Source: Legal Business

The evolution of ESG in legal practice offers a compelling case study of how emerging fields can reshape traditional legal careers. Wynne Lawrence of Clyde & Co, recently named one of Legal 500’s UK Green Ambassadors, provides a roadmap for lawyers looking to navigate this transformation.

From Financial Risk to Legal Innovation

Lawrence’s journey into ESG began with the Bank of England’s 2015 “Tragedy of the Horizon” report, which highlighted climate change’s impact on financial systems. This intersection of climate risk and business necessity created a new frontier for legal expertise, particularly in helping clients anticipate future regulations and litigation.

The Transformation of Corporate Sustainability

The most significant shift, according to Lawrence, has been ESG’s evolution from a “nice to have” corporate social responsibility initiative to a business imperative. This transformation brings both opportunities and challenges:

• Creates a more level playing field for sustainable businesses
• Raises concerns about compliance overshadowing meaningful action
• Strains in-house legal teams adapting to rapid regulatory changes

Building the Next Generation

Perhaps most notably, Lawrence emphasises the emergence of dedicated ESG legal paths, while highlighting that sustainability touches every practice area. Her pride in building a team of ESG “rising stars” demonstrates how firms can develop specialised expertise while maintaining broad relevance.

The Universal Role of Lawyers in Sustainability

Lawrence’s central message is clear: “Every lawyer has a role to play in sustainability.” This manifests through:

• Client engagement on sustainability issues
• Internal organisational advocacy
• Supplier relationship management
• Reverse mentorship from junior lawyers to senior leadership

This perspective suggests that sustainability in law isn’t just a specialized practice area—it’s becoming fundamental to how legal services evolve in response to global challenges.

The message for the legal community is clear: whether specializing in ESG or practicing in traditional areas, understanding sustainability is becoming essential for modern legal practice.

Read more: Legal Business