Media outlets, including The American Lawyer and Law360, spoke with partners Johnjerica Hodge and India Williams on India's arrival at Katten and their launch of the ESG Risk and Investigations practice. The article notes that the co-chairs are women of color whose practice will help companies identify their environmental, social and governance- (ESG) related risks, establish the necessary policies and procedures to establish or enhance their ESG programs, and provide in-depth, independent assessments of their impact on, among other things, racial equity, civil rights, human rights, workplace culture and gender pay parity.
Johnjerica told The American Lawyer, “Katten is making the concerted effort of creating this group not just for the headline-grabbing work of racial equity and SEC investigations. India and I have this view that is shared by Katten leadership that there is an ESG perspective in every sector for every client.” India echoed this sentiment for Law360, stating, “ESG offers an opportunity to really do good in the world” and also to “provide a valuable service to our clients and to help move their business initiatives forward.”
India noted the importance of building a diverse team when it comes to working with clients on ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion issues. She stated, “There is the increasing expectation that companies are asking for diversity in the makeup of their legal teams. Presenting that from the forefront shows we are intentional about that from the beginning.”
Katten's ESG Rick and Investigations team includes former federal prosecutor Gil M. Soffer, who co-chairs the litigation department; Leslie D. Minier, Katten's chief diversity partner; securities litigation partner Danette R. Edwards, a former senior counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commission's enforcement division; and other attorneys in areas including white collar defense, internal investigations, appellate litigation and regulatory compliance.
"'In Every Sector For Every Client': Katten Takes Broad Approach in New ESG Practice," The American Lawyer, February 14, 2023
"New Katten Practice To Target ESG's Growing Significance," Law360, February 15, 2023
"Katten Launches New Practice Focused on ESG Risk and Investigations," Savoy, February 15, 2023
"Williams Moves to Katten's New ESG Practice," The Deal, February 15, 2023
"ESG NEWS—Katten launches new ESG Risk and Investigations practice," Wolters Kluwer, February 16, 2023
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