CSR + ESG = Sustainability at O’Melveny Corporate Social Responsibility Environmental Social Governance Legal Services ESG CSR
1 Brad Butwin, Firm Chair So many traits make O’Melveny what it is—a law firm, I believe, like no other. For some, it’s the brilliant minds of our lawyers. For others, it’s the collegial and down-to-earth atmosphere in our hallways, and the extraordinary level of client service we provide. But for me, what truly makes me proud to be O’Melveny’s chair is the quality of our people, from our lawyers to our staff to our extended community of alumni. I have the privilege of seeing, firsthand, that our people simply care more and do more to make the world a better place. When I hear that O’Melveny has been recognized as a law firm leader for social responsibility, I know that it’s the actions of our people—often working alongside our clients and our nonprofit partners—that bring our values to life—every day. It’s our people who drive our hands-on volunteer projects, our best-in-class pro bono work, our racial justice committee, our veterans initiative, our green initiative, our disaster relief, our local community involvement committees, our global scholarship programs—the list goes on. As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, there’s no place I’d rather be than here, at O’Melveny.
2 CSR + ESG = Sustainability at O’Melveny In its more than century-old history, O’Melveny’s holistic approach to sustainability has always been top of mind, consistent with our values. We are one of the very few global firms to fully integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into both our culture and client service, with special attention to developing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. And we proudly collaborate with our clients, alumni, friends of the firm, nonprofit partners, and our award-winning pro bono and diversity and inclusion teams every step of the journey. O’Melveny is unwavering in its commitment to make the best choices for our people, our society, and our planet. As articulated by our late chair, former US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, O’Melveny’s core values of excellence, leadership, and citizenship inform everything we do. Sustainability at the firm is no exception; through our CSR programs guided by the ESG standards, our pillars include providing access to education, health care, and justice; supporting environmental sustainability; and promoting diversity and inclusion. We work together, in the broadest sense, to advance a deeper shared social mission, one that delivers purpose to our everyday lives. We believe that, through partnership, the possibilities for a sustainable future are truly limitless. We have aligned our CSR/ESG pillars to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, specifically those focused on health and well-being, education, gender equality, sustainability, justice, and partnerships.
3 ESG Task Force For maximum impact, O’Melveny has identified a key team of CSR and ESG advisors with expertise in the following practice areas: Community Investment M. Elizabeth Dubeck Denise Raytis Eric A. S. Richards Environmental ESG Task Force Chair Eric Rothenberg Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Stewardship Kelly McTigue Geoff Yost ESG Product Innovation & Energy Conservation Technology Paul Sieben Tony Wang Food and Product Safety & Sustainability-Related Litigation Hannah Chanoine Dawn Sestito Carbon Capture John D. Renneisen Dawn Sestito Impact Funds, SEC & DOL Compliance Alicja Biskupska-Haas Brian Boyle Infrastructure & Ports M. Elizabeth Dubeck Kelly McTigue Denise Raytis Eric A. S. Richards John Rousakis Labor Stewardship Aparna Joshi Adam Karr National Security John Dermody Greta Lichtenbaum Ethical Commitments, Privacy, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics & Artificial Intelligence John Dermody Scott Pink Public Company ESG & SEC Disclosure Requirements Shelly Heyduk Real Estate & Redevelopment Michael Hamilton Renewable Energy Stewardship Junaid Chida Jeff Hoffner Phillip Oldham Greg Thorpe Water Stewardship Matt Kline John Laco Russ McGlothlin Buzz Thompson Heather Welles White Collar, Board Governance & Anti-Corruption David Kirman Greta Lichtenbaum
4 Veterans Initiative - O’Melveny Salute Watch at vimeo.com/omelveny/ veterans-send-backpacks “As the co-chair of O’Melveny Salute and a veteran myself, I have the privilege of leading an advisory group of more than 50 attorneys and staff, many of whom are veterans, to guide the firm’s veteran-focused efforts. Our approach includes on-campus recruiting and joining career fairs for the specific purpose of recruiting more veteran lawyers and staff to the firm, providing pro bono legal assistance to veterans and military families, and volunteering our time and resources to support veteran-specific non-profits. Considering the sacrifices our service members and their families have made for our freedom, O’Melveny Salute is our small way of expressing our appreciation.” -Lee Blalack, Partner, Co-Chair of O’Melveny Salute Veterans Initiative Summit O’Melveny joined Apollo, KKR, FedEx, Blackstone, and The Carlyle Group to fill 1,000 backpacks for children in war-torn countries. Hiring Our Heroes Veteran Job Fair O’Melveny joined General (Ret.) David H. Petraeus in recruiting veterans in Washington, DC. Pro Bono Veterans Clinic O’Melveny joined Wells Fargo, Activision Blizzard, U.S. VETS, and LACBA to serve veterans at an expungement clinic.
