February.10.2021
Orrick announced today that Ashley Walter has joined the firm to help respond to growing demand from clients for Environmental, Social & Governance (“ESG”) expertise. Ashley, who joins from Fenwick & West where he headed the Corporate Social Responsibility Governance and Compliance practice, will be a partner in Seattle.
Ashley assists companies and their boards in establishing effective board oversight of ESG matters, preparing ESG disclosures, addressing ESG commercial requirements, managing investor engagement with respect to ESG matters, and ensuring compliance with ESG laws and regulations. He leverages a firm grounding in ESG substantive issues, significant experience in the design and implementation of ESG policies and procedures, and sector-specific knowledge to develop practical ESG solutions for clients in the tech sector and beyond.
“We are excited to invest in expanding our CSR capabilities as our clients and their financial sponsors are increasingly focusing on ESG as key metrics – and regulators are heightening their focus as well,” said Matthew Gemello, global head of Orrick’s Corporate business unit. “Ashley is a recognized authority and thought leader in CSR with a deep understanding of how innovative companies in tech and beyond operate – and that is an invaluable combination for our clients.”
“I am truly impressed by Orrick’s vision and commitment with respect to ESG and by the depth of its expertise in the practices that are relevant for clients working to address ESG risks and opportunities in their operations - including human rights, privacy and data security, impact finance, life sciences, energy transition and energy tech, infrastructure modernization, international trade and public policy,” Ashley said. “Orrick is undoubtedly uniquely positioned to assist clients in navigating these critically important issues.”
Ashley is a co-founder and past chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Law Committee of the ABA Business Law Section, has taught the course “Corporate Social Responsibility” as a Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law School, and is a co-editor of The Lawyer’s Corporate Social Responsibility Deskbook, a resource for legal departments and outside counsel to address ESG performance and risk.
Ashley will collaborate closely with Betsy Popken and James Hargrove, co-leaders of our Business & Human Rights practice, and Perry Teicher, head of Impact Finance & Investment.