Latham & Watkins LLP announced on Jan. 24 the appointment of Sarah Fortt and Betty Moy Huber, who will join the firm as partners in Austin/Washington, D.C. and New York, respectively, and will serve as global co-chairs of Latham’s multi-disciplinary ESG practice alongside London partner Paul Davies.

According to the Latham release, both Fortt and Huber will be members of the firm’s Capital Markets & Public Company Representation Practice Group within the Corporate Department and will advise public and private companies, financial institutions, investment funds and their boards.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sarah and Betty to the firm and to their leadership roles in our ESG practice," Ryan Maierson, a Houston partner and member of the firm’s executive committee, said in a company release.

"Their addition comes at a perfect time as we see a rising focus on ESG among businesses and investors, and a growing need for the kind of cross-cutting, comprehensive advice that we provide."

Ian Schuman, Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets & Public Company Representation Practice Group, commented, “Sarah and Betty have well-earned reputations as strategic business advisors with the right vision and experience to advise clients on cutting-edge ESG developments around the world. There are perhaps no areas of the market with a greater need to intelligently and proactively address ESG issues than in the public company boardroom and in the context of major transactions."

Fortt focuses on advising public and private companies and their boards on ESG-related corporate governance, disclosure obligations, and regulatory requirements. She regularly works with boards on managing their approaches to governance, crisis management and preparedness, succession planning and board education, particularly with respect to ESG and corporate culture matters. 

“I’m thrilled to join Latham’s market-leading ESG advisory team,” said Fortt. “The firm’s many practices are well-known, on their own, as leading practices. But what drew me to the firm is the fact that Latham has combined these capabilities so effectively into a global, cross-disciplinary team that functions with a singular focus on meeting each client’s unique needs."

Huber is a long-standing advisor to public and private companies and boards of all industries and sizes on the full range of ESG-related corporate governance matters, including board oversight of ESG risks and opportunities, environmental, social, human rights, sustainable finance and other ESG policies, “net-zero” commitments and targets, ESG reporting, disclosure and related controls, corporate culture, stakeholder engagement, shareholder activism, board composition and refreshment, fiduciary duties, board assessments, and shareholder proposals. She has over 25 years of  experience advising on ESG matters in connection with hundreds of transactions. 

“Clients look for advisors who can provide comprehensive, consolidated and strategic advice that is informed by experience and significant understanding of the emerging issues they face now and in the future," said Huber.

"Latham has demonstrated its commitment to meeting that need and continues to make meaningful investments in the ESG team and approach to stay ahead of the issues. I am excited to work with Paul, Sarah and many others across the firm, to guide our clients in navigating the path forward.”

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