Editor’s foreword

Law firms have traditionally had a culture of contributing to society through pro bono, community investment and philanthropy. In addition to supporting their local communities, they are now devoting greater attention than ever before to environmental and workplace issues. It is only recently, however, that corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a differentiating factor in the highly competitive legal services marketplace as existing and potential clients, and stakeholders place greater emphasis on the way law firms conduct their business and fulfil their social responsibilities. This among other factors has led many firms to follow the example of their corporate counterparts and adopt a strategic approach to managing and promoting CSR by drawing together their various activities, initiatives and campaigns into organized firm-wide programs.

Developing and implementing a coordinated firm-wide CSR strategy is a substantial undertaking. An initial challenge is that there is no clear definition of CSR. In fact, there is not even consensus about the terminology. Should a firm’s contribution to the greater good be termed ‘corporate responsibility’ or ‘corporate social responsibility’? In a sense, all corporate responsibility that reaches beyond the firm and the profession to benefit wider society necessarily has a social dimension. Lawyers, who are naturally interested in semantics, choose different phrases in an attempt to define their approach more precisely.

In this issue of Managing Partner, we look at various issues related to both pro bono activities and CSR, examining the key challenges and opportunities that law firms face in devising and managing a CSR agenda, as well as looking at how pro bono initiatives fit into, or alongside CSR programs. For instance, at international firm Clifford Chance, the CSR agenda incorporates pro bono, community and environmental work. However, at Dechert LLP, the CSR agenda and pro bono are kept separate.

I do hope that you enjoy this issue, but please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any comments or queries.

Caroline Poynton
Editor

Features

Training together This article is for subscribers only
Clients are becoming increasingly selective about their law firms, with a number recently demanding evidence of action on diversity. Weil Gotshal and Manges now delivers structured diversity training, across its US office network, as well as in London. By Amanda Little.

Case study: Moral matters This article is for subscribers only
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and pro bono programs make business, as well as moral, sense. But for global firms the firm-wide vision must be balanced with local needs. Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP recently created the role of UK pro bono and community manager to the handle the issue and harmonize operations in the wake of an international merger. By Chris Marshall.

Knowledge categorization: Lessons from Aristotle This article is for subscribers only
If lawyers were to apply Greek philosopher Aristotle’s principles of knowledge categorization, along with their own ‘contemplation’ skills and an effective behaviour-tracking system, it would make for a very powerful knowledge initiative indeed, according to Ali Shahidi.

Q&A: A global strategy for corporate social responsibility This article is for subscribers only
International firm Clifford Chance’s corporate responsibility brochure is displayed prominently at the reception of its London office. This sends visitors a clear message about the importance the firm attaches to its global corporate social responsibility program, which focuses on pro bono, community and environmental work. Pro bono partner Michael Smyth talks to freelance journalist Joanna Goodman about the firm’s approach to CSR.

Feature: Delivering on data management This article is for subscribers only
Reliability of access to data will be a core consideration in most law firms’ risk-management strategies. International firm Allen & Overy decided to outsource its production centre outside of London – but not without considering the costs and alternatives. By Andrew Brammer, head of global IT operations, Allen & Overy LLP

For the good of all This article is for subscribers only
Law firms have long engaged in pro bono activities but with corporate social responsibility programs now top of the agenda for many firms, pro bono work is once again under the spotlight. At US and international firm Dechert, the pro bono agenda incorporates various strategies, implemented on a global scale. By Joanna Goodman.