LSA Climate Heroes – Highly Commended
Meet one of the LSA Climate Heroes of 2026 -2027. A group of inspiring individuals whose leadership, innovation and determination are driving meaningful climate and sustainability action across the legal sector. We are excited to be highlighting their work.
Diane Gilhooley
Global Head of Employment, Labor and Pensions, and Global Co-Head of Sustainability and ESG
Eversheds Sutherland
Diane Gilhooley has established herself as a leading voice in helping organisations navigate an increasingly complex and fragmented sustainability landscape. As Global Co-Head of Eversheds Sutherland’s Sustainability & ESG group, she leads a global team of 350 lawyers advising clients on sustainability risks and opportunities, helping them integrate sustainability into strategy, governance and decision-making.
Recognising the significant challenge businesses face in keeping pace with rapidly evolving sustainability regulation across jurisdictions, Diane conceived and spearheaded SustainREG, the firm’s award-winning sustainability platform. She led the initiative from concept to delivery, creating an innovative solution that enables organisations to monitor global developments, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and make informed decisions.
Launched in 2024, SustainREG is underpinned by a database maintained by lawyers and a dedicated ESG research team, covering more than 800 ESG laws and regulations worldwide. In 2025 alone, it generated 47 bespoke reports, delivered 1,678 pages of regulatory analysis, onboarded 16 new clients and achieved a 235% increase in adoption. Its impact spans sectors including financial services, energy, consumer and retail, and life sciences.
Diane has played a pivotal role in broadening organisations’ understanding of sustainability beyond regulatory compliance. Drawing on more than 30 years’ experience in employment and workforce matters, she has championed the integration of human rights, labour standards, health and safety, organisational culture and workforce strategy into the sustainability agenda. Her leadership has strengthened Eversheds Sutherland’s ability to provide coordinated, multidisciplinary advice and has helped clients navigate sustainability as a strategic, rather than simply regulatory, priority.
“Diane has achieved significant traction with the SustainREG platform that she and her team have designed. We were impressed to hear that it is helping her clients to move beyond regulatory compliance to consider sustainability and particularly human rights issues as a strategic priority.”
Becky Clissmann, Global Sustainability Expertise Counsel, Ashurst Perkins Coie, LSA Co-chair
Paddy Linighan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Clyde & Co LLP, LSA Co-chair