Stephen Shergold is a partner in our global Sustainability and Responsible Business industry group, specialising in ESG, and leads our Environment sub-group in London. Stephen's practice focuses on legal responsibility for damage to the environment and harm to human health covering regulatory compliance, transactional support and litigation, including corporate and D&O criminal defence. Stephen advises on all aspects of environmental permitting, waste regulation, water pollution, contaminated land, air pollution, climate change, decarbonisation, chemicals, radioactive substances, biodiversity, protected habitats and species, and health and safety at work.
Stephen's practice is global including extensive experience across Europe and Africa. He has contributed to capacity building across Africa including Major Accident Hazard planning for the Mozambican Law Society, environmental regulation of the extractive sector in Uganda for the Ugandan Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, and transitioning to a lower emissions environment for several major South African SOEs.
Stephen has been at the forefront of ESG legal developments, described in Chambers as 'a true thought leader in the space of ESG and environment law'. He counsels clients on ESG strategies, reporting and disclosure obligations, compliance with supply chain due diligence and human rights regulatory regimes, stakeholder driven litigation defence and reputation management.
Stephen is recognised as a Band 1 Leader in Environment & Climate Change by Chambers and is a member of Legal 500's Hall of Fame for Environmental practitioners. In 2023 Stephen was listed on the Thomson Reuters Global Impact Lawyers Register, and previously he has been shortlisted by both the FT Innovative Lawyers in Europe and British Legal Awards for his work in ESG.
