Schiff Hardin Launches New Environmental, Social, and Governance Team

Schiff Hardin LLP today launched its new Environmental, Social, and Governance team, which will help companies develop appropriate disclosures and institutional programs that incorporate ESG principles, including climate change, supply chain resiliency/disruption, water use, waste and recycling, environmental and energy justice, human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, board composition, executive compensation, and anti-corruption.

Amy Antoniolli leads the team along with key members Sarah Fitts, Jane Montgomery, and Katherine Walton. Antoniolli is an environmental lawyer with broad experience in administrative and enforcement-related issues, including counseling clients on ESG-related regulatory matters and compliance strategies. Fitts advises on private mergers and acquisitions, development projects, financings, ESG, and restructurings, with a focus on the energy and infrastructure industries. Montgomery provides environmental counseling to clients, and the “E” in ESG is her focus area. Walton advises on environmental due diligence, including ESG issues and risk factors.

“Stakeholders have made clear that corporate responsibility is not just a fad or a slogan, and industry is responding as quickly as possible,” said Amy Antoniolli, a leader of Schiff’s ESG team. “Schiff has seen ESG quickly become an integral part of a company’s reporting and a significant factor in successful business deals. With stakes this high, companies have the opportunity to meet ESG metrics that protect their bottom line and their reputation.”

Leveraging Schiff’s deep experience in the environmental and energy sectors, the ESG team will be multidisciplinary, pulling lawyers across practices with experience in evaluating and mitigating environmental, energy, finance, labor, and governance risks. The ESG team’s focus will be to advise clients on legal ramifications and disclosure obligations, conduct internal investigations and represent clients in matters of wrongdoing, counsel on various ESG metrics used by lenders and investors, and evaluate litigation, insurability, and other risks posed by ESG issues.