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The CCRcorp Network unlocks access to a world of insights, research, guides and information in a range of specialty areas.

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TheCorporateCounsel

TheCorporateCounsel.net

A basis for research and practical guidance focusing on federal securities laws, compliance & corporate governance.

DealLawyers

DealLawyers.com

An educational service that provides practical guidance on legal issues involving public and private mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity – and much more.

CompensationStandards

CompensationStandards.com

The “one stop” resource for information about responsible executive compensation practices & disclosure.

Section16.net

Section16.net

Widely recognized as the premier online research platform providing practical guidance on issues involving Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and all of its related rules.

PracticalESG

PracticalESG.com

Keeping you in-the-know on environmental, social and governance developments

The leak of Justice Alito’s draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade has generated a significant media frenzy as well as raised the issue in the ESG era. Without downplaying anything related to pro-life versus pro-choice, it is a bigger issue than Roe v. Wade as my boss Liz Dunshee brought forward. Without a consistent federal foundation on the topic, the draft ruling risks setting up a system where civil rights differ based on what state you’re in, as also pointed out in this Politico piece:

The immediate impact of the ruling as drafted in February would be to end a half-century guarantee of federal constitutional protection of abortion rights and allow each state to decide whether to restrict or ban abortion.

It seems like the impact could also be similar to Ukraine: are companies going to base location and operation decisions on state laws on this topic? How does that affect assets and revenue opportunities? Companies may choose to exclude doing business with other companies that have pro-life or pro-choice programs or are located in pro-life or pro-choice states – depending on which way that customer company leans.

So how might companies navigate this complex, emotional and evolving situation? We’ll certainly be monitoring this matter.

Civil rights audits will likely be in higher demand from ESG focused investors, and have new dimensions to consider. More companies should consider being prepared to face these demands. Our recent webcast Understanding & Using Equity and Civil Rights Audits can help companies begin planning for such audits. The webcast covers:

  • Understanding different types of audits: civil rights, racial equity, pay equity
  • Why investors are pushing companies to conduct & disclose audits
  • Pros & cons of pursuing an audit
  • In-house versus outside consultant involvement

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The Editor

Lawrence Heim has been practicing in the field of ESG management for almost 40 years. He began his career as a legal assistant in the Environmental Practice of Vinson & Elkins working for a partner who is nationally recognized and an adjunct professor of environmental law at the University of Texas Law School. He moved into technical environmental consulting with ENSR Consulting & Engineering at the height of environmental regulatory development, working across a range of disciplines. He was one… View Profile