5 Access to Education More than a century ago, O’Melveny’s founders emphasized that serving and improving our community would be a central tenet of the firm. The firm’s commitment to improving access to education in its local communities advances that commitment every day. O’Melveny’s efforts have included launching a global scholarship program, donating backpacks stuffed with school supplies for children in need, launching local book drives for underprivileged children, and driving the financial support to build a school in rural China. In 1990, O’Melveny launched its first scholarship program in Los Angeles, awarding scholarships to deserving 6th and 12th graders from disadvantaged backgrounds who showed academic promise. Since then, O’Melveny’s scholarship commitment has grown into a global program, rewarding the scholastic achievements of deserving young people in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Beijing, and Shanghai. In addition to financial support, O’Melveny’s scholarship recipients receive hands-on support, including mentorship, interview training, and networking assistance. During the past 25 years, the firm has contributed more than US$9.5 million toward scholarships for hundreds of students who excel academically but need a helping hand to realize their dreams. O’Melveny, the Yunnan Youth Development Foundation, and the Shanghai Charity Foundation raised funds to build a primary school for underprivileged children in China. New York Scholarship Program, 2019 Scholars. O’Melveny’s offices regularly donate backpacks filled with school supplies to nonprofits hosting back-to-school drives. Watch at vimeo.com/omelveny/ global-scholarship-program “Our scholars are truly part of the O’Melveny family, and we strive to support them every step of the way.” -Matt Kline, Partner, Chair of the Warren Christopher Scholarship Program
6 Racial Justice “As the co-chairs for O’Melveny’s Racial Justice Committee, we recognize that at this moment, our country is facing numerous threats to the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality. These ideals are sacred and should be celebrated and promoted, not threatened. As a law firm committed to fighting discrimination in every form, we stand united with those who have experienced any form of racism. We recognize that there are deep and persistent inequities that undermine the path to equality in our society. As a values-driven law firm with a long history of community involvement and pro bono legal advocacy, we also recognize our unique position as a catalyst for change. By partnering with legal services organizations, nonprofits, alumni, clients, and our peer firms, our hope and commitment for the RJC is to effect lasting change for a brighter future free from racism and inequality.” -Jeffrey Gordon & Daniel Suvor, Co-Chairs, O’Melveny’s Racial Justice Committee As detailed in our Diversity and Pro Bono Reports, O’Melveny’s commitment to inclusion, equality, and justice runs deep. In response to recent acts of police brutality that have galvanized the nation, O’Melveny reinforced these longstanding principles, launching a new effort to (1) promote racial justice; and (2) address—head-on—systemic racism that pulses through the institutions, policies, and practices of our country. The Racial Justice Committee (RJC) drives action on issues of racial justice and equality—internally and externally—working hand-in-hand with Diversity & Inclusion, Pro Bono, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Alumni Relations. The RJC has launched collaborative pro bono engagements and volunteer opportunities with outside organizations, supported the firm’s fellowship and mentoring opportunities, and encouraged the implementation of anti-bias training programs. Below are a few examples of the RJC’s recent work in these critical areas: • Coordinating donations to The Advancement Project, Color of Change, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund • Serving as a founding member of the Law Firm Anti-Racism Alliance, a coalition of over 100 law firms using the private legal community’s resources to promote racial equity • Partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund to challenge potential conflicts of interest (e.g., prosecutors joining a police union and becoming members of the same bargaining unit) • Advocating for the successful repeal to New York’s section 50-a, which had allowed law enforcement agencies to shield police disciplinary records (signed into law on June 12, 2020)
7 Environmental Sustainability Doing right by our communities means taking care of the natural environment and resources we all share. Our Green Office Initiative (GOI), founded more than a decade ago, is a commitment by our people to follow best practices for environmental and energy stewardship in our offices and communities around the globe. This initiative is driven by a firmwide green committee and executed by local green committees in collaboration with the Law Firm Sustainability Network. We were among the first firms to join the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Bar Association’s Climate Challenge, conforming to requirements for paper use, waste management, and energy conservation under the EPA’s Energy Star Program. Additional examples of our GOI efforts are listed below: “O’Melveny’s Green Initiative extends beyond our own offices. We take a holistic approach to sustainable use of natural resources and partner with many of our pro bono and commercial clients in setting and updating CSR and ESG standards throughout their supply chain as well as performing projects that help meet those goals, including improvement of park and conservation lands.” -Eric Rothenberg, ESG Task Force Chair Our Bay Area offices participated in Coastal Clean-up Day at Esplanade Beach. • 10 of our 18 offices worldwide are in LEED-certified buildings. Four additional offices are in buildings that are certified by sustainability standards comparable to LEED (e.g., BREEAM). • Our New York office uses 100% renewable energy • Support for use of mass transit, carpool, and bicycle commuting • Procurement of energy-efficient products and services • Flow-controlled water utilities and installation of water cooler systems
