Blog

Global Business & Human Rights

Our Global Business & Human Rights blog features nuanced discussion regarding the responsibilities of multinational companies, governments and multilateral institutions towards sustainability, with a particular focus on international human rights.

As the Global Energy Transition Advances, Business Centered on Rights Remains Good Business
Blog July 28, 2025
As the Global Energy Transition Advances, Business Centered on Rights Remains Good Business
The U.S. regulatory landscape is quickly evolving and in flux, with the Executive Branch further increasing the use of executive authority to unilaterally and rapidly transform longstanding federal practices and policies…
Trump Administrations Proposed Prosecution of Pipeline Opponents: Weighing Human Rights Obligations and Congressional Support
Blog July 10, 2019
Trump Administrations Proposed Prosecution of Pipeline Opponents: Weighing Human Rights Obligations and Congressional Support
The Trump Administration is using the reauthorization of a pipeline safety statute as an opening to insert new provisions that would give U.S. authorities broader latitude to thwart and criminalize the activities of protestors opposing hydrocarbon pipeline projects.  The provision would apply to both existing pipelines and those that are under construction, with at least the partial intent of targeting large-scale protests that have encircled construction of oil transport infrastructure……
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog July 28, 2017
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Its Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: a decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice addressing a corporations duty of care with regard to the employees of its suppliers; new IBA guidance for lawyers on integrating business and human rights considerations into their advice to clients; and a report evaluating corporate conflict minerals filings for calendar year 2016…
D.C. District Court Determines that Dakota Access Environmental Assessment was Inadequate
Blog June 19, 2017
D.C. District Court Determines that Dakota Access Environmental Assessment was Inadequate
On June 14, 2017, the District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision in Standing Rock Sioux Tribe v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Court found that the Army Corps of Engineers (“the Corps”) had not adequately considered several issues in its environmental assessment (“EA”) for the Dakota Access Pipeline, and that therefore the Corps' decision-making was arbitrary and capricious. The EA was undertaken pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”)…
Foley Hoag Releases Summary Report on Good Practices for Oil Pipelines, as Commissioned by the Dakota Access Consortium of Lenders
Blog May 10, 2017
Foley Hoag Releases Summary Report on Good Practices for Oil Pipelines, as Commissioned by the Dakota Access Consortium of Lenders
On May 9, we released a public summary of our report Good Practice for Managing the Social Impacts of Oil Pipelines in the United States. A copy of the public summary of the report is available here. The independent report was prepared by Amy Lehr, Cicely Parseghian, and Gare Smith…
Foley Hoag Authors Good Practice Note on Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
Blog March 31, 2014
Foley Hoag Authors Good Practice Note on Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
The U.N. Global Compact recently released a Good Practice Note on Indigenous Peoples' Rights and the Role of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (“FPIC”) authored by Amy Lehr, an associate in Foley Hoags Corporate Social Responsibility practice. The Note complements the U.N. Global Compact's release of a longer Business Reference Guide to the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples…
Agricultural Sector Companies Face Increased Scrutiny on Human Rights-Related Risks
Blog December 23, 2013
Agricultural Sector Companies Face Increased Scrutiny on Human Rights-Related Risks
Agricultural sector companies, and companies with large agricultural supply chains, face new scrutiny from investors and other stakeholders concerning human rights-related risks in their corporate supply chains. Key issues for this sector include the risks of human trafficking and forced labor and the potential for suppliers to be complicit in land grabs which displace vulnerable populations. In early December, a group of faith-based and socially responsible investors announced that they……
Q&A with Gare Smith, Chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Practice
Blog November 20, 2013
Q&A with Gare Smith, Chair of the Corporate Social Responsibility Practice
Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) recently published an interview with Gare Smith, Chair of Foley Hoags CSR practice and a member of Barricks CSR Advisory Board. Gare founded the CSR practice in 2000 after serving as Senior Foreign Policy Advisor and Counsel to U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Democracy…
Land Tenure Risk: Why It Matters for Companies, Investors, and Communities
Blog October 08, 2013
Land Tenure Risk: Why It Matters for Companies, Investors, and Communities
Two important new reports focus on land tenure conflicts between companies and communities. In September, the Rights and Resources Initiative released a report entitled, “Global Capital, Local Concessions: A Data-Driven Examination of Land Tenure Risk and Industrial Concessions in Emerging Market Economies.” The report, drafted by the Munden Project, attempts to quantify the percentage of company land concessions that overlap community (particularly indigenous) claims…
1 of 3

Blog Editors

ABOUT

Foley Hoag’s Global Business and Human Rights practice provides counsel to multinational companies, governments, and multilateral institutions regarding social, political, and environmental challenges.

Our advice to clients encompasses legal and reputational risk management with respect to human rights, including labor rights and the rights of indigenous peoples; the design and implementation of stakeholder engagement programs; and professional auditing services, ranging from due diligence desk-top analyses to on-the-ground human rights impact assessments and the monitoring of social, human rights, and environmental initiatives.

In addition, we provide clients with crisis management and mediation services with respect to disputes with impacted communities and stakeholder groups, ranging from indigenous peoples to non-governmental organizations.

Related Services

Practice
Global Business & Human Rights
Launched over two decades ago, our Global Business & Human Rights practice was one of the first to help clients implement and advance internationally recognized human rights, social and environmental policies that align with legal requirements and emerging best practices while protecting operations from risk.
Practice
Federal Government Strategies
Our experienced attorneys and policy advisors combine extensive government experience with insight into your business to advance your legal, policy and political objectives.
Practice
Labor & Employment
We offer decades of experience helping companies manage their workplace legal issues.
Practice
Product Liability & Complex Tort
We are ready to protect your investment in product development by taking an individualized approach to each case in each industry, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices, industrial products and consumer products, creating strategies to help you reach your cost and result goals.
Practice
International Trade & National Security
International trade regulations directly or indirectly affect a large number of businesses. Our team offers informed, risk-based and practical regulatory advice to help clients avoid compliance missteps and address those that may have already occurred.
Practice
Privacy & Data Security
We can help you understand and maneuver through issues and manage risks inherent in the maintenance, protection, use and disclosure of sensitive data.
Practice
Environmental, Social & Governance
Our multi-disciplinary team — comprised of business, litigation, energy, environmental, and human rights advisors — will help you develop and implement an ESG program specifically designed for your organization’s needs. We’ve been doing this since the 1980s, and have the experience and institutional memory to craft impactful and cutting edge ESG strategies.
Practice
United Nations
Recognized around the world for its expertise in Public International Law and representation of sovereign States, Foley Hoag has a Special Practice Group dedicated to serving States and their Permanent Missions to the United Nations.
Industry
Energy & Climate
During this era of innovation and disruption across the energy, clean technology and climate industries, we guide clients through a complex and evolving technology, regulatory and financing landscape
Industry
Technology
No industry moves faster than technology. We help clients in all stages of development navigate the evolving landscape while minimizing disruption to their business.
Industry
Consumer & Retail
Using our extensive industry knowledge, we provide clients with the services needed to succeed whether they are a natural foods manufacturer or an established fashion house.
Industry
Professional Services
When professional services organizations need professional services themselves, Foley Hoag is the wise choice.
Industry
Life Sciences
Our nationally recognized Life Sciences practice can help you navigate the issues associated with the development and commercialization of innovative medical products and services.

Blog Editors

Blog Authors

Stay Up to Date

Subscribe to Global Business & Human Rights

We use cookies to enhance user experience, improve functionality and performance, and for analysis of website traffic. By clicking “accept”, you agree to the use of cookies. For more information about our cookie policy and the information we collect, please review our Privacy Statement.