Environment & Climate Change
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 1
Contact number
+1 212 903 9000Chambers Review
Linklaters advises numerous international clients on the overlap between health and safety and environmental law, often within the context of planned project finance or asset transactions. It offers expertise in low-carbon and climate change mandates, alongside considerable strength in handling regulatory and civil litigation matters relating to contaminated land and water pollution. The firm counts a number of leading corporates and financial institutions among its distinguished client base. It is also active in assisting consumer goods companies with the environmental law aspects of transactions.
Work Highlights
- The firm acts as ESG counsel to Barclays, advising on regulation, climate disclosures, ESG-related risks and sustainable finance.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is able to design and explain complex conceptual models for novel finance structures."
"Linklaters houses excellent ESG specialists across a wide range of disciplines, and is also able to leverage product specialists."
"The team provides clear guidance on the regulatory landscape and our obligations. It is very knowledgeable and able to provide clear direction on the nuances of regulations."
"The team is able to design and explain complex conceptual models for novel finance structures."
"Linklaters houses excellent ESG specialists across a wide range of disciplines, and is also able to leverage product specialists."
"The team provides clear guidance on the regulatory landscape and our obligations. It is very knowledgeable and able to provide clear direction on the nuances of regulations."
Notable Practitioners
Vanessa Havard-Williams is a consultant at Linklaters who is held in high regard for her wide-ranging expertise. She advises clients on a range of areas including regulatory compliance and corporate sustainability.
"Vanessa is an excellent all-round climate expert who is strong on both policy and ESG risk management."
"Vanessa is one of my favourites in this market."
Rachel Barrett is a partner in the ESG practice at Linklaters. She assists clients with a broad range of environment mandates and is well placed to advise on ESG and transactional matters. She guides clients through UK and EU ESG reporting regimes.
"Rachel provides recognised ESG leadership, strong client skills and the ability to manage complex stakeholders."
"She takes a very pragmatic and common-sense approach. Her style is very refreshing and easy. You never feel intimidated by her, despite the fact she's hugely talented."
"I love her helicopter view on matters. She is able to zoom in and out on things that matter."
"She is an excellent adviser across all the detail, but also commercial and pragmatic, offering interesting perspectives."
Chris Staples regularly advises clients in the energy and banking sectors. He is noted for his expertise in emissions trading matters and has a particular focus on climate change regulation.
"Chris is incredibly commercially aware and very pragmatic."
"Chris is one of the leading lawyers globally in this space. He is extremely experienced and well respected."
"Chris was the primary reason I approached Linklaters to carry out work for us."