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What role do lawyers have in preventing environmental and human rights harms in global supply chains?
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues are a focus for many of our clients, whether they operate in the public, private, or third sectors.
Each of our clients puts a different lens on ESG issues, and their motivations for seeking to improve their ESG performance are often complex and constantly evolving. Whether in response to the climate and biodiversity crisis, global political events, or local social movements, our clients each have a different ESG ‘fingerprint’—unique to them.
In previous years, we have asked students to write essays on: the role of lawyers in tackling biodiversity loss; the balance between additional legislation and new technology in climate change mitigation and adaptation; and our clients’ motivation for ESG action. This year we are focusing on supply chains, which are often complex and international—and which can make or break an organisation’s ESG success.
We expect that the best essays will refer to one or more of the different sectors that we focus on and the issues that our clients, and those like them, face in those sectors. We don’t expect you to address every potential harm, so please focus on the aspects that interest you the most. Whilst we are interested to read your ideas about the role of lawyers working in private practice law firms, do think about the roles that in-house lawyers play also.
What you can win
The essay that captures our imagination the most will win a week’s paid internship (with accommodation if required) in our London office, working with our team of expert lawyers on a variety of ESG issues.
During your week’s internship, you’ll meet clients, undertake research, draft advice, and work closely with us to find out what it’s like advising clients on emerging legislation and ESG best practices. You’ll gain a great understanding of what life as a lawyer at Gowling WLG is like.
We will also host an Open Day for some of our runners-up. We’ll invite you to our London office where you will get to meet some of our lawyers who advise on ESG matters, as well as some of our trainee solicitors and our Early Talent team.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are currently studying at university or are a graduate. It doesn’t matter whether you have a law or non-law background.
Unfortunately, we cannot cover the costs of international travel to attend the internship or Open Day, and you must have the right to work in the UK.
How to apply?
Essays should be no more than 750 words (excluding references – please note that we have no preference for referencing style), and the deadline for entries is 6pm on Friday 19th September 2025.
Please submit your entries to [email protected].
We would like to receive your essays in .pdf format, and when submitting your entry, please include your name; where you’re studying (or studied); and details of your subject. Rest assured that our judges will not have access to that information when reading your essay.
If you have any questions about the competition, please contact:
