Akin Gump Launches “Accelerate ESG” Podcast Series

(Washington, D.C.) – Akin Gump, which, in 2015, became among the first international law firms to launch a group dedicated to counseling clients on issues in the environmental, social and governance (ESG) space, is pleased to announce the launch of its Accelerate ESG podcast series. The series will feature in-depth conversations on global ESG issues.

Accelerate ESG episodes will build on Akin Gump’s extensive, market-leading thought leadership in the ESG space and will feature Akin Gump lawyers and advisors, as well as outside professionals, discussing timely, business-critical ESG issues impacting organizations around the globe.

The inaugural Accelerate ESG podcast episode wraps up of some of the key developments and resolutions emerging from the 2021 COP26 conference in Glasgow.

It’s hosted by climate change and ESG groups co-leader Stacey Mitchell and features a conversation with COP26 attendees Ken Markowitz, a climate change and sustainability law veteran and co-leader of the firm’s climate change group, and Naboth van den Broek, a partner in the firm’s London office who advises companies and governments on issues at the intersection of international law, policy, government and strategy.

“There is virtually no industry or sector of the economy that is untouched by ESG issues, and the principles and pressures of ESG are pervading virtually every area of our clients’ businesses,” said partner Kerry Berchem, who also co-leads Akin Gump’s ESG group. “This is a pivotal moment to launch this podcast series, which presents a platform for us to share in depth with clients the ripple effect ESG is having on all aspects of business around the world.”

Added partner and fellow ESG group co-leader Amy Kennedy, “Akin Gump is on the leading edge of helping clients both to innovate and to implement ESG principles into their strategies—whether by moving towards net-zero carbon emissions, building a more-inclusive boardroom and workforce, using the power of their capital to advance a socially and environmentally responsible agenda, or staying ahead of the curve on the next wave of market pressures. Accelerate ESG is yet another way that we are informing our clients and helping them understand the swiftly evolving challenges and opportunities in this space.”

As noted, Akin Gump launched its dedicated ESG group in 2015. Since then, the group has grown into a team of nearly 90 lawyers and advisors across the firm, dedicated to assisting clients develop forward-thinking ESG strategies to advance their sustainability commitments and respond to their shareholders and other stakeholders, including through robust governance programs, development of greenhouse gases and other environmental targets, as well as diversity and inclusion standards.

The launch of Accelerate ESG follows on from the firm’s inaugural Global ESG Summit, which took place in September 2021 and featured virtual panels comprising Akin Gump practitioners and outside professionals discussing key issues and trends in the ESG space. More information, including recordings of all of the panel discussions, may be found here.

Other ESG-related podcast episodes already available include “An ESG Roadmap for Business,” “What You Need to Know About ESG Transparency” and “ESG Litigation in the UK and EU.” For additional ESG thought leadership and resources, including our Accelerate ESG newsletter, please visit Akin Gump’s ESG web page.

About the podcast

Akin Gump’s Accelerate ESG podcast is an outgrowth of the firm’s broader and award-winning podcast series OnAir with Akin Gump, which was launched in 2018. Over the course of the more than 60 OnAir episodes produced to date, the firm has examined in depth a vast array of legal issues impacting businesses and organizations worldwide. In April of this year, the firm announced the launch of OnAir: Health Care, a podcast series devoted to the policy, regulatory and legal issues impacting the health care sector. (Click here to learn more.)

All Akin Gump podcasts may be found on Akin Gump’s website as well as on other streaming services such as iTunes, Spotify, YouTube and SoundCloud. Please subscribe to Accelerate ESG and our other series on your favorite of these services.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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