The Legal 500 Green Guide: United States 2024

United States 2024

A&O Shearman

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Clifford Chance

Covington & Burling LLP

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Dentons

Hogan Lovells

Linklaters LLP

Mayer Brown

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Morrison Foerster

Ropes & Gray LLP

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

DLA Piper LLP (US)

With a global Sustainability and ESG advisory team which seeks to provide a holistic service that helps clients and communities transition to a greener future, DLA Piper LLP (US) offers an acute specialism across climate change and renewable energy. 

The firm provides pro bono assistance to Georgia’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection, providing counsel to help understand legal and treaty texts and representing the country in the UN’s international climate change negotiations, including the recent COP summits. Through the firm’s representation, Georgia was admitted to the Environmental Integrity Group negotiating bloc, securing its stronger access to UNFCCC processes and helping promote multilateral climate action. 

In the renewable energy sector, the firm represented Citizens Financial Group in negotiations with Danish power company Ørsted, in a transaction whereby the client will support the construction of the 200 MW Sunflower Wind Project and receive a 25.8 MW share of the output. Through the PPA, the client will resell all renewable electricity generated to the local grid while utilising the associated renewable energy credits to achieve its 100% renewable power target. 

Demonstrating further experience with renewable energy transactions, the firm advised Scottish client Renewco Power on its US expansion through the acquisition of a 1.5 GW pipeline of early-stage utility-scale solar projects and 500 MW of battery storage projects from developer Beaufort Rosemary. Following the transaction, the two companies in partnership will bring 3 GW of solar and storage projects to the ready-to-build stage within the US Southeast and Midwest, supporting the expansion of renewable electricity to help meet the areas’ ambitious clean energy targets. 

Following a Global Environmental Policy to reduce its business footprint and publishing the results through its Global Carbon Footprint Baseline Report, the firm seeks to positively influence the local environment, having committed through the Science Based Targets initiative to become net-zero by 2040.  

Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP has demonstrable experience advising funds and lenders on innovative green products and transactions.

In a Green Loan Principles-compliant deal, Philadephia-based firm co-chair-elect and member of the firm’s policy committee, David Forti advised a syndicate of lenders led by TD Securities on the $11bn loan within DigitalBridge and IFM Investors’ acquisition of sustainable data centre infrastructure company Switch. Forti also represented a syndicate of lenders led by Morgan Stanley Bank on the origination of a $1bn mortgage loan, incorporating the Green Loan Principles to comply with European banks’ ESG requirements. 

In a pro bono matter for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, the firm assisted in protecting New Jersey’s Pinelands conservation area from destruction to accommodate a natural gas pipeline. Alongside preserving the ecoregion, the firm’s advocacy supported the green transition by campaigning for the site to instead be used to connect offshore wind projects to the electricity grid. 

To mitigate its global carbon footprint and environmental impact, the firm has a three-pronged approach that promotes energy conservation, waste and pollution prevention, and the reduction of supply chain emissions. The firm’s New York office has a cross-staff Green Team which has committed the office to a sustainability pledge, focused on minimising waste and electricity, boosting recycling, and procuring environmentally friendly products.

Eversheds Sutherland

UN Global Compact participant Eversheds Sutherland has significantly built on its US sustainability offerings over the past year in line with growing client demand. This included the opening of its brand new San Francisco office with a dedicated ESG team. Atlanta-based Herbert Short serves as global co-lead of ESG and recently authored the firm’s second climate impact report.

The firm is a market leader when it comes to the development and permitting of renewable infrastructure, in particular offshore wind. The team in Washington DC is representing Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development (MAOD) – a joint venture between Shell and EDF Renewables – in its efforts to develop offshore wind transmission infrastructure. The firm’s involvement has been key in establishing the business and regulatory structures for offshore wind projects and the efficient transmission of power to land.

Another key client spearheading the energy transition is Lotus Infrastructure Partners (successor to Starwood Energy Group Global). The firm represented the company in a historic transaction to shut down the remaining two coal-fired power plants in New Jersey. This is part of the state’s larger plan to eliminate carbon from its grid by 2050.

