Business & Human Rights Law | Global

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:

• Expertise on the development and implementation of the UN's Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP).

• A service for public and private sector clients from various industries, most notably the energy sector.

• Advice on a broad spectrum of mandates including risk assessment and management due diligence and compliance with modern slavery legislation.

• Experience in handling disputes for major companies operating in politically volatile states.

Herbert Smith Freehills boasts a robust global presence and a distinguished offering in the business and human rights field. The law firm manages both national and cross-border cases through its dedicated international team, operating throughout Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. Its offering consists of:

• International expertise and in-depth knowledge of emerging markets.

• An exceptional grasp of the UNGP and its application for a range of clients in sectors including sports, infrastructure and banking.

• Advice on policy drafting, due diligence, modern slavery legislation, risk assessment and crisis management.

• An aptitude for high-stakes litigation matters. 

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global powerhouse with a notable presence in the business and human rights law space. The practice is driven by capable teams in the UK, Australia and Canada. The law firm offers:

• Advice for financial institutions, international investors and large corporations on compliance matters relating to human rights responsibilities.

• 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.

• Expertise in the mining and resources industry, frequently acting on matters relating to conflict minerals.

• An engagement with collective actions, legislative reform and pro bono activity on behalf of governments and NGOs.

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, New York and London with additional support from a variety of teams across the globe on cross-border matters. The law firm offers:

• Expertise in investor-state arbitrations concerning human rights abuses and environmental law violations.

• Advice to multinational corporates on human rights due diligence, supply chain risk assessment and compliance with modern slavery legislation.

• An aptitude for disputes and class actions in relation to alleged violations of consumer protection laws by supply chains.

• A notable focus on the environmental and human rights implications of mining operations across the world.

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:

• Expertise in the design and implementation of global compliance programmes incorporating the UNGP.

• Ongoing counsel to multinational corporations in relation to the human rights issues arising from their supply chains.

• Advice on the obligations brought upon corporates by modern slavery legislation.

• Experience representing high-profile clients in litigation concerning the alleged human rights violations of their subsidiaries. 

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:

• An ESG practice covering areas of litigation, corporate governance, corporate transactions, finance, compensation, information security, tax and business and human rights.

• Assistance to clients dealing with supply chain challenges, issues regarding developing legal regimes in mandatory human rights, environmental due diligence and human capital.

• Lawyers with knowledge across the business and human rights community.

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:

• Expertise in numerous fields including international arbitration, public international law, international trade, energy, mining, international employment law, global human capital and environmental law.

• A team that is at the forefront of horizon-scanning and reporting on global developments.

• A strong reputation for defending and suing major corporations and assisting human rights victims before national and international courts and human rights bodies.

Linklaters is an international firm 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:

• Expertise on the intersection of environmental law and human rights for business.

• Advice to lenders on the environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) impacts of large project financings.

• Assistance to multinational corporations and major tech companies in relation to human rights due diligence and supply chain management.

• Experience in coordinating with leading global human rights NGOs.

A&O Shearman is a globally-integrated firm with a significant human rights practice spanning litigation and compliance across several markets. The practice is spearheaded by the London office and bolstered by active teams in Paris, New York and Amsterdam. The law firm offers:

• Experience representing multinational corporations in civil claims pertaining to human rights violations.

• Expertise in advising major financial institutions on the human rights implications of project finance transactions across the globe.

• Advice to international corporates on human rights due diligence and obligations set by modern slavery legislation.

• Ongoing counsel to large retailers in relation to the development of supply chain regulation.

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: 

• Comprehensive advisory services to multinational corporations and public sector clients.

• A focus on human rights reporting and supply chain matters, employment issues and compliance with modern slavery legislation.

• Experience representing large corporations in litigation concerning human rights violations in developing countries.

• A commitment to representing NGOs, charities and knowledge institutes on advisory and research projects.

Based in Washington, DC, Foley Hoag has impressive capabilities in the field, and experienced in modern business and human rights law. The firm also frequently attracts praise for its corporate social responsibility team. The law firm offers:

• Advice to multinational corporations and governments on existing and emerging legal requirements as implemented by the UNGP.

• Expertise in a range of disputes mandates, policy implementation and risk assessments.

• Global capabilities, driven by an effective coordination with its Paris office.

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:

• Experience in advising clients on the implementation of human rights policy, as governed by the UNGP and the French Duty of Vigilance.

• Advice on compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act.

• An ability to defend multinational corporations against class actions and civil claims alleging human rights abuses.

• Cooperation with NGOs to establish support mechanisms for rights-holders and victims of human rights violations in high-risk jurisdictions.

Paul Hastings is well regarded for its work advising high-profile clients on a range of business and human rights matters. The law firm offers:

• Proficiency in handling cross-border work for large multinational clients.

• Expertise in developing human rights policies and programmes for multinationals and major extractive companies.

• Assistance with a broad range of compliance issues including modern slavery legislation.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth is based in Australia and is well regarded for its business and human rights practice, where the team advises clients on a range of matters. The law firm offers:

• Experience on human rights related dispute resolution and crisis management.

• Expertise on due diligence and human rights impact assessments.

• Assistance to clients in developing human rights compliance policies and processes.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is recognised for its developing expertise in the fields of business and human rights, working on a range of related issues. The law firm offers:

• Expertise on modern slavery, forced labour and supply chain due diligence.

• Experience advising on OECD guidelines and the UNGPs.

• Capabilities in human rights-related civil litigation and dispute resolution.

Watson Farley & Williams is a well-regarded international firm, with significant business and human rights expertise housed in its London office. The law firm offers:

• A strong track record in international work, spanning Europe, Asia and Africa, in both contentious and compliance-related matters.

• Experience handling a range of relevant issues including supply chain due diligence, risk assessment procedures and compliance with modern slavery legislation.

• Expertise advising on non-judicial mechanisms including OECD National Contact Points.