We have dedicated practitioners in the areas of energy regulation, corporate and M&A commercial real estate and construction. We have strong reputation for advising on the development of renewable energy projects including wind farms, solar, offshore wind and wave energy projects.

Key Contact: Philip Daly

Our real estate team has significant experience advising investors, developers, landlords and occupiers on green leases and green building standards such as LEED, NZEB, Fitwell and BREEAM. The team works closely with our Construction and Banking teams in advising our clients on sustainable construction and finance. The role of ESG in Real Estate is dynamic and ever evolving, and our team are committed to ensuring they are at the forefront of thought leadership in this critically important and life changing area.

Key Contacts: Clair Cassidy and Patrick Ryan

We assist our clients to embed sustainable construction principles in the development and operations of their projects. There are ESG considerations at every stage of the build lifecycle. We can advise on the ESG aspects of:

• Procurement
• Regulation and Best practice
• Health and safety
• Renewable Energy Infrastructure
• Social Housing
• Retrofitting Contracts for Commercial Property

Key Contact: Jamie Ritchie

We advise clients on corporate governance compliance, disclosure requirements and risk mitigation to ensure compliance with applicable law and guidance with reference to appropriate policies and corporate governance frameworks.  We advise clients on corporate power purchase agreements, JVs for investment in biomethane projects.

Key Contact: Richard Curran and Gemma Forde

We advise clients on finance for development of offices, student accommodation, social housing and financing renewable energy projects. We are experienced in advising investors, lenders, and corporate borrowers in the provision of green loans and sustainability linked finance.

Key Contact: Jenny Ahern

We advise our clients in developing asset management solutions to meet sustainable investment objectives.

Following increasing investor interest in sustainable investment opportunities, we advise our clients on developing asset management solutions in line with sustainable finance law and regulation in Ireland and related ESG requirements. In particular, we advise on the application of the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (SFDR), the Taxonomy Regulation and the establishment of Article 8 and Article 9 investment funds.

We provide support to clients relation to:

• structuring investment funds in compliance with applicable SFDR requirements;
• drafting and adjusting policies and procedures to meet ESG requirements;
• product classification and distribution methods;
• compliance with ESG disclosure including risk requirements;
• obligations arising from the EU’s Sustainable Finance Action Plan;
• compliance with corporate governance including remuneration policies, diversity and anti-bribery and corruption;
• listing investment products on green exchanges;
• board training on ESG and governance; and
• ongoing EU legal and regulatory developments.

With support from our Banking, Employment, Real Estate and Corporate teams, we provide ESG asset management solutions to our clients.

Key Contact: David Naughton

Privacy and data protection are fundamental aspects of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. ESG data sourcing and reporting may engage data protection considerations. Data security and privacy compliance also play key roles in the social and governance measurements of ESG frameworks. We advise clients on these complex data protection and privacy issues.

Key Contact: Jane O’Grady

The social and governance components of ESG bring with them many employment law considerations.  For in-scope employers, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) introduced the requirement for mandatory reporting which includes the requirement to demonstrate and report on equal pay, pay transparency, fair pay and security of employment,  an open and transparent workplace culture supporting employees in blowing the whistle and protected disclosures.  Additional responsibilities include identifying and addressing human rights concerns.

We advise and work closely with our clients on their diversity and inclusion policies, the Work Life Balance Act, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, equal pay/pay transparency, workplace health and safety, protected disclosures and their compliance and reporting requirements including the gender pay gap reporting requirements.

Key Contact: Aoife Bradley

Greenwashing carries with it the risk of reputational damage and fines. Tackling the issue of 'greenwashing' is a key priority for regulators internationally. We advise clients on how to effectively mitigate any potential damage to your business and to navigate risk.

Key Contact: Jill Callanan

We advise our clients and all aspects of governance and company law. A robust governance framework is fundemental to ensuring good Environment and Social practices. 

Key Contact: Colm Hanley