Victor Haley in Atlanta, who leads the firm’s Forestry & Climate Solutions group, served as co-counsel for the joint venture Blue Source Sustainable Forests Company (BSFC) for the (approx.) $1.8bn private forest carbon investment. This includes BSFC’s acquisition of entities managed by The Forestland Group (TFG) that own 1.7m acres of land, marking one of the largest investments of its kind in US history, with BSFC the first of the industry’s ten largest forestland owners to commit to prioritizing climate mitigation practices.

The US team is also widely acknowledged for its thought leadership on ESG, regularly partaking in interviews on high-profile issues such as the SEC’s proposed rules relating to ESG practices by registered funds and investment advisers. It also actively engaged with COP27 and NYC Climate Week, hosting webinars, workshops and dinners. In the US, the firm has purchased renewable energy credits representing 100% of its 2018 estimated energy use. It is also a founding member of the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact, a collaborative net zero emissions initiative of Georgia businesses.

Herbert Short

Victor Haley

A&O Shearman

The US arm of A&O Shearman’s global ESG group provides policy and transactional expertise for leading sustainability organisations, private equity firms, and innovative energy infrastructure projects.

In a multi-jurisdictional matter led by international environmental head Ken Rivlin in New York, the firm advised the Equator Principles Association on preparing the loan documentation guidance for the fourth edition of the Equator Principles, which provide developed and developing countries a benchmark by which to assess and manage environmental and social risk in project finance.

Rivlin is also conducting environmental diligence and ESG analysis for Apollo Global Management funds in their $265m structured investment to acquire an equity stake in US Wind, with the financing supporting the development and construction of an offshore wind project off the coast of Maryland.

Demonstrating further experience on important sustainable project financings, the firm advised on The Nature Conservancy’s Blue Bond for marine conservation in Belize. Within the innovative $364m transaction, the firm provided restructuring and financial advice, helping create a green approach to debt relief whereby the proceeds are split between reducing national debt and funding the protection of the country’s marine biodiversity zones.

For the Summit Carbon Solutions project – which will connect over thirty carbon-emitting power plants to a carbon capture, transport, and storage facility – the firm advised on structuring, project development, and debt and equity financing.

With a Science Based Targets initiative-approved target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, the firm is working to abate its direct carbon emissions as well as those emissions generated from its supply chains and procurement policies. 

Contributing to the development of green legal expertise, Rivlin also teaches on ESG at Columbia Law School. 

Ken Rivlin

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton’s US team leverages the firm’s international presence in advising global organizations, public companies, financial institutions and investors on ESG issues. Sustainability is incorporated throughout its different practice areas, with the firm demonstrating particular expertise in sustainable finance matters.

Francesca Odell heads up the firm’s corporate advisory practice and is a go-to lawyer for boards of directors and executive management for corporate governance matters regarding readiness and actions on climate, environment and sustainability policies – including the upcoming SEC rules. The team’s international client roster includes the likes of Inter, Pinterest, Starbucks, and T-Mobile.

Significantly, Odell was part of the team advising American Express in its $3.5bn-aggregate sustainable notes offering to be allocated towards climate change mitigation and sustainable infrastructure projects. In another notable green deal, Jeff Karpf represented the managers led by Citigroup Capital Markets (Citi) in an aggregate $2bn green notes offering.

Internally, the firm promotes environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices through its cross-functional working group focusing on measuring and reducing emissions. The team also partakes in various voluntary initiatives to minimise its impact on the environment. For example, David Lopez, among others, represented The Nature Conservancy (a long-term pro bono client), in an unregistered offering of two green bonds totalling $412m to finance a variety of green projects including coastal protection, sustainable fisheries and forestries, and advancing solar and wind development.

All mentioned attorneys are based in New York.

Francesca Odell

Jeff Karpf

David Lopez

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance’s US team advises clients across the world on their sustainable business transition and supports those at the forefront of ESG developments in the country. The firm’s Americas ESG practice closely collaborates with the global ESG team, providing clients with up-to-date guidance on rapidly changing cross-border requirements.

