Simpson Thacher is committed to the highest standards of social, ethical and environmental responsibility and conduct.
Engaging with the broader communities in which we practice law is of the utmost importance to us. Our diverse team of lawyers and other employees at all levels of the Firm make ongoing significant contributions to legal service programs, government bodies and nonprofits.
Many Firm lawyers serve on boards of nonprofits and act as advisors to public interest organizations. Employees also regularly engage in community service projects, particularly through the Firm’s Urban Education Initiative, which aims to deliver enrichment and college and work-readiness programs for public school students in New York and Los Angeles. These programs range from mock trials to résumé-writing and interviewing workshops. Since the Initiative’s launch, more than 500 Simpson Thacher employees—from junior staff to senior partners—have hosted visits by groups of public high school and middle school students.
These efforts complement the many thousands of hours we devote to pro bono legal matters such as representing environmental organizations seeking to protect endangered species and wilderness areas, counseling micro-entrepreneurs in the U.S. and abroad, representing victims of violence and human trafficking, writing amicus briefs on civil rights issues to the U.S. Supreme and Circuit Courts, and advocating for individuals facing discrimination, eviction or loss of liberty.
The Firm has also engaged in joint efforts with our clients to provide pro bono services to communities in need. Selected examples include a clinic for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status renewals, a partnership to provide commercial lease reviews for small businesses from the five New York City boroughs, and consultation on rent issues for New York City Housing Authority tenants in West Harlem.
Sustainability and Green Initiatives
Promoting sustainability and environmental protection initiatives is a priority for Simpson Thacher. The Firm works with vendors and suppliers who provide environmentally friendly products and services. As a responsible member of the global community, we have implemented environmentally sound Firm policies across our offices. Our New York headquarters is LEED-certified, and nearly all of our offices worldwide are either LEED-certified or hold other notable sustainability certifications. Across all offices, we have modified printers to enable double-sided printing and use only recycled paper. In our New York office, we have also deployed an energy-saving HVAC system, eliminated the use of Styrofoam cups and containers, added compostable utensils and ecofriendly containers, adopted electronic pay stubs, established recycling procedures for electronics, toners and batteries, and implemented various additional programs to reduce energy consumption.
Simpson Thacher also teams with various organizations to advocate for environmental protection worldwide. We dedicate a significant amount of pro bono time to important environmental causes, including representing the Natural Resources Defense Council on litigation, corporate and other matters since its founding nearly 50 years ago. The Firm has also partnered with other organizations on environmentally focused pro bono matters, including working with the Eastern Environmental Law Center, the Rainforest Foundation US and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice.
In addition to pro bono matters, the Firm has advised on numerous corporate transactions involving renewable energy, including projects involving wind and solar energy sources, and the formation of renewable energy and impact investment vehicles, such as climate funds with a focus on clean energy. Simpson Thacher has also advised on Green Bond offerings by multinational companies worldwide.