Corporate Social Responsibility for Law Firms Report

Feature

posted 26 Jul 2007 in Volume 2 Issue 1

Developing and implementing a coordinated firm-wide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy is a substantial undertaking.

Corporate Social Responsibility for Law Firms is an in-depth exploration of recent developments, best practices and the tools and tactics that are helping forward-thinking firms devise and manage successful strategies that maximize the effectiveness of their CSR activities and guide their future direction.

In particular, it explores the key challenges and opportunities that law firms face in devising and managing a CSR agenda that:
- Reflects the nature and direction of the business and supports its strategic priorities;
- Responds to changes in the business environment and the community;
- Meets the shifting expectations of clients and stakeholders;
- Harnesses the interests, attitudes and altruistic aspirations of their people.

A strategic approach to designing, planning and implementing a successful programme

The report begins by examining the key internal and external business drivers for investing time, energy and resources in building a holistic CSR framework in terms of:
- The partnership;
- The marketplace;
- The workplace;
- The community.

Corporate Social Responsibility for Law Firms outlines the core activities that are commonly covered by the CSR umbrella:
- Pro bono
- Community and education
- Charities and sponsorship
- Environmental management
- Diversity and workplace culture
- Learning and development
- Policies and codes of behaviour

The report also looks at management issues around planning and implementing an overall strategy. These include choosing themes and activities that reflect the firm’s profile and priorities and the interests of its people; allocating roles and responsibilities; developing a strategy; consulting externally, developing partnerships and implementing and managing projects.

Other subjects covered include:
- Embedding CSR into ‘business as usual’ as well as informing and engaging external stakeholders through CSR reporting;
- Employee engagement: Internal and external communication and highlighting effective tools and tactics for maximizing participation and involvement;
- What should law firms be measuring in terms of CSR and how should they go about it?
- How should you evaluate the impact of your CSR programme in a way that covers all its disparate elements?
- What are the key performance indicators?
- How do you choose between the numerous benchmarking and auditing organizations?
- What are the key benefits of CSR reporting, which has become much more prevalent among law firms in the past couple of years.

Informative new case studies
This research is combined with a selection of best-practice examples of CSR strategy in action with practical and informative new case studies written exclusively for this report. Firms such as Allen & Overy, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Bond Pearce, Clifford Chance, Dechert, Eversheds, Herbert Smith, Linklaters and Reed Smith Richards Butler.

Corporate Social Responsibility for Law Firms is available now, to order your copy simply contact Michelle Elam on +1 773 248 9165 or by email melam@ark-group.com