New co-chairs named for Dentons' global ESG practice leadership group

Dentons has named Michael Duvall and Noor Kapdi co-chairs of its global ESG practice leadership team.

Duvall is based in the US, working from the firm’s LA and New York offices. He has extensive experience in consumer class actions, complex litigation, and related regulatory actions.

Kapdi is the CEO of Dentons' Africa region. He practises with the global banking and finance, global corporate and global energy and infrastructure and project finance practice.

Global CEO Elliott Portnoy highlighted the relevant experience Duvall and Kapdi brought to the table.

"Michael has extensive experience leading multiple high-profile litigation cases centring on ESG. Noor brings a wealth of highly nuanced experience and perspectives on some of the most critically relevant human rights and environmental issues impacting the current global ESG landscape”, Portnoy said. “The combined value of these appointments means nuanced expertise for our clients, whose ESG-related issues vary significantly based on their jurisdiction. I have worked closely with both of these outstanding leaders for many years, and I am confident that their shared leadership will enhance our offering to clients".

Doug Stipanicev, Dentons Australia chair and Australasia region CEO, emphasised the importance of ESG in Australia and how the new co-chairs would benefit the firm’s offering in this area.

"ESG is a significant challenge and opportunity for Australian companies across all industries. Investors and consumers are demanding increased transparency from businesses around their environmental and social impact. The Australian Federal Government has already proposed policies around mandatory sustainability reporting, with the first phase for large companies due to come into effect from 1 July 2024”, he said. “The appointment of Michael Duvall and Noor Kapdi is great news for our clients in Australia, who will benefit from the local knowledge and insights of our partners combined with global experience and expertise".

Kapdi pointed to the rising value of ESG to organisations.

“We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. Multinationals are grappling with a rapidly shifting geopolitical, regulatory and legal landscape, and it is incumbent on us to support our clients in navigating that environment and defining what ESG means for their organisations”, he said. “We have the ability to work closely with our clients wherever they operate in the world to provide bold and transformative ESG legal strategies that deliver meaningful impact and progress on their sustainability targets”.

Duvall also highlighted the increase in climate litigation.

"We expect climate-related litigation to continue at a steady pace, extending beyond consumer-facing sectors to banking, insurance and the wider investor community. Organisations that are not working toward decarbonisation and those that make unsubstantiated sustainability claims will face greater risk", he explained.

Duvall and Kapdi will spearhead a team of cross-practice experts, former GC, and ESG authorities.