The firm made the first appointment in the climate change, sustainability and ESG role in a move that echoes what many major law firms are doing with regard to these areas and the development of sustainability practices.
The appointment is for partners Nicola Swan in Wellington and Alana Lampitt in Auckland.
Nicola Swan previously headed Climate Action at the Sustainable Business Council, working many of New Zealand’s largest companies on climate change policy and strategy. She also worked for nine years on climate change, trade and economic issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand and offshore, including as Private Secretary to the Minister for Climate Change.
Chief Executive Partner, Pip England, said “This is a deliberate investment in expanding the firm’s leadership on ESG and sustainability law. This area is fast moving and highly dynamic and so too is the nature of advice required to navigate it.”
“We are responding to market and client demands by increasing our capability to support our clients in ways that challenge the perceptions of a traditional law firm. Kate’s appointment is particularly exciting given her strong government and international experience.”
The firm has developed its work on climate change law and sustainability and ESG, advising clients on climate-related changes including issues like the Emissions Reduction Plan, New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme and the mandatory climate-related disclosures regime that is to be introduced.
Chapman Tripp is the only New Zealand law firm to have joined the international Net Zero Lawyers Alliance.
For more information about how New Zealand law firms are moving into ESG and sustainability areas this article on former Russell McVeagh lawyer and sustainability consultant Frankie McKeefry (left) is relevant.
