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Highlights

Since its foundation, Morais Leitão has had values such as the defence of human rights, the affirmation of democracy in its DNA and environmental sustainability. Corporate responsibility has always been a nuclear cornerstone of Morais Leitão’s mission and values.

The decision-making process in line with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors and the rules in preparation within the European Union regarding the respect for human rights and environment in the value chains of companies represent, for Morais Leitão, the continuation of the advisory services provided to a wide range of organisations to act in an ethical, responsible and sustainable manner.

Sustainable today.
Firm for tomorrow.

Innovating
Sustainability.

Innovating<br />
Sustainability.

At Morais Leitão, we have a multidisciplinary team specialised in ESG and human rights which, in permanent contact with the business, the academic and scientific community, responds to the diversity of ESG and human rights challenges and favours an approach based on the following principles:

  • Legal certainty, provided by a senior and experienced team, whose know-how in the various areas and sectors in which we operate, allows us to anticipate the desired results and the obstacles to be overcome, with gains of efficiency in the work developed, always in alignment with the business strategy and objectives of our clients.
  • Specialisation and multidisciplinarity, due to the fact that it concerns a multidisciplinary team with expertise in public law, corporate, banking and finance, corporate governance, real estate, compliance, European law and competition, tax, labour law and ESG and human rights, whose understanding of the sectors and experience allows for a holistic approach in legal advice, which incorporates strategic analysis of sustainability and ESG and human rights risk management and enables us to anticipate, manage and prevent risks, thus creating value and security for the clients.
  • Use of innovation and technology, by taking advantage of the efficiency gains that new technologies can offer within the scope of sustainability issues, such as risk analysis in the value chain and legal analysis of identified potential and current impacts, allowing clients to monitor, minimise and manage risks, and thus making the provision of services and interaction with the clients as efficient as possible.
  • Recognition of Morais Leitão and its lawyers, in various practice areas, for their professional rigour and competence and for providing a high-quality legal service that contributes to the sustainability and growth of their clients’ businesses.

What topics do we cover?

ESG

Environmental

  • Renewable energy and energy transition
  • Climate change: challenges, risks and opportunities
  • Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources
  • Transition to a circular economy
  • Emissions trading and carbon market
  • Environmental impact and pollution
  • Biodiversity and ecosystems
  • Animal welfare
  • Water, sanitation and waste
  • Soil and forest

Social and human rights

  • Human rights
  • Human capital: relationships with employees and customers
  • Forced and bonded labour
  • Child labour
  • Disabled citizens
  • Minorities
  • Labour and trade union rights
  • Diversity, integration and inclusion
  • Stakeholder and community involvement
  • Privacy and data protection
  • Social innovation
  • Social rights
  • Pro bono work

Governance

  • Prevention of corruption and bribery
  • Prevention of money laundering
  • Ethics and transparency
  • Cybersecurity
  • Compliance
  • Regulatory
  • Conflict of interests and risk analysis
  • Corporate governance: responsibilities, demands and sustainability