"Global law firms unite to launch the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association", 28 Nov 2022

Twenty-two leading global law firms announced today the launch of the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association (BHRLA).

The BHRLA is established to inspire and advance business and human rights leadership, learning, collaboration and practice among commercial law firms and business lawyers around the world.

The BHRLA will be dedicated to the principle that business has a responsibility to respect human rights as set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). It will promote and support action by lawyers around the world to advise commercial clients on human rights risks and opportunities associated with business activities.

The responsibility to respect human rights entails more than merely refraining from committing or being complicit in human rights abuse. It means that business enterprises should proactively seek to prevent, mitigate and address human rights impacts with which they may be involved through their own operations and activities, and their business relationships...

Commenting on the launch, BHRLA co-chair Rae Lindsay, partner at Clifford Chance said:

“The formation of this Association is both timely and overdue. There is a need to accelerate the dissemination of good practice in the field of business and human rights across the commercial legal profession globally. We encourage lawyers around the world to join and support the Association’s ambitions"...