LSA Working Groups

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LSA Working Groups

An integral part of the LSA is working together; to learn, to share and to develop.  The LSA working groups are central to that interaction.  There are six groups covering:

  • Business Travel
  • TCFD/TNFD
  • Sustainable Procurement
  • Biodiversity and Nature
  • Carbon Counting
  • CSRD

The groups aim to meet every 6 – 8 weeks, for 1 to 1.5 hours, either online via Teams or in person.  At least one meeting in four will be in person.  They are chaired by a mix of industry experts and volunteers from within an LSA firm.  Members of the groups are expected to participate fully in the discussions, to ask questions and share information and ideas. The  groups operate under Chatham House Rules, creating a space for open dialogue and the sharing of both positive and challenging experiences.

If you are interested in joining one of the groups or finding out more, please see the Terms of Reference here and email Camilla on [email protected].

Terms of the working group

Purpose of group:  A confidential, peer to peer learning forum, operating primarily for the benefit of working group participants to help: 

  • the sharing of best practice 
  • the identification of common challenges 
  • support problem-solving 
  • create resources and recommendations for LSA members 

Membership: 

  • Membership of the working group is exclusively for LSA members (whether exec members or not), and is included as a benefit of membership 
  • Members should attend as many meetings as possible, including in person meetings where possible 
  • Consideration should be given to sending another representative from the firm if attendance in person is not possible 
  • Inform [email protected] if you cannot attend a meeting 
  • Members are asked to contribute fully to the discussions and fulfil any actions in a timely manner 

Terms of Reference for Group Leaders (Volunteers):

  • To chair meetings every 6 – 8 weeks 
  • To be available to chair in person meetings (1 in 4) 
  • To liaise with the secretariat to agree an agenda, and subsequent action points 
  • To bring expertise and experience to the group 

Terms of Reference for Group Leaders (Consultant):

  • To chair meetings every 6 – 8 weeks 
  • To be available to chair in person meetings (1 in 4) 
  • To take talking and action point notes which are agreed by the group before the end of the meeting  
  • To liaise with the secretariat to distribute agenda and subsequent action points as required 
  • To bring expertise and experience to the group

Modus operandi:

  • The Chatham House rule applies 
  • The working group aims to meet every 6 to 8 weeks, although may choose to meet more frequently initially 
  • The LSA secretariat can support with scheduling of meetings 
  • The working groups may choose to bring in guest speakers / key experts as required 
  • Substantial points of learning can be shared back with the wider LSA (but only as and when appropriate) 
  • The group does not seek to develop a large workstream, but if there is demand (e.g. for an LSA branded toolkit) or any other resource, budget approval will be sought from the LSA 

Business Travel

This working group was set up in late 2023 to tackle the issue of business travel emissions in law firms.  It is currently working on crafting a playbook for the wider LSA membership, which will include tips on crafting a good Travel Policy for firms.  It is chaired by Alan Sweeting, Senior Manager, Environmental Sustainability at White & Case LLP.

TCFD/TNFD

This LSA working group was established in January 2024 to explore how firms can best approach the new regulatory frameworks of TCFD (the Taskforce on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures) and then TNFD (the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures).  It is chaired by Stephen Farrant, an experienced sustainability professional with extensive experience across the private sector, civil society and the public sector.

Sustainable Procurement

The sustainable procurement group will work together with the aim of understanding how law firms can align purchasing decisions with reduced environmental impact. The group has a natural connection with the discussions already taking place within the counting carbon group and will be useful for LSA members who are putting into place a NetZero or carbon reduction plan.

Biodiversity and Nature

This group is chaired Jenni Ramos, the Director of Scope 4 Nature, exploring tools to help advisory firms turn nature-related risks into client opportunities. The group will look at how biodiversity and nature-related risks can impact upon law firms.   

Carbon Counting

The group will share experiences with collecting the data necessary to enable any LSA member to be able to calculate the carbon footprint of their operations.  The aim will be to identify challenges with obtaining data and how to overcome these.  It will look at each Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions source and aim to identify the primary data needed to calculate the associated carbon emissions.  An anticipated outcome from the group will be some form of guidance for LSA members to assist in carbon counting and reporting.

CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive)

The group is hosted by London-based strategic communications consultancy Radley Yeldar (RY). Our chairs, Louise Ayling and Rebecca Ward, both have extensive experience working with clients to deliver CSRD-aligned double materiality assessments and reporting.

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