Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announced today that Ulysses Smith has joined the firm’s New York office as ESG Senior Adviser.
In his new role, Mr. Smith will continue to develop Debevoise’s ESG client offering across a range of practices. Specifically, he will focus on advising on client matters and developing thought leadership on legal, regulatory and business developments, to provide clients with actionable insights in this dynamic space.
Mr. Smith brings an impressive track record at the intersection of sustainability, governance, law, anti-corruption and human rights. His experience includes advising major multinationals, not-for profit organizations, governments and multilateral institutions on a range of sustainability and governance issues. Mr. Smith has created tailored and inclusive models of governance and sustainability, addressing a range of ESG factors and risks, including environmental sustainability, human rights and labor issues, corruption and sanctions. He has also worked to advance sustainability, good governance and economic development in more than 20 countries on six continents.
“We have helped our clients navigate the ESG space for many years. As legal, regulatory and public policy developments have placed rapidly increasing scrutiny on these issues, we are advising our clients on ESG issues across all of our practices,” said Michael Blair, Presiding Partner at Debevoise. “Bringing Ulysses to the firm 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.”
Mr. Smith received his B.A. from the University of Illinois in 1997 and his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 2007.
Debevoise has deep experience in the broad range of issues that arise as ESG concerns and requirements become increasingly important. The firm brings together sophisticated, multidisciplinary and multinational teams with expertise in private and public company governance, asset management, private funds, compliance and enforcement, public and private international law, sustainability and environmental matters and labor and benefits issues. It provides tailored and practical guidance across the evolving ESG and business integrity spectrum by counseling on trends and prudential issues, delivering concrete legal advice on evolving regulations and policies, and helping clients prepare for the legal, financial and reputational risks arising in this rapidly changing landscape. Visit the firm’s ESG Resource Center for more insights in this area.
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.