Washington DC-based co-head of the US energy and projects group, David Evans and his team advised the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office on a $504.4m loan for the Advanced Clean Energy Storage (“ACES”) Project, an innovative clean hydrogen production and storage facility capable of providing long-term seasonal energy storage. This will be the largest clean hydrogen storage facility in the world and will allow the Intermountain Power Agency to replace an existing coal-fired power plant with hybrid combined cycle gas turbines capable of operating on hydrogen fuel.

In New York, the firm represented OGCI Climate Investments in its inaugural $1.5bn Decarbonisation Fund targeting energy transition investments in North America. In another first, Hugo Triaca advised Itau BBA U.S. Securities and Scotia Capital (U.S.) as purchasers in connection with the $390m inaugural green bond issuance by the Chilean electricity transmission company Sociedad de Transmisión Austral (STA).

The firm’s commitment to ESG goes far beyond its client-facing work. As a signatory of the UN Global Compact, it has integrated sustainability into its Responsible Business Strategy and Code of Conduct. The Environmental Board has developed its Net Zero by 2030 strategy which includes working with third-party experts Carbon Intelligence and establishing science-based targets.

The firm’s Global ESG Board benefits from the expertise of Washington DC-based disputes lawyer Steve Nickelsburg, who among other things brings his ESG insights to the Board of Visitors of Duke University’s School of the Environment.

David Evans

Hugo Triaca

Steve Nickelsburg

Covington & Burling LLP

Through its cross-disciplinary ESG team, Covington & Burling LLP provides a service focused on supporting sustainable development and the transition toward carbon neutrality across law and policy. 

The firm’s advice to The Nature Conservancy includes helping the client navigate carbon market possibilities, with highlights involving assisting with the elaboration of accounting standards and corresponding adjustments to help promote carbon removals under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and forming a $100m partnership with Amazon to invest in the research and development of nature-based climate solutions. The firm also provided pro bono advice on innovative nature-based projects which promote the reforestation of Central and South American tropical rainforests. 

In the electric-vehicle sector, the firm represented South Korean energy company SK Innovation in its $13.2bn joint venture with Ford to manufacture EV batteries in Kentucky and Tennessee. For the joint venture, which will construct three environmentally advanced battery plants and support the electrification of Ford’s vehicle fleet, the firm advised on JV formation and governance, IP licensing, and supply agreements. 

For LanzaTech – which transforms waste carbon into sustainable fuels, fabrics, and packaging – the firm advised on a $2.2bn business combination transaction with a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, helping raise proceeds that support the development of the client’s innovative carbon capture technology. 

Kevin Poloncarz, San Francisco-based co-chair of the firm’s environmental and energy practice group, assists energy-sector coalitions in shaping future decarbonisation paths. In West Virginia v. EPA, Poloncarz helped secure an opinion which anticipates a role for the EPA to regulate power-sector carbon emissions in a manner which incentivises emissions trading systems and carbon capture and sequestration solutions. Elsewhere, for a coalition of electric utilities, Poloncarz helped reverse the EPA’s and NHTSA’s roll-back of strong greenhouse gas standards for light-duty vehicles while restoring California’s ability to set peculiar carbon targets above the national standard.

Kevin Poloncarz

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

As a member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is committed to promoting the green transition in the legal sector, complementing the expertise of its ESG practice which focuses on advising financial sector clients on emerging sustainability-related trends. 

A particular strength lies in the extent of the firm’s advice on central ESG issues for global investment funds. The firm advises clients on ESG issues within their investments, including climate risk and supply chain disruption; assists funds’ portfolio companies with ESG strategies, assessments, and sustainability reports; and reviews and revises funds’ ESG policies and sustainability protocols.

For banking industry trade groups – including the Financial Services Forum, The Risk Management Association, and the Institute of International Bankers – Caroline Swett has expertise in advocacy regarding climate-related proposals launched by financial regulators, particularly in preparing comment letters in response to proposals on climate-related financial risk. 

A key client is energy management company Schneider Electric, whom the firm advised on its acquisitions of electric-vehicle charging solution provider EV Connect and rooftop solar and energy storage online marketplace EnergySage. 

