Law firm offers environmental, social and governance counsel

Harrisburg-based McNees Wallace & Nurick has established a new practice to help clients succeed in their sustainability efforts. 

Led by Frannie Reilly, the law firm said its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practice will streamline its resources designed to prepare clients large and small for long-term stability and success. 

The firm said its move to formalize its environmental stability, social responsibility and ethical, equitable and inclusive governance services is unique to central Pennsylvania. 

 McNees’ ESG professionals are the only team in the region advising corporate, financial, nonprofit and government clients on matters involving everything from the development and implementation of ESG programs to ensuring organizations are establishing and following best practices for their respective industry. 

“McNees has long practiced these areas of law,” Reilly said. “What we are doing here is restructuring our people, experiences, thought leadership and other resources to better serve our clients.” 

The nine ESG team members serve healthcare, higher education, real estate development, transportation and logistics, utilities, retail and automotive clients, among other industries, that range from Fortune 100 corporations to small start-ups and nonprofits to government entities. Their work has included the issuance of green bonds, development of renewable energy projects, advice on corporate governance counseling matters and review of social policies. 

Reilly counsels clients on the opportunities available to leverage ESG strategies to support their long-term success, including the use of ESG Bonds and Green Bonds, to further their sustainability plans.  

She leads the firm’s Charitable and Non-Profit team and serves as co-chair of the firm’s Public Finance & Government Services group, which was recently ranked third in Pennsylvania for its bond counsel work by The Bond Buyer. 

Reilly is an active member of McNees’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee and Supplier Diversity Council Member for the Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East, an advocacy group for women business owners and entrepreneurs in the Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey regions. Her long-term involvement with the group led McNees to become the first law firm to join the council in this region.