8 Community Investment To us, “investing in the community” means partnership—partnership that reaches beyond our own employees to embrace our global alumni network and our clients. Our broad definition of “community investment” inspired CSR and ESG at O’Melveny and stretches beyond traditional pro bono legal services and diversity and inclusion efforts. By supporting more than 200 nonprofits and non-governmental organizations around the globe each year with not only funding but meaningful volunteer and board service, O’Melveny delivers on its century-old commitment to fully embrace our communities. Access to Education NYC Outward Bound Schools honored O’Melveny partner Pamela Miller for her commitment to their mission. Access to Justice O’Melveny collaborated with Ford Motor Company and Legal Services for Children to help Dreamers renew their DACA applications at no cost. Access to Health Care As a tribute to Los Angeles associate Gloria Borges, who lost her battle with colon cancer, O’Melveny supports her foundation, The WunderGlo Foundation. Corporate Philanthropy Award Top Corporate Philanthropist Civic 50 Top Corporate Philanthropist Awards and Recognitions Watch at www.omm.com/ cbs-daca-renewals
9 Animals deserve access to justice. Led by San Francisco partner Chris Hollinger, O’Melveny attorneys have dedicated thousands of pro bono hours on a wide variety of matters benefitting animals. Their work includes partnering with local SPCAs to fight for the respectful treatment of animals, defending animal advocacy organizations facing litigation, and advocating to achieve judicial recognition of the legal rights of nonhuman animals. Access to Justice for Animals Collaborated with the San Francisco SPCA to launch Shelter PALS, the nation’s first legal aid organization dedicated exclusively to the needs of animal shelters. O’Melveny is defending the Humane Society of the Sierra Foothills in a lawsuit challenging their rescue of more than 50 puppies. O’Melveny is working with the Nonhuman Rights Project to achieve judicial recognition of the legal rights of animals such as elephants and chimpanzees. “Animals can teach us so much if we just treat them with kindness and respect and listen to what they have to say. It has been my lifelong passion and dream to be an advocate on their behalf and it is truly an honor and privilege to be allowed to leverage O’Melveny’s talents and resources, joined by nonprofit organizations aligned with this mission, to represent these most deserving of clients and to help make sure their voices are heard for generations to come.” -Chris Hollinger, Partner
10 Community service has never been an afterthought at O’Melveny. The drive to do better, be better, and make the world better is part of our very fabric. Throughout our offices, Community Involvement Committees identify and organize events, drives, and fundraisers to make a difference in our local neighborhoods and the world at large. These efforts can take the form of a firmwide donation-driven “jeans day” in support of a community hit hard by a natural disaster, preparing meals at a local soup kitchen, participating in a beach clean-up, or a silent auction to support a village in Rwanda. While the activities are ever changing, they always reflect the causes and issues that have touched our colleagues’ hearts. In 2017, the firm launched the “Giving Back” program as a new expression of O’Melveny’s longstanding support for public service and volunteerism. This program allows employees to take one paid day off every year to volunteer with a nonprofit organization devoted to a cause that is important to them. For anyone who knows O’Melveny and its culture of caring, it will come as no surprise that staff have embraced the opportunity to give back. O’Melveny Gives Back MJ Devlin volunteered at Sean Casey Animal Rescue. Volunteers from O’Melveny’s Los Angeles office helped the Downtown Women’s Center by sorting donations and preparing lunch. O’Melveny’s Shanghai office helped raise funds for Heart to Heart Global Cardiac Care to provide surgeries for children with heart defects. Lenny Tjendra volunteered at Leonard G. Westhoff Elementary School’s Culture Night.
11 COVID-19 & Disaster Relief In the last decade, the firm and its employees have given well over half a million dollars in COVID-19 & disaster relief. COVID-19 Australia Wildfires O’Melveny donated to the nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul Society to help recovery efforts following the devastating wildfires. O’Melveny employees worldwide, together with the firm’s matching gift, donated over US$75,000 to MedShare, an organization delivering critical supplies to medical personnel battling COVID-19. Hurricane Dorian Clean Water Crisis O’Melveny and Humana joined the nonprofit Wine to Water to build 250 water filters for disaster relief and for families who do not have access to clean drinking water. O’Melveny joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to raise funds for disaster-relief nonprofit All Hands and Hearts.
12 omm.com/sustainability Our Team Eric Rothenberg ESG Task Force Chair erothenberg@omm.com +1 212 326 2003 Darin Snyder Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partner dsnyder@omm.com +1 415 984 8846 David Lash Managing Counsel for Pro Bono and Public Interest Services dlash@omm.com +1 213 430 8366 Jerri Shick Senior Pro Bono Counsel jshick@omm.com +1 212 326 2868 Brett Williamson Partner-in-Charge of Pro Bono bwilliamson@omm.com +1 949 823 7947 Rochelle Karr Director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Alumni Relations rkarr@omm.com +1 949 823 7177 Carmen Gutierrez Corporate Social Responsibility and Alumni Relations Manager cgutierrez@omm.com +1 213 430 8346 Lee Blalack Co-Chair of O’Melveny Salute lblalack@omm.com +1 202 383 5374 Edward Hickey Co-Chair of O’Melveny Salute ehickey@omm.com +1 202 430 7239 Bendita C. Malakia Director of Diversity and Engagement bmalakia@omm.com +1 202-383-5270 Olivia Blair Manager of Diverse Lateral Recruiting oblair@omm.com +1 202 383 5402 CSR & ESG Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Pro Bono Taylor Simeone Pro Bono Counsel tsimeone@omm.com +1 213 430 6239
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