As a firm, we take our own ESG responsibilities seriously. Part of that is a commitment to Sustainability, which is driven by an internal and long-standing Green Committee that leads various initiatives at the firm.
- We apply environmentally sustainable practices throughout our offices, achieving substantial reductions in energy usage, waste streams, consumption of natural resources and overall carbon footprint.
- We participate in a global carbon offsetting program for the firm’s air and rail travel (see detail here).
- We are members of Vorgate, an ESG-focused technology company that promotes environmental sustainability practices in law firms.
- As part of Vorgate’s All Legal Industry Sustainability Standard (ALISS) initiative, we currently hold a Gold rating in recognition of firm-wide sustainability efforts.
- We participated in the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority’s Commercial Tenant Program for our new headquarters in New York. The program seeks to help tenants implement design changes and other improvements to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
- We work with suppliers to provide environmentally friendly products and to help us reduce our environmental footprint and employ sustainability practices used in other leading companies.
- We partner with the firm’s food services providers in London and New York to promote locally-sourced foods and to replace disposable plastic utensils with biodegradable products. We have also donated used cooking oil to produce around 2,000 gallons of carbon-neutral biodiesel fuel.
- We support cycle-to-work schemes in our three largest offices (New York, London, and Washington, D.C.)
- We undertake tailored, local initiatives in each of our offices around the world, engaging with local organizations to reduce our environmental impact in any given city. For example, in New York, we engage with Green Drop to keep millions of reusable items out of landfills. Our New York and Washington, D.C. offices also partner with City Harvest and Feeding America to donate a percentage of every meal order to help feed the hungry.
Our sustainability efforts are part of our wider firm ESG program, which also involves focused Social and Governance initiatives:
We have embedded diversity and inclusion within all elements of the firm’s broader talent development work. For more detail, see here.
Our pro bono work is central to our culture. We focus on helping underserved and vulnerable communities tackle social problems and solve complex legal issues. For more detail, see here.
- Anti-bribery and corruption
The firm maintains a detailed Anti-Corruption, Entertainment and Gifts Policy, which applies across the firm’s global offices.
It sets clear requirement concerning the giving and receiving of gifts, meals, entertainment, travel and accommodation.
All employees certify on an annual basis that they have reviewed and will comply with the policy.
Debevoise lawyers and staff have always placed a high value on being active members of our communities.
All our lawyers and staff are encouraged to engage with professional, sector and local organizations. For example:
- Deborah Enix-Ross has served as President of the American Bar Association.
- Catherine Amirfar has served as the President of the American Society of International Law.
- David W. Rivkin has served as President of the International Bar Association.
- Michael Diz serves on the Legal Advisory Board of the Partnership for New York City’s Innovation Council.
- Marilyn Lion serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel.
- Patricia Volhard serves as a member of the Board of the BVK (the German private equity association).
- Geoffrey Burgess has served as co-chair of Legal and Regulatory Committee of the Africa Venture Capital Association.
- Ulysses Smith serves on the advisory board of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance.
We have a proud history of taking leadership roles in many of these organizations.