Seyfarth Securities Attorneys and SGP Consultant to Present an ESG and the Roles of Relevant Stakeholders Lawline Webinar

Seyfarth Shaw LLP attorneys Gina Ferrari, Sarah Fedner, Greg Markel, and SGP consultant, Jessica Strine will present Lawline webinar, “ESG and the Roles of Relevant Stakeholders: What Directors and Officers Need to Know to Do Their Jobs and Minimize Risks,” on Tuesday, April 19th at 11:00 a.m. CDT.

In the current climate of increased social accountability and reputational risk, private and public companies are committing to impact initiatives, while facing increased pressure from stakeholders to commit to ESG principles. As a result, companies are working to create business policies and programs that advance such initiatives and principles. In doing so, companies and their directors and officers are starting to face litigation and pockets of shareholder dissatisfaction resulting from ESG related disclosures and policies. These cases are being brought not only by shareholders and the SEC but also by non-government organizations (NGOs) and consumers. Importantly, many non-government organizations have gained influence with respect to companies. The cases and shareholder organizations have influence across multiple industries, including technology, consumer goods, mining, metals, and automotive. In addition, they have influenced a range of ESG issues that include ethics, corruption, use of forced or child labor in supply chains, ethical sourcing, safety, the environment, voting rights, and diversity (including board diversity).

This program will provide an overview of what ESG is and the role of various corporate stakeholders, including directors and officers in advancing ESG principles. The presenters will discuss various influences on private and public companies to commit to ESG, including impact initiatives, SEC requirements/views, rating agencies, ESG-related regulations, investor and consumer values, and voluntary disclosure frameworks. This course will also discuss the real-life scenarios in which ESG-related claims have been brought against corporations and their directors and officers, along with how directors and officers can deal with shareholder sentiment and activism, while at the same time upholding their fiduciary duties and minimizing ESG-related liability.

This program will benefit in-house counsel, board members, and senior officers involved in decision-making about ESG corporate policies and disclosures. It will also help outside counsel advising companies and officers about improving ESG internal policies and oversight, drafting ESG disclosures, drafting impact statements, or defending against ESG- related litigation.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the different components of ESG
• Discuss ESG influences on both public and private companies
• Describe the evolution of Board diversity regulations and legislation
• Explore the roles of the business corporation, proxy firms, consultants, scientists, shareholders groups, investment firms, law firms, and regulators in advancing ESG principles
• Analyze ESG-related litigation against corporations and their leaders and how it impacts the roles and responsibilities of directors and officers

Click here to register.