HSF launches global practice focused on social enterprises

HSF launches global practice focused on social enterprises

Herbert Smith Freehills has launched a new practice focusing on social finance and sustainable investment.

HSF Impact will help founders, investors, asset managers and social finance intermediaries on legal and commercial issues when starting, growing, or investing in, social enterprises.

It will bring together lawyers from across the firm’s practices and will leverage the pro bono practice to provide free support.

HSF Impact will be led by corporate partner Alex Kay in London.

"Entrepreneurs everywhere are devising innovative commercial solutions to social and environmental challenges,” he said. “A robust legal foundation is fundamental in order to safeguard and strengthen long-term social and financial returns. HSF Impact is our commitment to supporting sustainable investment clients on their journey to do well by doing good."

Allens joins global smart contracts collective
Allens has joined the Accord Project, a global collective of law firms working to establish best practice for smart contracts.

The firm joins the working group of law firms that aims to create a universal implementation plan for smart legal contracts, which Allens’ head of innovation Anna Collyer believes is the right way to proceed.

“Smart contracts have the potential to make contract execution less cumbersome and time consuming giving clients - and their law firms - a more efficient process,” she said. “The opportunity to develop common standards and protocols, which will ultimately help build adoption of smart contracts across the legal profession, is exciting.”

Allens will have lawyers working on each of the work streams – supply chain, financial services, IP, venture and token sales, and dispute resolution - reporting back to clients and the firm on a regular basis.

Global firm announces new structure for innovation
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) is making some structural changes to help drive its innovation team.

Spearheaded by chief innovation officer Katie DeBord, the global BCLP Innovation Team will focus on innovative legal services delivery solutions for the firm. She will be supported by Nick Pryor for the Middle East and Asia, and Christian Zust for the US and Europe.

Keith Hardie will look after global business development and internal engagement.

Meanwhile, the Consultancy Services Division will focus on the combined firm’s enhanced legal operations consultancy group. This will help in-house legal teams improve their business processes and use technology effectively, building on the existing operations of the two legacy firms.

DeBord will co-lead this group alongside Chris Emmerson who takes up the newly-created role of COO, Consultancy Services Division.

The two divisions will work seamlessly together and will share resources to ensure clients are able to access the firm’s expertise effectively.