Law firms’ ESG decisions in our current geopolitical environment: a follow-up discussion after the US presidential elections

When it comes to Environmental, Social, and Governance programs for professional service firms, there is no one with greater insight and deeper experience than Pam Cone. Given her entire career in professional services firms, and her graduate education, experience and passion for ESG, she is uniquely qualified to advise and counsel firms to move their efforts from "transactional" toward achieving greater "transformational" outcomes.

ANNA BABYCH Executive partner, head of the M&A and Corporate/Commercial practice EXPERTISE Anna Babych is also co-head of the Energy and Natural Resources, Private Equity and Technology, Media and Telecommunications industry groups. Regarded by industry experts as one of Ukraine’s leading transactional lawyers, Anna focuses on international and domestic mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and providing general corporate commercial advice to private and public companies. Her transactional experience includes leading roles on a range of the most complex high value deals in recent Ukrainian history. She also represents clients on a broad range of matters related to setting up optimal legal structures for businesses in Ukraine. Anna is a well-known practitioner in the sphere of corporate governance. In addition, she regularly advises national and international clients on labor and employment issues arising out of mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, and transfers of undertaking. Her client base includes large national and international corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms operating in the CIS region. EDUCATION • National University of Kyiv Mohyla Academy. Master of Laws (2005), with Distinction. • Law School BPP University, London. Qualified 2012 - 2014. Graduate Diploma in Law, with Commendation, Legal Practice Course, with Distinction. • QLTS in UK. Passed in September 2015, Admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in March 2016. Non-Practicing Solicitor. • Practicing Solicitor since 08 August 2018. ADMISSION • Practicing Solicitor of England and Wales. • Kyiv City Bar. • Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA). International cooperation: • Vice Chair, ESG Group of the European Regional Forum within the International Bar Association (IBA). RECOGNITION Anna has been repeatedly recommended by reputable international and local legal rankings such as Chambers Europe, Chambers Global, The Legal 500, IFLR 1000, Best Lawyers, Who's Who Legal, Top 100 Best Lawyers in Ukraine (Clients Choice) and Ukrainian Women in Law by Legal Newspaper (Ukraine), Kyiv Post, The Ukrainian Law Firms. A Handbook for Foreign Clients. In particular: "Most Innovative Lawyer of the Year" by the Financial Times. Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe 2019.

Sean West is an entrepreneur focused on the intersection of law and politics. He is co-founder of Hence Technologies, a software company transforming the legal space, and he is author of GeoLegal Notes, the premier newsletter on geopolitics for legal leaders. Previously he was Deputy CEO of Eurasia Group. He is also founder of DecafLife.com, the top internet destination for decaf coffee.

Sasja Beslik serves as the Chief Investment Strategy Officer at SDG Impact Japan. He leads the development of innovative investment, lending, and advisory solutions that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and create positive social and environmental impact. With over 20 years of international experience in sustainable finance, Sasja has extensive knowledge of the global investor community and the emerging opportunities and challenges in the transition to a sustainable economy.