The firm’s sustainability thought leadership includes working with The Risk Management Association to establish its Climate Risk-Related Legal Discussion Group, convening this forum to provide general counsel at leading US banks a platform to discuss key climate issues. Additionally, the firm’s ESG Resource Center provides clients with briefing updates and state-level ESG investment and investigation trackers. Key contact Andrew Levine recently co-authored a publication on ESG-related regulatory and policy actions in the US and EU.

Vindicating the work of its Green Committee to implement a sustainable procurement policy, reduce waste through donating used cooking oil to help produce carbon-neutral biodiesel, and establish a carbon offsetting programme for air and rail travel, the firm attained a Silver American Legal Industry Sustainability Standard award for its eco-friendly practices. 

All mentioned attorneys are based in New York.

Caroline Swett

Andrew Levine

Dentons

Global law firm, Dentons is recognised across the US for its ESG consultancy capacities, helping its clients to stay ahead of the curve. Its ESG platform supports companies in leveraging ESG to develop and protect their business. As co-founder of Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, the team provides pro bono legal services to sustainability-focused entrepreneurs and non-profit organisations.

Chair of the firm’s US energy practice Clinton Vince created the pioneering Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank Initiative, with the aim of helping cities and communities to make use of technical developments which enable the integration of essential services. The team currently advises CPS Energy with respect to Smart Cities initiatives including its 400 MW solar project in San Antonio, Texas as part of meeting the city’s renewable energy goals whilst drawing $100 m in capital investment and 800 permanent jobs in the area.  Vince has also handled some significant matters for the City Council of the City of New Orleans, which are critical to achieving its clean energy goals.

A team led by L.A.-based Carl Steen, serves as US counsel to Capital Power, supporting the expansion of its renewables portfolio in the country. For example, in its acquisition of the 100.5 MW Buckthorn Wind project. It also advised the company on federal legislative and regulatory actions related to carbon capture and utilization.

Other critical transition work includes guidance and advocacy for Gridwise Alliance on the federal economic stimulus policies for grid modernisation advancement. The firm also serves as US Counsel to the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) on how Canadian renewable imports to the US might be treated under various federal proposals to incentivize clean energy or mitigate CO2 emissions. Public policy partner Andrew Shaw led on both of these.

Jeffrey Fort leads the firms’ efforts related to carbon offsets. 

 

Clinton Vince

Carl Steen

Andrew Shaw

Jeffrey Fort

Hogan Lovells

Over a decade ago, Hogan Lovells US implemented a long-term and holistic sustainability strategy through the launch of HL BaSE, the firm’s social impact practice which supports clients with purpose-led business, positioning itself today as a leading law firm for ESG. Over the past year, several partners have joined the US team, further deepening the firm’s knowledge across a range of ESG-related topics. Arrivals include Nikki Roberts in Houston, who now co-leads the ESG and energy transition practice.

The energy transition team regularly advises on first-of-a-kind technologies. In Washington DC, the firm led the advice to start-up Universal Hydrogen, which is at the forefront of decarbonising the aviatation sector through the development of commercially viable hydrogen-powered aircrafts.

The US corporate and finance practice assists clients with long-term sustainability visions, such as Sojitz on its joint venture with Braskem to produce and promote chemicals and plastics made from renewable sources (monoethylene glycol and monopropylene glycol).

In support of environmental conservation, Adam Kushner and Jim Banks in Washington DC provide counsel to numerous plaintiffs in a suit filed in the federal district court to challenge President Trump’s 2017 proclamation reducing the size of the Bears Ears National Monument by more than one million acres, leaving 85% of the Native American culturally and environmentally rich lands unprotected from resource extraction, grazing, logging, and vehicle use.

The firm has compiled its global coverage of ESG-related regulations in its Global Vision tool, allowing users to see a country-by-country breakdown of laws, regulations and standards impacting each jurisdiction. ESG360 is the firm’s assessment tool which supports clients in integrating ESG commitments into their business. Clients additionally benefit from the use of The ESG Academy, a podcast series aimed at helping organizations navigate key ESG issues. This also entails a series of explainer videos for industry and sector-specific breakdowns.

