The rise of ESG: how important is it for law firms and their client relationships?

Caroline Berube is the Managing Partner of HJM Asia Law (with offices in China and Singapore). She is admitted to the New York Bar, the Singapore Bar, holds a BCL (civil law) and an LL.B. (common law) from McGill University in Montreal and studied Chinese law at the National University of Singapore. Caroline has been working in Asia for more than 22 years with SMEs, MNCs and foreign banks, advising them in the field of commercial law, intellectual property, human resources and M&A in the Asia Pacific region. With an extensive presence on the ground in Asia, Caroline is well versed in the opportunities and risks associated with most Asian jurisdictions.

Practice Areas Banking & Finance Capital Markets Investment Funds Project Finance Private Equity & Venture Capital ESG, Sustainable and Impact Investing Fintechs, Payments & Blockchain Financial Innovation Professional Experience With experience in Capital Markets and Banking & Finance since 1996, Alexei has expertise in public offerings, international issues, structured finance, project finance, securitization, syndicated loans, agribusiness finance, derivatives, impact investing, green finance, social finance, sustainable finance, crowdfunding, endowments, asset management, investment funds, private equity, venture capital, corporate venture, financial innovation, fintechs, payment institutions, payment schemes, instant payments, open banking, blockchain, regulation of financial institutions, securities regulation, financial compliance, financial investigation, financial enforcement and financial leniency agreements.

Ms. Linda Yang is the founding partner of Yingke International, responsible for construction of international network of the firm and international legal service. She initiated Yingke Global Legal Service Network which currently covers for 95 countries. She is specialized in corporate and commercial law. She has been working together with partner firms of the Network to provide legal service for many influential transactions. Part of the representative clients are CRRC, CSCEC, XCMG, Zoomlion, Bank of China, Rockefeller Group, ADAMA, Mellanox, Air France, HSBC, etc. Ms. Linda Yang received her Bachelor’s degree from Ocean University of China and her Master degree from China University of Political Science and Law. She is a member of the Steering Committee of the Global Coalition of Think Tank Network for South South Cooperation. She is also a member of Investment and Trade task force of 2020 Saudi B20 Summit, Finance and Infrastructure of 2021 Italy B20, as well as Energy, Sustainability, and Climate of 2022 Indonesia B20. She is also the chairwoman of the ESG Working Committee of the Going Global Confederation of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry, and a Member of the Expert Committee and an expert member of the ESG Task Force of China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machine and Electronic Products. She is ranked as National Top Lawyers in 2021. Ms. Linda Yang was invited to serve as mentor for master's students of Tsinghua University School of Law, China Foreign Affairs University, the School of International Law of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, and the School of Foreign Studies of China University of Political Science and Law.