Business and Human Rights

We help clients navigate a complex landscape of international labor standards and the legal, commercial, and practical challenges associated with human rights due diligence and other domestic and international guidelines and policies.

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Our attorneys skillfully guide executives and other stakeholders through emerging theories of liability and expanding mandates, including to supply chain management, human rights policies and due diligence programs, to achieve compliance and avoid reputational harm.

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Practical Global Strategy

Our team collaborates with clients to achieve strategic and business goals by leveraging significant legal experience in international labor standards, supply chain management, and emerging human rights regulations. We provide practical, solutions-oriented advice, focusing on real-world implementation rather than theoretical summaries. Our attorneys work closely with in-house teams, synthesizing complex regulatory environments into clear, actionable strategies that align with business realities and stakeholder perspectives.

Human Rights Compliance Leadership

Respect for human rights has become a commercial standard of conduct with varied and often-complex guidelines emerging from myriad organizations ranging from the United Nations to business associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). We help clients assess the local, national, and international human rights impacts of their operations and develop strategies and policies to stay ahead of the evolving regulatory and legislative landscape.

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Drafting human rights policies, statements, and disclosures for multinational companies across multiple sectors, including those related to modern slavery and conflict minerals
Designing and enhancing supply chain due diligence programs in compliance with global human rights laws (US, EU, Germany, Canada)
Representing clients before the UN, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and OECD National Contact Points on human rights issues
Advising on the impact of human rights-related provisions of trade agreements, including labor inspections under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
Developing compliance strategies for trade-related human rights laws, such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
Advising multinational companies in regulatory and ombudsmen-related inquiries around the world
Addressing immigration issues linked to human trafficking, child labor, forced labor and other human rights violations
Representing global employers in partnership with IOE and USCIB in negotiations of legally binding instruments, as well as in UN and ILO standard-setting processes

“Our strength lies in deep collaboration and global engagement. Through strong ties with IOE and USCIB—and active engagement at the ILO’s International Labor Conference—we deliver client specific solutions of the highest quality.”

Michael G. Congiu
Shareholder & Co-Chair, Business and Human Rights Practice Group

Michael G. Congiu

Shareholder & Co-Chair, Business and Human Rights Practice Group

Stakeholder and Governance Alignment

Engage internal and external stakeholders to align objectives, strengthen governance and proactively address challenges
Supply Chain Oversight

Review supplier practices, contracts and lower-tier visibility strategies to ensure compliance and mitigate risk
Regulatory and Policy Integration

Assess processes for compliance with human rights due diligence, customs requirements and harmonize global policies
Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Optimize risk assessment frameworks and prioritize high-risk geographies and sectors for immediate action
Audit and Contract Protocols

Enhance audit relationships and embed program principles, audit rights and termination clauses into contracts
Grievance Mechanisms and Third-Party Engagement

Design scalable, transparent grievance systems and integrate NGOs or community stakeholders for legitimacy
Technology and Data Solutions

Leverage technology to improve complaint handling, data analytics and capacity building across operations
Reporting and Transparency

Develop reporting frameworks that balance disclosure with legal risk and address investor and ratings agency concerns
Strategic Partnerships and Workforce Initiatives

Support engagement with global bodies, address labor relations, living wage and just transition challenges