McNees launches first ESG practice in central Pennsylvania
April 18, 2023
Press Releases
HARRISBURG, Pa. — (April 18, 2023) McNees Wallace & Nurick launched its Environmental, Social and Governance practice to streamline its resources designed to prepare clients large and small for long-term stability and success.
The firm’s move to formalize its environmental stability, social responsibility and ethical, equitable and inclusive governance services is unique to central Pennsylvania. Led by Frannie Reilly, 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, chair of McNees’ ESG Group, said. “What we are doing here is restructuring our people, experiences, thought leadership and other resources to better serve our clients.”
Tapped from McNees’ deep bench of legal talent, the nine ESG team members serve healthcare, higher education, real estate development, transportation and logistics, utilities, retail and automotive clients, among many 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, counsel on corporate governance counseling matters and review of social policies, to name a few.
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.
She 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.
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McNees is a multidisciplinary law firm founded in 1935 with more than 150 attorneys representing businesses, associations, institutions, municipalities and individuals. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Devon, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Scranton, State College and York, Pa.; Columbus, Ohio; Frederick, Md.; and Washington, D.C. McNees is also a member of the ALFA International Global Legal Network.
