Squire Patton Boggs inaugurates UK ESG strategy

Squire Patton Boggs inaugurates UK ESG strategy

Additionally, the US firm will introduce a full supplier audit by 2026 and achieve 25 percent women partners by that time.

A commitment in reducing its carbon emissions to net-zero by 2035 has been announced by Squire Patton Boggs' environmental, social and governance strategy for the UK.

Another measure in the strategy includes an incremental increase of 50 percent in pro bono work every year, a full supplier audit and ESG training at all levels.

Jonathan Jones, the European managing partner, stated that "Both for us and our clients ESG is a priority." A sustainability-oriented approach is being implemented into the culture of our firm, to ensure that we contribute a sustainable future and hold us accountable for our actions."

Squire will offer 75 percent internships and work experience opportunities to disadvantaged students as part of the strategy, which has also committed in achieving its diversity targets announced April 2022. The firm also plans to have 25 percent of its UK partners be women by 2026 and 16 percent of ethnic minorities represented in the firm by the end of the century.

With increases in female partnerships from 17 percent to 21 percent, as well as ethnic minority representation from 13 percent to 14 percent, the firm claims it is on track to reach its targets.

"Our ESG strategy represents our commitment to integrating sustainability into our firm and helping our clients and communities," said Dr Thomas Hancocks, Squire's ESG manager.

As part of our DEI, charitable initiatives and social mobility initiatives, the strategy aligns with them. Additionally, it provides information on our collaboration with organizations such as the Legal Sustainability Alliance, Science-Based Targets initiative and Social Mobility Foundation, as well as an opportunity to set priorities, set goals and more importantly, to record and report progress," he added.

It was clear that Squire's commitment to DEI was reflected in its 26-strong talent promotion round in February, in which 17 of the 25 partners (65 percent) were diverse in terms of gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Compared to the round in February 2021, when only eight (36 percent) of each new partner were women, 15 (57 percent) of the new partners are women.

As part of its US LLP's leadership transition, Michele Connell succeeded Frederick Nance, who had served as a global managing partner for the firm last September. A new DEI office was created at Squire to help its strategy and management make better use of DEI principles. Nance was part of the firm's executive leadership team while overseeing the department.

The First African-American woman appointed by its global board was Washington DC-based partner Alethia Nancoo in 2021. According to the firm, seven of the twelve board members are considered diverse by having Nancoo serving as a co-chair of its global inclusion and diversity committee.