Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy 2021 Annual Report
What We Do
Stanford’s Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy Initiative connects the world’s leading legal teams with NGOs and startups working to create environmental change. In 2021, 17 private law firms in the initiative provided over $20 million in pro bono legal services to support sustainability efforts. The groundbreaking work being done by pro bono clients and supported by the law firms is critical to combating climate change and sustaining conservation efforts globally. The projects tackled a wide range of climate and energy issues, including:
- Designing new efficient heat pumps that help decarbonize heating and cooling;
- Increasing energy efficiency in computing;
- Working to replace jet fuel with biogas-derived liquid natural gas;
- Designing more cost-effective and efficient wind turbine blades;
- Accelerating the decarbonization of heavy-duty transport through the development of advanced hydrogen storage systems for use aboard trucks, ships, and planes;
- Converting inactive oil and gas wells into energy storage; and
- Creating a climate tech marketplace for local impact investing.
Other projects focused on sustainable land use and environmental justice, including setting up conservation easements to protect undeveloped land for habitat and developing closed-loop energy and water systems to support sustainable agriculture and reduce food insecurity in disadvantaged communities.
Pro Bono Project Highlights
Types of Legal Support
NGOs and startups can apply for free legal assistance in a variety of areas, including:
- Structuring: Selecting the right legal entity for your NGO or startup.
- Commercial Contracts and Funding: Partnership or funding agreements.
- Staffing: Employment and volunteer agreements.
- Advocacy: Research on laws in multiple jurisdictions.
- IP and brand protection: Trademark registration, copyright, patents and licensing.
Looking Ahead
Who's in the Initiative?
17
Major, private U.S. law firms
$20M
Provided in pro bono legal services in 2021
2
Corporate and non-profit partners
Getting Involved
If you are interested in joining the initiative as a law firm or as a corporate partner, please email us at lawyersforsustainability@law.stanford.edu.
The firms offer pro bono legal assistance to entrepreneurs and non-profits taking on key sustainability challenges.
Law Firms
The firms committed to providing free legal services for on-going and new sustainability matters in the amounts below in 2021, though many exceeded their pledges for a total of over $20 million:
- Akin Gump ($250,000)
- Arnold & Porter* ($1 million)
- Beveridge & Diamond ($250,000)
- Cooley* ($1 million)
- Debevoise & Plimpton ($1 million)
- Fenwick ($250,000)
- Hogan Lovells* ($250,000)
- Holland & Knight* ($1 million)
- Latham & Watkins* ($1 million)
- Michelman & Robinson ($250,000)
- Morgan Lewis ($250,000)
- Morrison & Foerster* ($2 million)
- Nixon Peabody ($1 million)
- Orrick ($1 million)
- Ropes & Gray ($1 million)
- Seyfarth Shaw ($350,000)
- Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati* ($2 million)
*Lead founder of the LSE Initiative
Corporate and NGO Partners
The private sector and NGOs like Grist are working with law firms to support connections between law firms and pro bono recipients. For example, Microsoft will help to connect grantees from its AI for Earth program – a five-year, $50 million initiative that supports and partners with environmental groups, academic researchers, and start-ups – with the initiative for legal support. In-house counsel from additional companies, including MetLife, have also volunteered to provide pro bono assistance.
Companies participating in the Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy are making a commitment to assist the initiative in a number of ways, including by:
- Enabling company in-house lawyers to provide pro bono assistance to clients directly, or in coordination with outside LSE-member law firms, on company time;
- Encouraging outside law firms and other companies to participate in the LSE initiative; and
- Using their community outreach activities to identify potential clients who may qualify for, and benefit from, pro bono services provided through the LSE network.
How it Works
![How it Works (step-by-step): [1] Fill out the form; [2] Discuss legal request with Stanford Law School; [3] Stanford Law School provides your project description and request to the firms in the Initiative; [4] Stanford Law School will help to connect you with a firm.](https://www-cdn.law.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/lawyers-for-a-sustainable-economy-2.png)
Client Testimonials
Sponsors*
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*Premium Sponsors are sponsors providing over $15,000, Partner Sponsors are sponsors providing over $7,500, and Advocate Sponsors are sponsors providing over $2,500
*Premium Sponsors are sponsors providing over $15,000, Partner Sponsors are sponsors providing over $7,500, and Advocate Sponsors are sponsors providing over $2,500