Our attorneys and policy advisors help clients identify, analyze, and integrate ESG concerns and priorities across their operations. We meet our clients where they are, and our practice focuses on environmental and climate regulation, corporate governance, investor engagement and communications, public company disclosure requirements, energy, and international trade. Leverage the collective knowledge, experience, and skills of relevant experts. , corporate transactions including labor and employment, global investigations, tax policy, cybersecurity, public and private placements and sustainable financing. Our team provides policies and policies that help companies assess and develop their specific ESG objectives, report their ESG issues responsibly and effectively, and incorporate ESG into their daily operations and long-term plans. We will help you create the steps. By doing all of this, you avoid common pitfalls that can unintentionally lead to unwanted liability risks. . For companies already under the scrutiny of regulators or activist groups, our team helps clients navigate complex challenges such as defending investigative and enforcement proceedings and defending civil litigation.
Our ESG services
ESG Client Forum: McGuireWoods attorneys lead client groups that provide daily updates on climate and ESG trends, including ESG best practices, ESG reporting standards, regulatory requirements, legal proceedings and litigation. The group meets monthly to discuss these important issues and includes major electric utilities and national industry associations.
ESG best practices and risk mitigation: McGuireWoods’ ESG team assists companies in developing best practices and formal procedures to minimize risks arising from both mandatory and voluntary ESG reporting. This includes steps to ensure that a company’s employees speak with one voice on his ESG issues and that ESG pledges and public statements are realistic and accurate. Well explained.
Guidance on ESG reporting platforms: McGuireWoods’ ESG attorneys help companies choose among the many competing third-party platforms for making ESG disclosures, ensuring that companies are using the best tools available. When reporting platforms evaluate companies on ESG performance, the McGuire Woods team ensures that companies have policies in place to achieve the highest possible score. When a one-size-fits-all reporting platform doesn’t suit an individual company’s needs, McGuireWoods can help companies customize their disclosures and create the appropriate documentation to justify that customization.
Compliance with securities regulations: McGuireWoods’ ESG attorneys advise companies on reporting requirements under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and help companies prepare accurate disclosures in compliance with such requirements.
Corporate governance and investor engagement: McGuireWoods’ ESG lawyers work closely with public company clients on how to formalize ESG risk management and board oversight of ESG company efforts through corporate governance guidelines and board charters. Masu. We regularly assist our clients with active investor engagement on a variety of ESG topics, as well as on ESG topics and response to questions at earnings calls, annual meetings, and briefings. Provide advice.
ESG shareholder proposal: McGuireWoods attorneys assist public companies in determining the adequacy of shareholder proposals under SEC rules, working with proponents regarding potential exits, preparing and filing exemption applications with the SEC, and preparing management proposals. has a long history of assisting shareholders in navigating the shareholder proposal process. Recommendations to shareholders on how to vote on such proposals.
New regulatory requirements: McGuireWoods attorneys provide analysis and guidance to help mitigate risks posed by new regulations that may impact and govern ESG reporting obligations and related issues, including SEC, Department of Labor, and U.S. Treasury regulations. Provide advice to companies. McGuireWoods is well-positioned to help our clients participate in the regulatory process and secure favorable regulatory playing fields, including through the preparation of regulatory comments.
Government investigations and enforcement proceedings: For more than a decade, Fortune 100 companies and celebrities from around the world have been invited to work nationally to handle some of the most high-profile and complex issues before countless regulatory agencies, including U.S. Congressional hearings and law enforcement. McGuire Woods was recognized for its government investigation and white collar litigation work. From investigations led by the SEC, FERC, and state attorneys general to global investigations involving the UK’s FCA and SFO, our team of lawyers has extensive experience in investigations at the intersection of law and politics. , including a former deputy attorney general. Former U.S. Attorneys, more than a dozen federal prosecutors, and former executive officers of major agencies involved in ESG issues, such as the SEC and FERC.
Environmental justice: Social and environmental considerations intersect with environmental justice, a current U.S. federal government policy priority. McGuire Woods’ environmental team advises companies and industry organizations on environmental justice laws, state law developments, and new federal regulatory requirements that impact companies in a variety of ways, including facility permitting and project development.
