Developed and helped implement governance recommendations, including restructuring oversight, revising policies, and developing functional implementation materials.
Global Mining Company
Advised on structuring a grievance mechanism and engagement with plaintiffs law firm to address allegations of security-related human rights abuses in line with Guiding Principles.
Fortune 100 Bank
Advised on development of a tiered due diligence program to assess human rights risks and develop appropriate responses to address legal and reputational risk in transactions with state-owned enterprises.
Multiple Fortune 100 Companies
Delivered specialized training for senior executives on global modern slavery governance, UK Modern Slavery Act compliance, and general social risk key performance indicators.
Global Mining Company
Conducted global risk and strategy assessment based on Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, litigation and regulatory risk, material investor concerns, and the responsible procurement procedures of key clients. Identified priority operations and markets for due diligence based on material and salient risks.
Multiple Fortune 100 Companies
Developed guidance on the meaning of specific, complex human rights, including the definition of complex consumer human rights, modern slavery, sexual violence, remedy, and procedural fairness when adapted to the private sector.
OECD Secretariat
Guidance on the practical meaning of “cause”, “contribute”, and “directly linked” under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise when applying a legal interpretive approach.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Drafted and edited various sustainability reports and disclosures, including annual Global Compact reports, engagements with expert stakeholders, and specific human rights action plans. Advised on disclosures and engagement with key ratings agencies regarding human rights program.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Drafted and edited Modern Slavery Act statements; drafted and edited sustainability sections of integrated financial disclosures. Developed disclosure strategy with reference to revised business objectives and target industries to align with Sustainable Development Goals and Guiding Principles.
Commercial Disputes
Counsel for multiple leading multinationals in commercial disputes before all levels of court in United States and Canada; investor-state arbitration before International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes; and international commercial arbitrations before International Chamber of Commerce, London Court of International Arbitration, and Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
Human Rights Litigation
Conducted international and domestic litigation in the UK High Court, County Court, and European Court of Human Rights. Core practice areas included discrimination and equality, privacy rights, data protection and cyberbullying, harassment, whistleblowing, counter-terrorism legislation, citizenship and child sexual abuse.
Multiple Global Oil & Gas Companies
Advised on addressing allegations of climate change-related adverse human rights impact before Philippines Commission on Human Rights.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Advised on OECD National Contact Point proceedings concerning downstream labor practices of a state-owned enterprise.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Advised on responding to allegations of negligent human rights risk management in litigation against parent company in UK.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Global ESG risk assessment—across operations, supply chain, and customers—to identify priority social and environmental risks for company to address in line with voluntary sustainability commitments. Results serve as foundation for strategy design, grievance mechanism review, and reporting strategy.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Conducted global human rights risk assessment—extending from supply chain to consumers. Developed progressive strategy and indicator framework for targeted onsite human rights impact assessments. Developed company-wide action plan to improve specific policies and procedures based on priority human rights risks and gaps in existing governance.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Structured and oversaw privileged human rights assessments of four operations in distinct, high-risk regions across the globe. Developed due diligence indicators and questions; engaged with internal stakeholders and external consultant to ensure buy-in and targeted approach; processed final report to manage potential business risks.
Responsible Investors and ESG Research Institutions
Provided training on material and salient human rights risks facing companies in key sectors. Advised on structured approach to portfolio due diligence and company engagement, including indicators of effective governance.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Advised on content and structure of human rights policy to ensure alignment with international law, Guiding Principles, OECD Guidelines, and UN Global Compact. Focused in particular on precise structure of public commitment to international human rights based on reasonable expectations of private enterprise.
American Private Equity Fund
Advised on the integration of appropriate responsible investing clauses in agreements with limited partners; considered, in particular, structure of reasonable sustainability governance across portfolio companies.
Liberty Asia
Advised on pilot grievance mechanism focused on modern slavery in Thailand. Drafted rules for local businesses and appeals process to secretariat.
High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA)
Advised on development of draft grievance mechanism with network approach and tiers of appeal. Focused specifically on process alignment with Guiding Principles and practicality.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Advised on the design and launch of the Business Integrity Group, a unique practice to help clients navigate global non-financial risk with integrated advice on corruption, human rights, environment, and money-laundering governance. Developed legal opinions and client tools for effective governance structures with a view to emerging legal risk, integrated due diligence, and resilient policy design.
Canadian Crown Corporation
Advised export-promotion agency on the development of responsible business policy and integrated human rights due diligence indicators to flow upstream and downstream. Developed human rights policy, due diligence indicators, and internal guidance for full value-chain due diligence to be integrated with corruption and export-control compliance.
Fortune 100 Consumer Goods Company
Advised a leading global fast-moving consumer products company on the design and development of its sustainability governance, including a gap analysis of existing ethics governance. Involved drafting of human rights and environmental policies; developing management structure to meet international standards and preserve corporate separateness; structuring of multi-tier supply chain due diligence program; training for senior management and functional personnel; and grievance mechanism design.
Fortune 100 Automotive Company
Global assessment of material business risks with an emphasis on a US labor relations dispute. Analyzed policies and procedures and assessed global operations; undertook comprehensive gap analysis with reference to UN Global Compact indicators. Conducted benchmarking exercise of peers and competitors, focusing on environmental targets and performance.
Fortune 100 Industrial Products Company
Review of ESG strategy to develop coherent narrative tailored to company’s products, operations, value chain, and growth strategy. Involved assessing material investor risks and legal risks with reference to Guiding Principles, Sustainable Development Goals, and existing governance.
Fortune 100 Bank
Advised on the relevant legal and reputational risks to consider in developing human rights governance policies and procedures in line with Guiding Principles.
European Private Equity Fund
Advised on the strategic benefits and legal risks of developing a responsible investment policy and governance program. Analysis considered expectations of key pension fund investors; practicality of portfolio governance across 70 companies; relevant key performance indicators for portfolio disclosure; and risks of overcommitment in limited partner agreements.
Fortune 100 Oil & Gas Company
Conducted global assessment of material human rights-related business risks and opportunities. Analyzed specific expectations of top ten investors and ranking institutions. Reviewed operational footprint to understand material litigation risks and regulatory expectations. Conducted benchmarking exercise of sustainability governance against peers and competitors, with reference to stakeholder expectations and legal risk.
