How the most sustainable law firms are making a difference
Inspiration and action are still visible from a selection of the AmLaw 50 and many of UK Top 100.
Despite political uncertainty, the most sustainable law firms are doubling down on their responsible business commitments. New research reveals most UK firms are advancing while some — but not all — US counterparts are dialling back. Here's what the leaders are doing differently.
"We're seeing firms make a strategic choice. While many are retrenching and reducing their commitments, we’re also seeing a number of companies on both sides of the Pond make significant and encouraging progress."
Hayley Fothergill, Research Manager at Chambers and Partners and Lamp House Strategy
The latest Lamp House and Chambers Annual Report 2025 analysed 150 leading law firms across the US and UK, measuring their responsible business activity across three core pillars: People, Planet and Governance. What emerges is a fragmenting market where the gap between leaders and laggards is widening dramatically.
The stakes are high. Around a fifth of clients in both US and UK markets cite diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as a factor when selecting law firms. From the employee point of view, 65% of associates value DEI in a firm, and 72% say it’s very important for their firms to prioritise mental health and wellbeing. So, the business case to be among those considered sustainable or ethical law firms remains compelling despite the noise.
Defining Sustainable Law Firms
What does it actually mean to be a sustainable law firm in 2025? At its core, responsible business in a law firm context means creating value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.
“Law firms at their core are people businesses: responsible business means proactively supporting mental health and wellbeing in a notoriously stressful profession and ensuring there is space and opportunity for people of all backgrounds to be included and thrive there within.”
The Lamp House research evaluates firms’ public communications across three interconnected areas:
- Planet encompasses environmental commitments including measuring carbon emissions, setting Net Zero targets and addressing challenging areas like business travel.
- People focuses on creating inclusive workplaces where individuals from all backgrounds can thrive, proactively supporting mental health and advancing diversity initiatives.
- Governance examines how responsible business s embedded into firm strategy through board-level oversight, dedicated leadership roles and ESG risk management.
Leading by Example: The Most Sustainable Law Firms
Taylor Wessing has emerged as the overall leader in the 2025 research, achieving the highest score and experiencing the biggest year-on-year increase. The firm excels at demonstrating how it listens to under-represented groups to create meaningful programmes and uses data to show positive impact across a wide range of initiatives.
"At Taylor Wessing, we believe that fostering innovation and promoting opportunity for all enables us to deliver measurable value for our clients, colleagues and communities. By focusing on data-driven decision making and efficient practices—whether in resource management or supporting career development—we continue to raise standards and contribute positively to long-term business success."
Claire Rainsford, Head of Sustainability, Taylor Wessing
The five highest-scoring firms (in alphabetical order) are:
- Clyde & Co
- DWF
- Pinsent Masons
- Simmons & Simmons
- Taylor Wessing
The wider top 20 includes Addleshaw Goddard, Freshfields, Mishcon De Reya and Shoosmiths.
Six firms in the top 20 are new entrants compared to 2024—all are UK-headquartered. This dynamism demonstrates that leadership in law firm ESG isn't static but achievable for any organisation willing to make the commitment.
Planet: Environmental Action in Law Firms
UK law firms are making the strongest progress in environmental sustainability. The majority of UK firms (57%) now have a publicly declared Net Zero target, up from 44% last year. Among the largest UK top 20 firms, this figure reaches 80%.
The most sustainable law firms aren't just setting targets—they're implementing concrete strategies. Waste reduction programmes, energy reduction measures and renewable energy adoption are the most widespread initiatives.
Business travel remains challenging but transparency is improving. Taylor Wessing, for example, has tackled this by assigning teams carbon and cost budgets, which is having a positive impact on travel decisions.
Almost half of UK firms describe minimum standards for suppliers to comply with, though only 30% explain how they enforce environmental standards. Leading practices include setting targets for suppliers and conducting regular sustainability audits.
People: Building Inclusive and Supporting Workplaces
Whilst US firms have dramatically scaled back public communication about diversity (average scores down 30%), the UK has seen increased disclosure of people-focused initiatives. Recruitment and retention are likely to be factors here. Associates who feel their firm does a good job on responsible business show higher motivation and reduced flight risk.
Supporting women showed the most growth in the UK People category, with over half of UK firms now disclosing enhanced parental leave offerings compared to just a third last year. Of those with enhanced maternity leave, 44% offer 26 weeks at full pay.
For ethnic minorities, 73% of firms have affinity groups, 48% report on ethnicity pay gap and 13% now offer career development programmes specifically for ethnic minority talent—up from 8% last year.
However, the wellbeing gap remains stark. Only 2% of firms have implemented strategies aimed at protecting and respecting vacation time. Just 6% offer dedicated mental health days while only 7% actively monitor individuals’ hours to make proactive interventions —despite these being top priorities for associates.
Governance: Embedding Sustainability at the Highest Levels
The most sustainable law firms embed responsible business into their governance structures at the highest level. Just under half of UK top 100 firms (42%) now have a Responsible Business or ESG board reporting directly to the main board—up from 32% last year.
The biggest year-on-year increase is firms describing how ESG-related risks form part of their risk register or monitoring processes. This demonstrates that sustainable law firms view ESG as fundamental to how they identify and manage risk.
Supply chain responsibility is advancing, with almost half of UK firms setting out minimum standards for suppliers, whether applying the Living Wage throughout the supply chain or tracking labour and human rights metrics.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now emerging as a new governance priority, with 13% of UK firms now publishing information about their commitment to responsible AI use through specific policies, principles or steering groups.
Conclusion: What Next for Sustainable Law Firms?
The market is bifurcating. At the top end, there is positive movement: 11% of the 150 firms now achieve at least half of available points, up from 4% in 2024. At the other end, 15 firms score 5% or less. Political headwinds notwithstanding, responsible business practitioners are optimistic: 90% expect their leadership's commitment to hold firm or strengthen over the next 12 months.
It’s apparent the overall drive towards responsible business continues. Firms that demonstrate commitments can gain competitive advantage in talent attraction and client relationships, while those that disengage risk falling behind on issues that matter to a fifth of clients and to the majority of talent. The added complexity of navigating the US political climate certainly gives American firms pause for thought, but the longer-term momentum looks to favour sustainable and ethical law firms.
Key Takeaways
- UK firms lead with average scores double their AmLaw 50 counterparts, with 65% increasing scores year-on-year whilst US firms saw an average 30% decline.
- Taylor Wessing emerged as 2025's overall leader, tackling difficult areas like travel emissions through carbon budgets and using data to demonstrate the positive impact people-focused initiatives are having on retention.
- Environmental commitments are accelerating, with 57% of UK firms now having Net Zero targets—up from 44%—and 80% of the largest firms committed to decarbonisation.
- The wellbeing gap represents the biggest opportunity, with only 2% of firms implementing vacation time protections despite this being a top associate priority.
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