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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 Governments Push Back on Corporate Human Rights Responsibilities, Influential Stakeholders Push Forward
Blog April 28, 2025
As Governments Push Back on Corporate Human Rights Responsibilities, Influential Stakeholders Push Forward
In a blog article before the November 2024 election, our GBHR Practice discussed how the pushback on ESG will not stop the tide towards higher human rights standards for companies…
Recent Developments in E.U. and U.S. Human Rights Law Signal an End to Voluntary Corporate Standards
Blog August 11, 2024
Recent Developments in E.U. and U.S. Human Rights Law Signal an End to Voluntary Corporate Standards
Over the next few years, lawmakers and regulators in many jurisdictions will be deepening their implementation of new human rights laws that impose significantly higher compliance burdens for companies. Concerns over whether companies can tolerate the increasing challenges associated with compliance are fast being supplanted by the belief that companies must build ESG risk management systems into their cost of doing business…
New E.U. Law Advances Global Efforts to Eradicate Forced Labor in Supply Chains
Blog June 26, 2024
New E.U. Law Advances Global Efforts to Eradicate Forced Labor in Supply Chains
On April 23, 2024, the European Parliament adopted, by an overwhelming 555-6 majority, a landmark law that will establish a sweeping and forceful regulatory regime to prohibit any products made using forced labor from being sold (including online) within, imported into, or exported from the E.U. market…
Australia's Two Modern Slavery Acts
Blog August 31, 2020
Australia's Two Modern Slavery Acts
The Australian Government has launched an online register that publishes companies' statements on their compliance with the country's Federal Modern Slavery Act of 2018. The website, which is searchable and available to the public, marks the first government-run website tracking companies' compliance with efforts to eradicate modern slavery. Unlike comparable legislation passed recently in other jurisdictions, including the U.K. Modern Slavery Act of 2015, Australia's Act makes reporting……
COVID-19 and Global Human Rights: Shifting Priorities for Governments, Civil Society, and Companies
Blog April 16, 2020
COVID-19 and Global Human Rights: Shifting Priorities for Governments, Civil Society, and Companies
The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most significant global public health crises since the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-20. The spread of the Coronavirus through every continent and major metropolis has led to unprecedented policy responses from governments both large and small. As a result, the human rights community is more closely scrutinizing the impact of these responses, while many company operations are more likely to overlap with the pandemic and evolving government policy in some……
Pioneering Dutch Law Raises Global Standards for Eliminating Child Labor in Supply Chains – Understanding the Dimensions of Compliance
Blog June 07, 2019
Pioneering Dutch Law Raises Global Standards for Eliminating Child Labor in Supply Chains – Understanding the Dimensions of Compliance
The Dutch Senate recently adopted the Child Labour Due Diligence Act, a new measure with far reaching implications for the sourcing, manufacturing, and consumption of products that contain inputs from the bodies of child laborers. The new law is the product of protracted negotiations that have taken place over several years in the Dutch Parliament.  The Dutch House of Representatives approved the legislation in February 2017 with 82 of the chamber's 150 Members of Parliament in favor…
The 2018 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark: Some Successes but Ongoing Challenges in Company Efforts to Advance Human Rights
Blog November 19, 2018
The 2018 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark: Some Successes but Ongoing Challenges in Company Efforts to Advance Human Rights
On November 12, The Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB) released the results of its 2018 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark.  The 2018 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assesses over 100 of the largest publicly traded multinational companies in the world on a set of key human rights indicators, including governance policies, remedies and grievance mechanisms, responding to serious allegations, due diligence, and transparency. Established in 2013…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog August 17, 2018
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: new guidance on compliance with North Korea-related sanctions laws; the release of the first annual report by the parties to the Dutch Banking Sector Agreement on International Responsible Business Conduct; and a new blog series on the zero draft of the proposed Treaty on Business and Human Rights…
Watch: Brand Management for In-House Counsel
Blog February 14, 2018
Watch: Brand Management for In-House Counsel
The Intersection of Trademarks, Advertising and Corporate Social Responsibility Protecting the value of your corporate brand is a critical mission. As companies are increasingly asked to make disclosures regarding their efforts to address social and environmental risks, these disclosures create both opportunities and challenges for those entrusted with protecting a company's intangible assets. In this webinar, we explore the interrelationship between trademarks, false advertising and……
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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.

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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.
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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.
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Labor & Employment
We offer decades of experience helping companies manage their workplace legal issues.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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When professional services organizations need professional services themselves, Foley Hoag is the wise choice.
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Our nationally recognized Life Sciences practice can help you navigate the issues associated with the development and commercialization of innovative medical products and services.

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