DLA Piper wins IJGlobal ESG Legal Adviser Award for pro bono work

DLA Piper has been recognised by IJGlobal, winning its ESG Legal Adviser Award, for the firm’s pro bono work. The award recognises DLA Piper’s commitment to building a sustainable future by providing pro bono legal services to organisations working to address some of the world’s most pressing ESG challenges, in what was described as an “impressive display of activity”.

In 2022, DLA Piper contributed more than 215,000 hours of pro bono legal services globally, with a significant focus on supporting positive ESG outcomes. Judges considered prominent examples from the past year, including:

• The firm’s close relationship with the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, which saw it provide legal support to organisations deploying innovative finance instruments designed to channel private investment into action on climate change and sustainable development. One such organisation being the Green Guarantee Company, the first specialist guarantor for emerging market climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
• Working in partnership with Durrell Wildlife Trust, TRAFFIC, the Government of Madagascar, and community leaders to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and the judiciary to stop trafficking and save fragile species from extinction. The team supported judges, prosecutors, the anti-corruption unit, and Madagascar’s Ministry of Justice to build investigative ability and strengthen judicial cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
• Working with the African Green Infrastructure Investment Bank, Africa Investor, and the CFA Asset Owners Council, to launch a Model Law on Institutional Investor-Public Partnerships initiative, which facilitates the deployment of trillions of dollars of private capital into ‘green’ infrastructure programmes and projects across the continent. And, further working with a voluntary association of states to prepare a model bill for carbon pricing and taxation, which will be made available at COP28.

Jean-Pierre Douglas-Henry, partner and Managing Director of Sustainability and Resilience at DLA Piper commented: “This recognition of our pro bono work is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our lawyers and staff in making a difference to major societal challenges and building a more sustainable future. Sustainability and ESG continue to be core tenets of our firm strategy. I would like to thank IJGlobal for recognising our work and express our gratitude to our teams and partner organisations that have produced such positive outcomes through their work and innovation.”