Dave Curran, ESG and Law Institute executive director and co-chair of the Paul, Weiss ESG Advisory Practice, and corporate partner Laura Turano, co-authored a column, “When It Comes to ESG, You’re Only as Strong as Your Weakest Link,” in ALM Corporate Counsel.
The authors discuss the key role that lawyers play in spotting ESG-related risks during the due diligence phase of an M&A deal and the importance of addressing potential weak links in the company’s supply chains, management, reputational backgrounds of their boards, or data collection practices.
“Lawyers have the duty and the authority to raise a flag if they detect any suspicious activities or missing data, even if it slows down the process,” they write. “The executive team may be under pressure to sign a deal quickly to satisfy investors or pursue their business goals. But lawyers should always remember the power and influence they wield.”