Sustainability initiative

How it works

DLA Piper continues to grow. Our merger in January 2005 created the first global legal services organization with more than 1,500 lawyers on each side of the Atlantic – a coherent entity with a shared vision and goals.

The vision we announced in May 2006 – to be the leading global business law firm – is underpinned by our ambition: to look after the needs of all clients globally and locally. Determined not to focus on size alone, we have worked to improve the quality and consistency of our cross-border services and the integration of systems and processes. Providing the right framework of management for a full-service, multinational organization is one of the biggest challenges we face.

Being a responsible business is an important part of our vision. It is also a major oppourtunity for us and an essential part of sound management. We now have Global Guiding Principles within CSR and pro bono. While one size doesn’t fit all, there are certain principles that apply. Our goal is to develop best practice in major markets and share it with colleagues in other jurisdictions. Working together globally – whether through New Perimeter or on cross-border projects – helps us embed a shared global culture, which we depend upon to succeed.

In every DLA Piper office or region, there is a partner responsible for CSR or pro bono efforts. Our 55 global CSR and pro bono partners help manage local activities. They play an important role in championing issues within the business at senior level to ensure that CSR becomes integrated into the culture of each office. There is a CSR team based in London, Asia and the Middle East. In the US, there is a full-time pro bono partner, four full-time pro bono counsel. There are now 12 full-time CSR and pro bono professionals in the firm. The CSR and pro bono teams report regularly to their senior management teams.

Major issues raised in the management teams are presented to DLA Piper’s Global Board, which meets every three months, under chairmanship of Frank Burch who is a strong advocate for CSR.

Our Joint Chief Executives also play an important leadership role in promoting environmental sustainability and promoting the importance of pro bono work. For example, Sir Nigel Knowles chairs the Legal Sector Alliance and sits on the Board of Business in the Community’s Environmental Leadership Team. Each CEO has CSR objectives integrated into their remit. It’s leadership from the top that ensures our CSR success.