Debevoise & Plimpton appoints first senior ESG advisor

Debevoise & Plimpton appoints first senior ESG advisor

Ulysses Smith's appointment comes amid an ongoing industry-wide push

Debevoise & Plimpton has hired sustainability expert Ulysses Smith as its first senior environmental, social and governance (ESG) adviser in New York.

He joined Debevoise's Manhattan headquarters in the newly created role. His focus areas would be legal, regulatory and business aspects in order to assist clients to keep up with the dynamic ESG landscape, the firm said.

A seasoned expert operating at the intersection of sustainability, governance, law, anti-corruption and human rights, Smith's experience covers advising major multinationals, nonprofits and governments.

Welcoming Smith to the firm, Michael Blair, presiding partner at Debevoise, said, "It is the latest strategic step we have taken to ensure our clients have access to comprehensive ESG advice and guidance, and we welcome him to the firm."

After spending a decade as an associate at Linklaters between 2007 and 2017, Smith spent four years advising the UN Global Compact on anti-corruption and global governance matters. He served as the president and CEO of Telos Governance Advisers, a New York-based advisory business working with corporate, nonprofit and government clients.

He is currently a member of the UN Global Compact Expert Network, an international advisory group of representatives across a number of sectors focused on sustainability and governments. He is also the former chairman of the New York City Bar Association's United Nations Committee.