Nikki Roberts

Adam Kushner

Jim Banks

Linklaters LLP

With Science Based Targets initiative-approved ambitions to reduce scopes 1 and 2 emissions by 70% and scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030, Linklaters LLP makes an active commitment to implementing and verifying carbon mitigation measures. To help meet these goals, a firmwide carbon reduction steering group has abated emissions generated from travel and consumption while procuring greater renewable energy and sustainable products. 

Boosted by the recent expansion of its US energy transition and renewables platform, the firm’s clean energy expertise includes advising Mayflower Wind on the development of an offshore wind project off the Massachusetts coast. The firm also represented Danish power company Ørsted across various projects, including on the Formosa 1 and Race Bank offshore wind farms, the North American carbon emissions quantification project ‘Project Vulcan’, and as a global sponsor on the development of a carbon capture and storage project in the US.

Recent hire in New York, Marius Griskonis assisted renewable energy developer Avantus with the sale of the construction-ready Big Rock 1 200 MW battery energy storage system project to Gore Street Energy Storage Fund. The transaction facilitates the deployment of the project and consequentially secures the reliability of renewable electricity on the Californian grid. 

In a landmark $2bn offering, the firm represented the Republic of Chile in its issuance of the first sovereign sustainability-linked bond. The interest rate of the notes is tied to the achievement of a 95 MtCO2e GHG reduction annually, the maintenance of a GHG budget under 1100 MtCO2e by 2030, and the expansion of renewable energy sources in Chile’s electricity mix to 60% by 2032.  

The firm is committed to making a positive impact within the legal community through pro bono work, taking instruction from B-Lab (who administer the B-Corp sustainability certification) on strategy, and advocating for environmental justice with Lawyers for Good Government to support the water crisis in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Marius Griskonis

Mayer Brown

Building off the firm’s traditional financial sector presence, Mayer Brown provides key expertise to major corporate and banking clients on their leading investments, transactions, and financings within the green transition. 

In an innovative $925m deal, the firm in New York represented Meta in connection with its participation in Project Frontier, an advanced market commitment which will encourage the development of commercial-scale carbon-capture projects. In a further low-carbon technology deal, the team advised steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal on its $2.2bn acquisition of CSP, which will provide the client access to a planned clean electricity and green hydrogen hub in Pecém, Brazil. 

In a complex renewable energy financing, the firm represented Morgan Stanley as tax equity investor in the Athos III 310 MW solar and 448 MWh battery energy storage system project. Further supporting the development of the energy transition, Paul Astolfi in Chicago acted for pension fund CPDQ on the sale of a $3bn stake in major wind and solar developer Invenergy Renewables.  

Anna Pinedo, a New York-based key contact in the green finance space, acted as counsel to Íslandsbanki in its issuance of $300m senior sustainable notes, which will be used to finance or refinance clean transport, circular economy, waste and pollution management, environmental protection and conservation, and renewable energy projects. 

Consciously seeking to complement its client advice on ESG issues, the firm published a responsible business statement which coordinates its sustainability operations. Alongside anticipating a science-based net-zero commitment to be achieved through improved energy and resource use, reorganised supply chains, and environmentally friendly office buildings, the statement places key emphasis on the firm’s pro bono offering. Such pro bono work has seen the Northern California offices supporting reforestation projects in Golden Gate National Park and advising on strategic matters for the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which seeks to engage businesses, policymakers, and academics in achieving the transition to a circular economy. 

Paul Astolfi

Anna Pinedo

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

McDermott Will & Emery LLP’s ESG, Impact, and Sustainability initiative is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team across the US as well as its global offices, and responds holistically to client needs via their mandates and via the publication of important thought leadership, including webinars and podcasts on relevant topics.

A team led by ACORE leadership council member Chris Gladbach advised Doral Renewables regarding the project development, tax equity, and debt financing for the construction and operation of the 400 MW Mammoth North solar project in Indiana. This is the first of three phases of what will become the 1.3 GW Mammoth Solar Farm, the largest solar facility in the country.

