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“Fierce Urgency”: Advancing Collaborative Leadership Around Corporate Social Responsibility

Dialogues on Race, Ideology & Reform

Thursday June 10, 2021 | Original Broadcast

Earlier this year, on the heels of a public appeal by prominent Black business executives for Corporate America to take a “non-partisan stand for equality and democracy,” 62 Am Law 100 firms and 19 general counsel offered their support in denouncing the controversial wave of voting rights legislation affecting nearly every state in the union. This call to action, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s April 4, 1967 plea to seize the “fierce urgency of now,” is part of a broader, increasingly ardent emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in modern business. Indeed, as the global workforce continues to diversify, and powerful groups such as the Business Roundtable acknowledge the need “to create value for all [company] stakeholders” (e.g. customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities), the ability of business leaders to effect meaningful change is paramount.

This conversation convenes in-house counsel and law firm leaders for an earnest take on how legal professionals are driving CSR initiatives at large and small organizations. Where and how does the legal function make the greatest impact on corporate strategy? What collaborative opportunities exist between corporate clients and outside counsel? What criteria determine a sustainable and effective corporate policy? And to what extent might internal or external challenges hinder organizational progress?

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Why You Should Attend

  • This program offers a timely and important opportunity for corporate counsel and law firm leaders to explore collaborative opportunities and best practices in advancing corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives
  • Our panelists are widely-lauded change agents who understand the role and influence of Corporate America in shaping public policy and civil discourse
  • Attendees are invited to share questions, perspectives, and ideas throughout this interactive conversation

Who Should Attend

  • General Counsel
  • Deputy General Counsel
  • Associate General Counsel
  • Assistant General Counsel
  • Law Firm Chairs & Managing Partners
  • Law Firm Executive Committee members
  • Law Firm C-Suite officers

Chair(s) and Faculty

Chair(s) Faculty
Axel Threlfall
Editor at Large, Reuters
David Curran
Chief Sustainability and ESG Officer, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Kristina Friedman
Head of Global ESG Strategy, PayPal
Karen Hsu Kelley
Partner & Head, Public Company Advisory Practice, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Alison Nelson
Director, DEI Strategies & Program Planning, Ford Motor Company
Beth Sasfai
Senior Vice President, Corporate Governance & Chief ESG Officer, Verizon

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(all times local)

Thursday June 10, 2021

12:00 PM ET "Fierce Urgency": Advancing Collaborative Leadership Around Corporate Social Responsibility

Earlier this year, on the heels of a public appeal by prominent Black business executives for Corporate America to take a “non-partisan stand for equality and democracy,” 62 Am Law 100 firms and 19 general counsel offered their support in denouncing the controversial wave of voting rights legislation affecting nearly every state in the union. This call to action, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s April 4, 1967 plea to seize the “fierce urgency of now,” is part of a broader, increasingly ardent emphasis on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in modern business. Indeed, as the global workforce continues to diversify, and powerful groups such as the Business Roundtable acknowledge the need “to create value for all [company] stakeholders” (e.g. customers, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and communities), the ability of business leaders to effect meaningful change is paramount.

 

This conversation convenes in-house counsel and law firm leaders for an earnest take on how legal professionals are driving CSR initiatives at large and small organizations. Where and how does the legal function make the greatest impact on corporate strategy? What collaborative opportunities exist between corporate clients and outside counsel? What criteria determine a sustainable and effective corporate policy? And to what extent might internal or external challenges hinder organizational progress?

 

Moderator:
Axel ThrelfallEditor at Large, Reuters

 

Panelists:
David Curran, Chief Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Officer, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Kristina Friedman, Head of Global ESG Strategy, PayPal
Karen Hsu KelleyPartner & Head, Public Company Advisory Practice, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Alison NelsonDirector of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategies and Program Planning, Ford Motor Company
Beth SasfaiSenior Vice President, Corporate Governance & Chief ESG Officer, Verizon

1:00 PM ET Conclusion

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