top of page

Third annual Vanguard Forum for General Counsels

In just over a year, ESG has moved from the back burner for General Counsels, to the front burner - and it will be staying there.

 

The annual Vanguard Forum for General Counsels explored the unique challenges ESG presents, and how to respond.

 

Unlike the plethora of other programs on ESG that focus on the "what" and the "how" of ESG, this Vanguard Forum was different. Instead, we looked at the role of General Counsels as leaders and decision-makers on ESG.

 

Topics ranged from ethical dilemmas GCs must address around making ESG commitments into the future, to leading Board dialogues on ESG issues, to balancing priorities around the multiple components of ESG.

 

As always, the Forum generated deep dialogue around real-world GC challenges, in the company of peers from across sectors.

SESSION LEADERS and ADVISORY BOARD

Session leaders are highly experienced General Counsels, Senior Counsels, Board members, and top leadership experts. Advisory Board members helped us plan the Forum agenda and we included topics that were of the most importance to GCs.​

​

  • Mary Ann Hynes; Senior Counsel, Dentons; career General Counsel

  • David Robinson; Executive Vice President & General Counsel, The Hartford

  • Tom Sabatino; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Tenneco

  • Brandon Smith; Executive Vice President & General Counsel, CHS Inc.

  • Noni Ellison; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Tractor Supply

  • Orlan Boston; EY Americas ESG Markets Leader; Senior Partner, Health Sciences & Wellness, EY

  • David Robinson; Executive Vice President & General Counsel, The Hartford

  • Caroline Tsai; EVP, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Western Union

  • Arian June; Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton

  • Maura Monaghan; Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton

AGENDA

SESSIONS, DAY 1

  • Role of the GC in ESG

  • Ethics and ESG: promises made, promises kept?

  • The biggest challenges with ESG

  • Influencing the company ESG agenda and priorities

​

SESSIONS, DAY 2

  • Solve my problem

  • Case study: ESG (included small group breakout sessions)

  • DEI

  • People

​

To view the agenda, please click here.

video

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Case Study: Always Be Ready for a Crisis
The Biggest Challenge of ESG: Where to Start: the E, S or G?
Stories of DEI Successes
Getting Real About ESG, Part 1
How Do General Counsel Keep ESG Promises? Balancing Ethics, Law and Business Strategy
How To Start The ESG Journey: Three Companies Who Are Walking The Talk Of ESG

UNDERWRITTEN BY

Debevoise & Plimpton
bottom of page