June 2023 CLE Event – The Politics of ESG and Investing (Archive)

The ACIC Education Committee invites you to join us on June 27 at noon EST for a timely panel discussion tackling the ongoing political turmoil regarding the use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment decision-making.  A coalition of 21 state Attorneys General have spoken out against the use of ESG, while other states – and the Biden Administration, in exercising its first presidential veto – have acted to protect ESG as an appropriate tool for optimizing investments.  Division in the US shows little immediate promise of being cured, with ESG and “woke investing” continuing to take center stage.  Our panelists will help us sort through the noise and identify practical measures to keep in mind as this debate about investment fundamentals rages on.  Karl Racine, a Partner at Hogan Lovells, is a trailblazer in the ESG space. In his role as Attorney General of the District of Columbia, Karl was front-and-center defending entities that utilize ESG assessment strategies, and led the largest coordinated Democratic response to the Republican Attorneys General criticizing the use of ESG considerations. Karl has quickly become a leading voice—appearing before national and bipartisan audiences—making the case that using ESG factors to evaluate long term risk and reward is a sound and legal investment strategy.  Abby Wilhelm is a Senior Business Manager and Policy Advisor at Hogan Lovells’ Washington D.C. office where she advises clients navigating political and reputational uncertainty. Abby previously served as then-Attorney General Racine’s Chief of Staff and played an instrumental role in coordinating the Democratic Attorney General response on ESG. Together, they will provide the group with a uniquely informed perspective on the politics of the moment in this volatile space.  Hope you can join us.