The firm is acting for various clients in the solar sector in their collective response to Auxin Solar’s petition with the US Department of Commerce, raising issues about the importation of concentrated solar power systems into the US. The petition caused uncertainty for every solar project in development in the country; clients turned to Carl Fleming, who has previous White House advisory experience, and his team to formulate the response which has resulted in some solar projects moving forward. Fleming is currently an appointee to the Biden administration’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee.

His team also represented Eni New Energy US in its acquisition of a portfolio of over 465 MW assets – namely the Corazon Solar plant and the Guajillo storage project. This is of particular importance as it is one of the largest solar plus storage hybrid projects in Texas and is representative of the client’s expansion into the US renewables market.

All mentioned attorneys are based in Washington DC. In Miami, Phil Tingle and Heather Cooper have expertise in renewable energy tax issues. In Los Angeles, another key contact is Ed Zaelke, global co-head of the energy and project finance practice and former president of the American Wind Energy Association who is also a founding board member of the Wind Solar Alliance.

Chris Gladbach

Carl Fleming

Ed Zaelke

Phil Tingle

Heather Cooper

Morrison Foerster

As a founding member of Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, pro bono work in the sustainability space is crucial to Morrison Foerster’s green offering. Through the organisation, the firm advised non-profits including the World Wildlife Fund and secured litigation victory on behalf of Inland Empire Waterkeeper against Corona Clay Company for its violations of the Clean Water Act. 

For key client environmental non-profit The Nature Conservancy, San Franciso-based ESG co-chair Susan MacCormac recently assisted with legislative drafting and regulatory rulemaking concerning plastics restrictions and environmental impact assessments for the client’s project with the Bahamas Ministry of the Environment. The firm also advised the client on its investment to support independent water conservation funds and to create sustainable aquaculture in Palau.

In another highlight, the firm’s ESG group advised sustainable infrastructure investment platform Generate Capital on a cumulative $3bn fundraising from institutional investors to accelerate the deployment of sustainable infrastructure across the energy, waste, water, and transport sectors. It additionally assisted with the client’s conversion to a public benefit corporation, thereby more strongly imbuing environmental considerations within corporate governance. 

For carbon market-infrastructure platform Xpansiv – which helps companies meet their sustainability and emissions-reduction goals by hosting carbon offset, renewable energy credit, and low-carbon fuel transactions – the firm assisted in securing $400m in debt financing from Blackstone affiliates.

Decarbonisation investment platform GenZero sought the firm’s advice on its $200m indirect investment in the Bluesource Sustainable Forests Company, helping finance the acquisition of 1.8m acres of US forestland assets. The forests will be sustainably managed to help sequester carbon and achieve environmental co-benefits, consequentially generating carbon credits for voluntary and compliance markets. 

Through its Environmental Sustainability Committee, the firm developed climate-reducing goals and initiatives, is communicating with staff and stakeholders on how to reduce its operational footprint, and is supporting staff in developing eco pledges to boost sustainability practices at the individual and office level. 

Susan MacCormac

Ropes & Gray LLP

Ropes and Gray LLP’s US ESG team offers a diverse mix of green expertise reaching far beyond environmental compliance to a hybrid practice including traditional legal as well business consulting advice. Its client roster spans all major industries, with the team regularly advising on environmental sustainability governance at the board level.

A New-York based team represented The Nature Conservancy in its partnership with the government of Belize to protect Belize’s marine habitats through the issuance of blue bonds. The transaction generated $180m for marine conservation efforts, marking the world’s largest sovereign debt restructuring for marine conservation to date.

Global head of ESG Michael Littenberg in New York is a go-to lawyer when it comes to supporting clients with their long-term business sustainability strategies, identifying and managing climate risks and opportunities. Clients include a large global automotive company and a large US-based global retailer. Littenberg also advises multinational companies on policies and procedures to address deforestation.

Particularly clients navigating differing state-level laws benefit from the firm tracking up-to-date ESG legislation across the country. Bloomberg utilises this research as part of its ongoing coverage of the matter. Furthermore, lawyers regularly contribute to articles on the most pressing ESG issues in the country, such as the new climate-related disclosures and targets.

