Dentons appoints global ESG leader for behemoth law firm

Dentons appoints global ESG leader for behemoth law firm

Dentons, a 12,000-attorney law firm, has hired its first global ESG leader to handle both the law firm's own strategy and functions for clients, the company announced

In a statement released by the firm, Dentons says Aragon St-Charles is its new head of sustainability. He previously worked at the law firm Hogan Lovells. In addition to leading the Asia Pacific region's operations, St-Charles also headed Hogan Lovells' Tokyo office.

Though some large law firms have appointed high-level personnel to lead sustainable practices or ESG initiatives, these positions don't seem to be prevalent in the legal industry.

Additionally, some law firms are creating and expanding practice groups that focus on issues related to ESG like risk assessments, governance, disclosure obligations and corporate social responsibility.

Dentons' global chairman, Joe Andrew, called ESG investments a cornerstone of the firm's business model in a statement.

The ESG strategy involving real estate, procurement and travel decisions will be discussed with St-Charles and Dentons' global board and leadership, Andrew said.

According to the firm, he will also work closely with the ESG steering committee, responsible for creating ESG-related products and services for clients.

DLA Piper, another large firm with a global presence, appointed a managing director of sustainability and resilience into a newly created executive position for ESG.

In October 2020, Norton Rose Fulbright was named its first sustainability leader for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, while Baker McKenzie made its first chief sustainability officer announcement.

Hogan Lovells' Susan Bright, the global managing partner for diversity and inclusion and accountable business, offered best wishes for St-Charles in a statement.