Agency rulemaking procedures: McGuireWoods attorneys assist clients in preparing rulemaking comments for federal agencies that help the federal government develop future ESG regulations and policies. Our ESG team has experience with multiple agencies including the EPA, FERC, SEC, Department of Labor, and more. Our ESG team also has litigation experience challenging and defending federal agency regulations after they are finalized.
risk assessment: McGuireWoods’ ESG team provides guidance to companies, including regulated industries, the investment community, and lending and insurance institutions, across a variety of business sectors, including risks posed by climate-related regulations, corporate governance requirements, and social policies addressed by various authorities. We advise you on the risks you face. Labor and employment regulations, etc. This type of assessment may include evaluating a company’s ESG products and risks that have not yet been addressed.
Renewable energy projects and renewable energy/environmentally friendly procurement: McGuireWoods has represented developers, independent power producers, infrastructure funds, and utility companies on projects in 40 states totaling more than 27 GW. We operate a full-service practice advising on all aspects of renewable energy project development, acquisition/disposal, construction, off-take, debt financing, tax equity financing, ownership and operations. We have also represented energy supply companies and other large energy consumers in structuring physical and virtual power purchase agreements, power hedging, and environmental attribute purchase and sale agreements.
Sustainable finance: McGuire Woods’ securities and finance attorneys have extensive experience advising major banks and other clients on complex financial transactions, including impact investing, blended finance structures, sustainability-related structured loans, and green bond issuances. I have. We advised a major financial institution on his $2 billion bond offering aimed at promoting racial equity, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability. This is the first issuance of this type of bond in the financial services industry. We recently represented a utility company in connection with the syndication of $900 million in sustainability, diversity, and inclusion-related credit facilities, strengthening its continued commitment to a sustainable future.
Derivatives: ESG-linked derivative products allow companies and businesses to hedge risks associated with sustainable investing, such as project risk, interest rate risk, and currency risk. Our attorneys assist large financial investment banks, commercial banks, alternative capital providers, publicly traded and privately held companies in connection with the various structural, legal, and documentary considerations that arise in derivatives and structured finance transactions. He regularly advises clients including corporations and private equity funds. Across all major asset classes.
public relations: McGuireWoods Consulting is positioned to help companies and organizations achieve their ESG goals, with a focus on how to implement the principles of the ESG framework into business. We analyze public relations and ESG situations related to our clients’ businesses and make them understandable to multiple audiences, including investors, rating agencies and ranker organizations, local leaders and community members, and state and federal We help companies maximize their ESG efforts by creating ESG content. Regulatory authority.
ESG pioneer
Companies that adapt to these new challenges have the potential to meet myriad government goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the United States’ commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2005. Your business will change and grow with a broader purpose. It will reach the level by the end of this decade. We work with our clients to seize opportunities and support their businesses through their growth. Clients can always benefit from his personalized one-on-one counseling on ESG issues, but he also provides a confidential forum where they can share knowledge and discuss best practices with colleagues.
Our lawyers are involved in everything from idea creation to implementation and evaluation. We offer a wealth of experience, much of which comes from frontier markets, both location and industry. Our attorneys have many years of practice in multiple areas that make up what we call ESG, and our collective experience can help our clients, no matter where they are in their ESG journey. We are ready to assist our clients.
Our ESG experience
american bank
- The issuance of a $1 billion corporate social bond to support the fight against the coronavirus pandemic marks the first such issuance by a U.S. commercial bank.
console energy
- A $2.5 million debt and equity investment in Australia-based carbon materials producer CFOAM.
electric utility company
- It is a first-of-its-kind proceeding seeking approval for Virginia’s largest utility-scale battery energy storage system.
- Joining a $900 million syndicate of sustainability, diversity and inclusion credit facilities to strengthen our continued commitment to a sustainable future.
- Issued $1 billion in green bonds to fund existing and future eligible green spending.
Many regulated companies
- Greenhouse protection under the Clean Air Act, including the landmark Supreme Court cases Massachusetts v. EPA and Utilities Air Regulatory Group v. EPA, and the DC Circuit case over EPA’s Clean Power Plan and Affordable Clean. Represented a client regarding the regulation of effect gases.Energy Code and EPA Regulations for Methane from Oil and Gas Facilities
- A leading customer forum that helps companies stay on top of evolving ESG and other climate-related trends at the federal, state, international and local levels, including monitoring litigation and regulatory developments in this area.
Listed companies and private companies
- He continues to advise numerous public and private companies on ESG disclosure, best practices, and related corporate governance issues.