As ESG faces growing political, economic and regulatory scrutiny, law firms are having to look more closely at what sustainability really means in practice.
Much of the focus to date has been on operational impact: reducing emissions, committing to net‑zero targets and improving DEI. These steps are important. At Bellevue Law, for example, we have moved to a more environmentally sustainable office, use green energy and smart sockets to reduce consumption, and offer ESG‑compliant pension options and incentives for employees working from home to switch to green energy suppliers.
There are also positive sector‑wide initiatives, such as the Greener Litigation Pledge, encouraging practical steps including minimising hard‑copy documents and using videoconferencing where appropriate.
However, for professional services firms with no manufacturing footprint, operational emissions only tell part of the story. The greatest environmental and social impact of a law firm is often found in the advice it gives and the clients it chooses to serve.
There is increasing recognition of this “advised impact”. Law Society guidance has acknowledged that, for solicitors, the most significant emissions associated with their organisation may be linked to the matters on which they advise. Initiatives such as the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, The Chancery Lane Project and Legal Charter 1.5 are helping firms understand and respond to this challenge by embedding sustainability into legal advice itself.
At Bellevue Law, as workplace and commercial disputes lawyers, we focus strongly on the social impact of our advice. Our approach is set out in our Sustainable and Responsible Legal Advice Pledge, which explains how we think about client selection and how we approach our work.
As a certified B Corp, we have taken a streamlined approach to ethical client selection, declining to act for corporate clients in sectors deemed controversial or ineligible under B Corp standards, including fossil fuels, gambling and tobacco. We recognise that this choice can have a commercial impact, but we are comfortable with that trade‑off.
Beyond client selection, we are transparent that sustainable and responsible practices are often aligned with clients’ long‑term interests. While always acting in line with clients’ instructions, we look for appropriate opportunities to reduce risk and increase positive outcomes for example, by discussing fairer and more transparent approaches to workplace change.
There is no single definition of sustainable legal advice. But as scrutiny of ESG claims increases, it is a conversation the legal profession needs to continue and one we are committed to contributing to.
Florence Brocklesby’s original article was published by Modern Lawyer and is available to subscribers via Globe Law Online.
