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.

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……
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…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog February 10, 2017
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
It's 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 federal court decision holding that U.S.-based companies may be obligated to turn over customer data stored outside the United States; an amicus brief opposing President Trumps Executive Order establishing an entry ban on individual from seven Muslim-majority countries; and new guidance from the OECD with regard to due diligence in……
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog February 19, 2016
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 weve been monitoring. This week's post includes: Apples refusal to comply with a federal court order; a new report highlighting the most pressing business and human rights challenges facing companies today; and an evaluation of corporate compliance with the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act. Apple made headlines this week when it announced that it would not comply with a……
New Credit Card Security Doesn't Go Far Enough
Blog October 05, 2015
New Credit Card Security Doesn't Go Far Enough
This post, written by Martha Coakley and John Hurst, originally ran as an op-ed in the September 25, 2015 edition of The Boston Globe. Hardly a week goes by without a news report of a new cyberattack. As any consumer affected by fraud knows, the harm is real. The  impact on businesses, government…
The Right to be Forgotten: Another Scuffle between Google and The French Data Protection Authority
Blog August 12, 2015
The Right to be Forgotten: Another Scuffle between Google and The French Data Protection Authority
This post, written by Catherine Muyl and Alice Berendes, was originally published on the firms Security, Privacy, and the Law blog. On 13 May 2014 the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued a judgment which Google called a “landmark ruling” (Google v. Costeja Gonzalez case…
Alien Tort Case Development: Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Claims Against Occidental Petroleum
Blog January 25, 2015
Alien Tort Case Development: Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Claims Against Occidental Petroleum
In mid-December, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of claims filed pursuant to the Alien Tort Statute (ATS) against Occidental Petroleum. Plaintiffs in the case argued that Occidental should be held liable for the deaths of three union leaders in Colombia who were killed by the Colombian National Armys 18th Brigade in 2004. The court affirmed the lower courts finding that the case raised non-justiciable political questions…
Protests Against Surveillance and New Rules on Transparency
Blog February 11, 2014
Protests Against Surveillance and New Rules on Transparency
Today, February 11, is a digital day of protest against surveillance by the National Security Agency. Billed The Day We Fight Back, participants in the protest range from activist groups to the Reform Government Surveillance Coalition, an business entity which includes Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo!, and AOL. Protesters demands include Congressional support for the Freedom Act…
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…
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.