251.7S sec. 001 - Sustainable Capitalism and ESG (Summer 2025)
Instructor: Angeli Patel (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only
Units: 1
Grading Designation: Credit Only
Mode of Instruction: In-Person
Meeting:
TuWThF 2:00 PM - 5:10 PM
Location: Law 244
From May 27, 2025
To May 30, 2025
Class Number: Click to show Class Number
Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 3
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 34
As of: 04/05 11:14 PM
The prediction that companies and investors would retreat from sustainability & ESG efforts in the face of criticism and economic downturn is proving to be incorrect. The global pandemic, racial injustice, rising income inequality, and climate change have only heightened the demands for capitalism to take account of its stakeholders. These demands are coming from investors, regulators, employees, and the public, who are increasingly asking companies to manage their environmental and social impact. Precisely how to meet this growing demand remains unclear. The course brings fresh perspectives directly from in-house attorneys of companies in various sectors that are taking on the challenge of becoming stakeholder-focused companies. The course will use a mix of theory, case study, discussion, and speakers to bring to life the day-to-day of practicing sustainability & ESG law at companies. Students will learn how to think strategically about legal risks and opportunities and ultimately how to lead in both law and business.
Angeli Patel is the Executive Director of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business. Previously, she was an attorney in the Sustainability & ESG Advisory Practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in San Francisco where she advised clients on the governance of climate and social risks, and a Lecturer at Berkeley Law. Angeli has also previously held roles at Jones Day in the corporate group and at the UN Global Compact Network Australia as advisor on anti-corruption and business & human rights. Prior to her legal career, Angeli served at the White House Office of Management and Budget under the Obama Administration and served as a policy advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on consumer privacy as well as the Ministry of Finance in Chile on government modernization. In addition to her career in law and government, Angeli leads and advises small businesses and startups. She launched her own puzzle line for women of color in 2021 and is an advisor to the DEI start-up, Mandala.
Remote + Summer Students PLEASE NOTE: You cannot take Sustainable Capitalism & ESG in the fall semester if you take this course in the summer.
Exam Notes: (TH) Take-home Final Exam
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Course Category: Business Law
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