The global law firm of Winston & Strawn LLP on Aug. 6 announced the launch of a new environmental, social and governance (ESG) advisory team, co-chaired by Houston-based partners Mike Blankenship and Eric Johnson.
The ESG advisory team synthesizes the firm's multidisciplinary experience to help boards and management teams oversee the complete spectrum of ESG-related legal and business issues, according to a release from the firm.
"Amid an ever-changing business environment, it's clear that the most resilient and successful businesses are placing ESG principles at the forefront of their core values and leveraging those principles to chart a path for financial success and future growth to the benefit of all their stakeholders, including employees, customers, vendors, local communities, and stockholders," said Blankenship.
In addition to Blankenship and Johnson, the cross-functional team includes Chicago partners Mike Melbinger, Eleni Kouimelis, Cardelle Spangler, and Rex Sessions, of counsel Stephanie Sebor; New York partner Tara Greenberg, London partners Peter Crowther and Anthony Riley. Drawing from deep experience and building on existing client work, the team will focus on matters relating to:
- ESG disclosures and messaging, including program implementation and framework selection;
- Board oversight of ESG risks and establishment of related corporate principles and values;
- Corporate governance;
- Shareholder activism;
- Regulatory compliance;
- Energy transition and renewable and alternative energy sources;
- Employee benefits and executive compensation, including incentivizing ESG-related behaviors;
- Labor and employment; and
- Crisis management.
"Embracing ESG principles and implementing ESG-related programs is a unique process for every organization, tied directly to each organization's distinct cultural and brand identity," said Johnson. "Our team works closely with clients to develop and execute ESG-related initiatives that best fit their specific needs to the benefit of all of their stakeholders."
Winston & Strawn is an international law firm with 15 offices located throughout North America, Asia and Europe.
Recommended Reading
BP Profit Falls On Weak Oil Prices, May Slow Share Buybacks
2024-10-30 - Despite a drop in profit due to weak oil prices, BP reported strong results from its U.S. shale segment and new momentum in the Gulf of Mexico.
Utica Oil E&P Infinity Natural Resources’ IPO Gains 7 More Bankers
2024-11-27 - Infinity Natural Resources’ IPO is expected to provide a first-look at the public market’s valuation of the Utica oil play.
Oxy’s Hollub Drills Down on CrownRock Deal, More M&A, Net-zero Oil
2024-11-01 - Vicki Hollub is leading Occidental Petroleum through the M&A wave while pioneering oil and gas in EOR and DAC towards the goal of net-zero oil.
Post Oak Backs New Permian Team, But PE Faces Uphill Fundraising Battle
2024-10-11 - As private equity begins the process of recycling inventory, likely to be divested from large-scale mergers, executives acknowledged that raising funds has become increasingly difficult.
Sheffield: E&Ps’ Capital Starvation Not All Bad, But M&A Needs Work
2024-10-04 - Bryan Sheffield, managing partner of Formentera Partners and founder of Parsley Energy, discussed E&P capital, M&A barriers and how longer laterals could spur a “growth mode” at Hart Energy’s Energy Capital Conference.