7330. Corporate Governance and Sustainability

The global practice of corporate law has changed dramatically over recent years. Beyond the traditional doctrinal and theoretical toolbelt provided in foundational business law classes, contemporary corporate practice requires competence in a set of intersecting areas that together have been described as “the most important issue in corporate governance today”: ESG. While the precise definition and scope of ESG is quickly evolving, the concept refers to the environmental, social, and governance considerations that are used in evaluating a corporation’s long-term value, sustainability, and societal impact. This course will introduce students to the core principles and problems associated with ESG and their intersection with corporate law and governance. It will cover the recent wave of ESG-related regulations, statutes, international standards, litigation, and shareholder proposals under federal securities law. Suggested Preparation: LAW7605 Business Organizations.