Environmental Sustainability

We approach environmental sustainability in multiple ways, seeking solutions for our firm, our clients, and our communities, and we strive to be an exemplary corporate citizen.

Our Operations team seeks to run our firm in an environmentally conscious manner, including conserving natural resources and energy and decreasing our global carbon footprint. To that end, we were carbon neutral for Scopes 1 and 2 emissions in 2020. Lawyers in our Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Practice advise commercial clients in nearly every industry and across our departments on a range of ESG and sustainability matters. And, through our robust pro bono program, we donate free legal services to nonprofits focused on sustainability and environmental protection globally.

Our Sustainability Program

19,000+

Hours of free legal services donated to sustainability-focused clients since fall 2018

20+

Work streams dedicated to making the firm more environmentally sustainable

100+

Lawyers belong to our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Task Force

Business towers and Green leaves in Hong Kong

Reducing Our Impact

We recognize the importance of taking meaningful action to address climate change. We recently signed onto the Science Based Targets initiative, and are setting new targets for our Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

Enhancing Our Operations

As a member of the Law Firm Sustainability Network, we are committed to measuring our environmental impact and implementing best practices as a firm and within our individual offices.

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Technology

Technology presents another area of opportunity to increase the environmental sustainability of our operations. We are working to achieve 100% renewable energy for our data centers, and have begun a monitor-replacement program that will reduce energy consumption by 55% per workstation.

Cardboard boxes on shelves in warehouse. Storhouse.

Vendor Code of Conduct

We expect the companies and individuals supplying goods or services to the firm to commit to the same standards, so we developed a Vendor Code of Conduct to help ensure we collectively adhere to our sustainable and ethical standards.

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Pro Bono

We provide free legal services to an array of individuals and organizations around the world acting to protect the environment.

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Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy

In September 2018, we helped found Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy, a first-of-its-kind initiative dedicated to advancing sustainability goals through pro bono efforts.

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Featured

2022 Environmental Sustainability Report

Our approach to environmental sustainability involves ESG counsel, pro bono, and sustainable operations.

Firm Recognized as 2020 Green Lease Leader

Honor comes from the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Alliance and the Institute for Market Transformation.

Latham & Watkins office in New York City

March 29, 2019Recognition

New York Office Recognized for Sustainability Efforts

New York City Bar’s Environmental Law Committee applauds our work to reduce our environmental footprint.

March 28, 2019Recognition

2019 CLAY Awards: The Ocean Cleanup

Pro bono environmental team advising nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup honored as California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year.

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World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Since 2020, we have partnered with this global, CEO-led organization of more than 200 leading businesses working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world on a range of projects.

Green Bond Principles and Social Bond Principles

We are an inaugural member of the Advisory Council of the Green Bond Principles and Social Bond Principles Executive Committee, which promotes integrity in the green bond and social bond markets through guidelines that recommend transparency, disclosure, and reporting.

China International Business Dialogue on Environmental Governance

We are a co-founder of, and legal counsel to, the China International Business Dialogue on Environmental Governance, a coalition that facilitates dialogue between Chinese environmental regulatory authorities and multinational businesses active in China.