Can general counsel influence boards to drive sustainability?

JLL and Global Compact Network Canada say yes.

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Feb 14, 2018, 04:05 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL (NYSE: JLL) and the Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) published an e-guide for general counsel on how to influence board of directors to drive sustainability. This guide aims to inspire and encourage general counsel, board of directors, senior executives and management to take action and deliver long-term value. It is available for download on the GCNC website.

"A growing group of stakeholders are calling for sustainability and climate-competent boards, and one of the key allies of the board is the general counsel," said Helle Bank Jorgensen, President of the GCNC. "This guide gives concrete and practical advice on how to influence the board from some of the world's most renowned general counsel and business leaders."

The GCNC is the Canadian chapter of the UN Global Compact and has been active in promoting the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact which include anti-corruption, labor, human rights and environment. This guide is part of a growing number of tools that the GCNC provides to help foster the capacity of the Canadian private sector to embrace sustainable and responsible business practices.

Other tools include the anti-corruption certificate programs, sustainable development goals surveys and many others.

JLL is a patron supporter of the GCNC and Paul Greven, Chief Counsel, JLL Canada, is the Chair of the GCNC's General Counsel Working Group. JLL regularly works with companies to drive their sustainability efforts. The firm possesses an award-winning culture and designs its policies and business practices to reflect the highest standards of corporate governance, transparency and ethics.

"Because of their skill sets, insight into the company's operations and access to senior management, general counsel are uniquely positioned to take a leading role in implementing corporate sustainability initiatives, as well as persuade others in positions of power to do the same," said Greven.

The contributors of this guide encourage all to download this resource, especially in-house counsel, to consult it for helpful ideas and practical suggestions for bringing change in their organizations to create long-term value.

The GCNC and JLL would like to thank the following contributors for the successful publication of this guide.

JLL Contributors – Mark Ohringer, Global General Counsel, JLL (Chicago); Brett Miller, CEO, JLL Canada (Toronto); Kathryn Ditmars, General Counsel, JLL Americas (Chicago); Leonardo Occhiuzzi, Graphic Designer – National Visual Engagement, JLL Canada (Toronto); Leila Borbor, Global Communications & Digital Manager, JLL (Chicago); Katie Duncan, Director Human Resources, JLL Canada (Toronto); Damien Mills, EVP and MD – Canadian Brokerage, JLL Canada (Calgary); Mason Lam, Associate/Broker, JLL Canada (Calgary); Mackenzie Phillips, EVP and Chief Corporate Counsel, JLL (Chicago); Tanya Earley, Marketing Director, JLL Americas (Chicago).

Advisory Group – Nicholas Hayduk, SVP and Chief Legal Officer, Lundin Mining Corporation (Toronto); Daniel Holden, VP, General Counsel & Secretary, Nestlé Canada Inc. (Toronto); Jonathan Drimmer, VP and Assistant General Counsel, Barrick Gold Corp. (Washington, D.C.); Kevin Coon, Managing Partner – Canada, Baker & McKenkie (Toronto); H. Graham Rawlinson, Partner Torys LLP (Toronto); Hartland Paterson EVP and General Counsel SNC-Lavalin (Montreal); Mark Osterman, VP-Corporate & Environmental Compliance SNC-Lavalin (Montreal).

Special Thanks – Joe Younder, former Head of English Department, St. Michael's College School (Toronto); Felicia Robinson, former Director of Marketing, JLL Canada (Toronto); Carla Sherman, JD Candidate, Lakehead University (Thunder Bay); Christopher Khoury, 3rd Year Political Science Student, University of Toronto (Toronto); Nina Gray, President, Gray Legal Search (London); Don Inouye, Executive Director, The Veritas Foundation (Toronto); Helle Bank Jorgensen, President, Global Compact Network Canada (Toronto); Jules Zhao, Program and Marketing Manager, Global Compact Network Canada (Toronto); Chris Turner, Director, The Extra Check Limited (Auckland); Suzanne Duncan, Senior Manager, Environmental, Social & Governance, Corporate & Compliance Group, BMO Financial Group (Toronto).

About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. A Fortune 500 company, JLL helps real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. In 2017, JLL had revenue of $7.9 billion and fee revenue of $6.7 billion; managed 4.6 billion square feet, or 423 million square meters; and completed investment sales, acquisitions and finance transactions of approximately $170 billion. At the end of 2017, JLL had nearly 300 corporate offices, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of 82,000. As of December 31, 2017, LaSalle had $58.1 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit www.jll.com.

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