Claire Kernick | Lawyers

Country Of Admission

UK (England & Wales)

Services

Mainstream Corporate

Testimonial

"I use my knowledge and experience of sustainability issues to help clients operate their business amid increasing legal, regulatory and investor-led ESG requirements. In a complex and fast-evolving landscape, I help clients to navigate the climate transition while maximising strategic opportunities and minimising litigation and reputational risk."

Overview

Claire is a Managing Associate in Linklaters’ ESG team. Her recent work focuses on strategies, policies and governance systems to embed ESG throughout clients' businesses, including within significant transactions and investments, to support ESG strategy and mitigate legal risk. Claire’s particular strength is advising on board/executive governance matters and capacity building, navigating evolving regulatory and stakeholder landscapes, developing strategic approaches to ESG disclosure and advising on strategies to mitigate greenwash and other legal risks.

Claire was recently seconded to a large global investment bank to help establish an ESG Legal function within the bank. Claire previously spent two years working in a chief of staff role for the former Linklaters Senior Partner and Chair.

Work Highlights

Her recent work includes advising on:

Strategies, policies and governance systems to embed ESG governance throughout clients' businesses to support ESG strategy and mitigate liability risk.
Advice on transition plan content requirements based on existing guidance, stakeholder perspectives and litigation trends, including legal review of disclosures.
Environmental and social aspects of strategic corporate transactions, investments and financings across multiple sectors including integration of ESG considerations into due diligence and transaction documents.
ESG regulation and disclosure regimes, including advice on their application, substantive requirements, interoperability and reporting readiness and strategy. Key experience includes the EU CSRD, CSDDD, Taxonomy and SFDR regimes, UK climate and sustainability reporting requirements, as well as modern slavery and human rights laws.
Carbon insetting/offsetting programmes and the development of a regenerative agriculture platform, including drafting a suite of template contracts and advice on incorporation and governance arrangements.

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Beyond the Office

Claire is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales.

Claire has spent time on secondment to our Hong Kong office (2016), to the office of the former Linklaters Senior Partner and Chair (2018-2020) and to a large global investment bank (2022).

Claire is a regular contributor to our Sustainable Futures Blog.

Education and Qualifications

Claire holds a First Class degree in Law from Jesus College, University of Cambridge.

Claire also holds a CFA Certificate in ESG Investing, giving her a valuable insight into key ESG issues facing clients such as integrating ESG into investment decision-making and engagement strategies.

Country Of Admission

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Overview

Work Highlights

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Beyond the Office

Education and Qualifications

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Overview

Work Highlights