Linklaters LLP‘s environment team, noted as being ’one of the firms with the most experience in the climate change sector’, is led by Vanessa Havard-Williams. It has a strong reputation for its capabilities advising international and national corporates, financial institutions, credit agencies, governments and social enterprises on complex and high-value transactional matters, as well as advisory and litigation work across the sector. Managing associate Iyesogie Igiehon stands out for her work advising on environmental and climate-related aspects of significant M&A. Rachel Barrett stands out in the team for her expertise advising on complex ESG matters; she co-leads the firm’s global, focused practice in this area. Chris Staples is noted for his ‘wealth of experience on the voluntary carbon market’ and has a focus on climate change and emissions trading matters in particular. Carbon transaction work is also an area of expertise for ’excellent’ counsel Kerry Liebenberg.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘One of the firms with the most experience in the climate change sector, unique in their ability to advise across a range of issues including project development, regulatory compliance, derivatives and funds.’
‘Chris Staples has a wealth of experience on the voluntary carbon market and an ability to think laterally around issues which inevitably arise in a nascent market.'
'Kerry Liebenberg is excellent at managing transactional work.’
Key clients
- IETA and ISDA
- INEOS
- Nestle
- Europe Realty
- Barclays
- Unilever
- NatWest
- Various Mining Companies
- Carrier Global
- Cerberus
- CK Infrastructure Holdings
- Nestle Nespresso
Work highlights
- Advising IETA in relation to the development of global market standard trading documentation for both the primary and the secondary voluntary carbon markets.
- Advising Nestle on a broad range of ESG matters including carbon capture projects, disclosures and reporting, litigation and greenwash risk, and the channelling of financings into sustainable agriculture projects.
- Advising Ineos on its planned €3bn “Project One” investment to expand its chemical production facilities in Antwerp, which will fund the construction of a new ethane cracker unit in Antwerp.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Linklaters LLP
Iyesogie is a Managing Associate and has experience advising clients in relation to a broad range of environmental, social and governance matters. A key aspect of her work involves reviewing and analysing new regulatory developments and providing practical advice for clients on how to navigate their compliance obligations. Iyes also has extensive experience in supporting clients with the development of ESG strategies, including climate transition and decarbonisation plans. She has a wealth of experience in transactional matters, advising regularly on ESG aspects of mergers and acquisitions, public listings and project finance, as well as advising financial institutions on the application of, and compliance with, sustainable finance legislation. Iyesogie is experienced in dealing with anti-bribery and corruption and modern slavery matters in a transactional and advisory context and regularly advises on confidential risk and investigatory matters.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Linklaters LLP
Rachel leads the Firm’s global ESG practice. She has deep expertise and exceptional breadth of experience advising on existing and incoming ESG regulation and soft law standards, ESG strategy and disclosures, sustainable finance products and frameworks, ESG governance and risk management and on stakeholder activism, litigation risk and crisis management.
Recently she has been recognised in the Fifty Most Influential in Sustainable Finance 2023 list by Financial News, as the go-to advisor on ESG matters by The Lawyer Hot 100 list as well as Next Generation Partner in the Environment and Corporate Governance by Legal 500.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Vanessa Havard-Williams