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Ranking tables

Global Global Market Leaders Business & Human Rights Law

Business & Human Rights covers the responsibility bestowed upon large international corporations to carry out their operations in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. There is currently legislation in various countries to reinforce this initiative, including the UK Modern Slavery Act, the French Duty of Vigilance laws, the Australian Modern Slavery Act, and the Dutch Child Labour Due Diligence Law. There are similar laws set to be introduced in Germany, Canada, and many other countries. Under these laws, the parent companies are pressed to conduct due diligence reports of all their subsidiaries, as they are now technically able to be sued in their headquartered country for its actions abroad. A typical example of a client in this section is a large-scale mining company, with a host of subsidiary companies operating mines in Africa. Should one of these subsidiaries be responsible for an environmental or human rights-related violation, the central question is put forward: does the parent company, typically headquartered elsewhere, have a duty of care for the actions of this indirect subsidiary The growing answer in the world is that it does. In 2019, there was a landmark decision in the UK Supreme Court, known simply as Vedanta, in which it was deemed that the multinational parent company did owe a duty of care to the claimants. Advice and litigation support is expected to skyrocket henceforth. The lawyers ranked in this section are essentially experts in these laws and a wide range of other international human rights guidelines. They typically advise these large, multinational companies on: human rights due diligence-reporting; constructing internal human rights policies and grievance mechanisms to pay victims; responding to allegations and litigation claims; and conducting human rights impact assessments in high-risk countries, to name the main areas. Their roster of clients does extend beyond mining companies, though those are usually the most affected. Others include corporations in the technology, food production and consumer products sectors - essentially any company big enough to have a complex, international supply chain. The key players in the market are also likely to be close counsel to banks and investors. This area of law is still very much in its infancy and changing rapidly with each passing year. Therefore, it is still quite important to not only advise clients in this space, but also push for the development of it in more external capacities. Most of the lawyers ranked here have played a very important role in the development of laws and standards, working with government, the UN, and research organisations and NGOs. As such, a highly ranked firm or lawyer is expected to be both a practical business counsel on these issues and a 'thought leader', who is sought out in non-client capacities.

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Band 1
  1. Clifford Chance LLP
    1
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 1 | 3 Years Ranked
    Clifford Chance has a top-tier business and human rights team based in London, widely recognised for its global influence and depth of service. The law firm offers:
  2. Herbert Smith Freehills
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 1
2
Band 2
  1. Norton Rose Fulbright
    2
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 2 | 3 Years Ranked
    • Insights into the reputational risks for entities in a variety of industry sectors and issues stemming from the emerging legal framework, including the Modern Slavery Act, the French Duty of Vigilance Law and the UNGP.
  2. White & Case LLP
    2
    White & Case LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 2 | 3 Years Ranked
    White & Case is a reputable law firm with a vast global footprint, and an increasingly active presence in the field of business and human rights. The practice is driven by the firm's offices in Washington, Los Angeles, New York and London with additional support from a variety of teams across the globe on cross-border matters. The law firm offers:
3
Band 3
  1. DLA Piper LLP
    3
    DLA Piper LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    DLA Piper possesses a growing practice in the field of business and human rights law, housing a dedicated team which is notably active advising on UK and Australian matters. The law firm offers:
  2. Foley Hoag LLP
    3
    Foley Hoag LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    Widely considered a pioneer in the field, and a forerunner in modern business and human rights law. Based in Washington, DC, Foley Hoag frequently attracts praise for its corporate social responsibility team. The law firm offers:
  3. Hogan Lovells
    3
    Hogan Lovells
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    Hogan Lovells is a global firm with noteworthy capabilities in corporate social responsibility and human rights. Hogan Lovells coordinates its international practice via its global office platform, being especially active in London, Paris and the USA. The law firm offers:
  4. Linklaters
    3
    Linklaters
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    Linklaters is an international firm increasingly committed to providing human rights business counsel on major transactions. Driven by the London office, accompanied by a team of specialist advisers across its global network, the law firm offers:
  5. Allen & Overy LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 3
4
Band 4
  1. Covington & Burling LLP
    4
    Covington & Burling LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Covington & Burling is a fast-growing presence in the business and human rights space. Building upon its formidable US base, the firm is noted for its transatlantic coordination, as well as its strength in Europe. Its Washington, DC office is at the forefront of matters, supported by teams in London, New York and Brussels. The law firm offers:
  2. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    4
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Gibson Dunn's ESG practice provides holistic and sophisticated advice to clients on their corporate responsibility and environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities. Gibson Dunn offers expertise with regards to business and human rights issues in the context of its clients’ international operations and complex corporate structures. The firm also offers.
  3. King & Spalding LLP
    4
    King & Spalding LLP
    Business & Human Rights Law
    2023 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    King & Spalding’s Business and Human Rights Practice is best known for its impressive track record of advising the world’s leading corporations on all aspects of their business, social and human rights risks and responsibilities. The law firm offers.