Baker McKenzie's has expanded its environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) offering with the appointment of Sydney based Ruth Dawes as an ESG partner.
Baker McKenzie's National Managing Partner, Anthony Foley stated: "Ruth is familiar with all aspects of environment and planning law, with particular experience advising on major projects, sustainability, renewable energy zones and transmission infrastructure. Ruth is passionate about helping businesses find new opportunities in transitioning to a net zero emissions future."
In addressing the importance of ESG to both the Firm and its clients, Anthony commented: "The duty of managing environmental risks and liabilities while attending to environmental regulatory challenges and compliance, has never been more critical to our clients as we move further towards a decarbonised economy. Ruth's appointment furthers our commitment to addressing these challenges for our clients."
With almost 300 lawyers around the world, Baker McKenzie's Environmental and Climate Change Group provides unparalleled global coverage and environmental legal expertise and is recognised year-after-year as the leading climate and environmental practice among international law firms.
When asked what it means to join Baker McKenzie, Ruth responded: "Baker McKenzie has long been the market leader in delivering ESG advice to clients, particularly as it relates to climate change and the environment. Recent developments in the financial markets and at COP26 reinforce that our clients need to be considering climate related risk and sustainability disclosure. These issues span economic sectors and borders. I look forward to working with a highly experienced, Australian and global team with its integrated Energy Transition and Projects practices."
From advising on environmental markets, recycled water plants to light rail operations, Ruth, who joins from King & Wood Mallesons has extensive experience working on major project planning and approval pathways, biodiversity, Aboriginal cultural heritage, climate change, land contamination and remediation, along with environmental compliance.
Ruth further complements Baker McKenzie's unique combination of local expertise and international perspectives enabling the Firm to seamlessly merge a traditional environmental law practice with specialised climate change, carbon market and sustainability practice to provide unrivalled legal counsel for both domestic and international clients.