Seven of the firm’s US offices have received LEED certification from the US Green Building Counsel; this includes the Chicago office which is the world’s first LEED Core & Shell Gold Certified building. The firm also has a demonstrable pro bono commitment when it comes to green issues, having partnered with both global and local environmental organizations including the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Blue Finance, and Green Pro Bono. It is also a participant in Stanford Law School’s Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy.

Michael Littenberg

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s transdisciplinary US Impact and ESG practice is committed to fostering sustainability and positive impact through client services and internal best practices and initiatives.

The team regularly engages with county authorities in connection with the development of renewable energy projects. In Atlanta, Kevin Brown and his public finance team are representing the Development Authority of Jefferson County, Georgia regarding the development and financing of a 260MW solar farm project which is set to be the largest solar project in the state. In a similar matter, Brown and others are advising the Central Georgia Joint Development Authority on a 139 MW solar facility consisting of 500,000 solar panels.

The team also conducted an environmental review and provided legal counsel for NantWorks LLC regarding its joint venture with the developer of an innovative seaport complex designed to promote ambitious sustainability goals.

Six of the firm’s US offices are LEED-certified, and the Chicago office is situated in a building which purchases 100% green energy. In 2019, the firm joined Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, facilitated by Stanford Law School. Through the programme, the firm has pledged to contribute at least $350,000 annually in pro bono legal services to sustainability-focused non-profit organizations and small businesses. The Atlanta office has partnerships with The Nature Conservancy and  World Water Relief.

Kevin Brown

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Simpson Thacher Bartlett is a go-to firm for advising clients on innovative and high-value impact investing. New York-based Leah Malone heads up the firm’s multi-disciplinary ESG and sustainability practice.

In Palo Alto, Mike Vernace recently represented the lenders and Mizuho Bank as an administrative agent in connection with Avangrid’s $4bn sustainability-linked revolving credit facility.

In another significant transaction, the firm represented Goldman Sachs, Itaú BBA, Santander and Scotiabank as initial purchasers in connection with the Republic of Chile’s Ps. 1 Tn sovereign bond offering. The Republic of Chile plans to match proceeds from the sale of bonds and invest in initiatives eligible green and social initiatives.

The energy and infrastructure practice is acting for Global Infrastructure Partners in the sale of 50% of its interests in Clearway Energy Group to TotalEnergies. This deal represents TotalEnergies’ largest investment in US renewables to date.

As a member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, the firm has undertaken initiatives to measure its emissions and has engaged with the EPA Green Power Partnership to purchase renewable energy credits equal to 50% of its consumption as well as partnering with EcoVadis for a sustainability assessment. The firm also has a long-standing pro bono partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, and its headquarters are situated in a LEED-certified building.

Leah Malone

Mike Vernace

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

As a member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is committed to implementing internal sustainability practices to complement its expertise advising corporate clients on innovative, decarbonising mandates.

Supporting the green energy transition, the firm acted for private equity client Haddington Venture on the $1.5bn fundraising and initial capitalisation of the ACES 1 green hydrogen project. The hub will store green hydrogen which will be deployed to generate cleaner electricity for the Californian grid.

Houston-based co-chair of the firm’s power and renewable energy practice, Archie Fallon represented Mitsui in a strategic alliance transaction with Sempra Infrastructure, Mitsubishi Corporation, and TotalEnergies to develop the Hackberry pipeline system and underground carbon capture facility, which will help decarbonise local LNG production.

The firm also advised renewable natural gas project developer Avolta on securing $300m funding to finance its development pipeline; the projects will capture methane emissions from large-scale American dairy farms to produce RNG which will qualify for renewable energy credits under the Renewable Fuel Standard programme.

Complementing pro bono work for environmental organisations including ClientEarth, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, and the Carbon Disclosure Project, the firm is a co-founder of the Renewable Energy Alliance Houston, where Fallon serves pro bono as general counsel.

Ahead of finalising science-based emissions-reduction targets, the firm’s Willkie Green team has abated internal emissions by locating all US offices in LEED-certified buildings, reducing waste and supply chain emissions, and curbing business travel. Currently, the firm is gold-rated by the American Legal Industry Sustainability Standard for its environmental impact management.

Archie Fallon