McCann FitzGerald LLP and University College Cork (UCC) have together launched a sustainability-focused module for law students.

The programme, covering environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) and businesses: law, policy and practice, was established in response to growing regulatory changes and increased demand for specialist advice in this complex and expanding area of legislation.

The module will be taught by Professor Femi Amao, recently-appointed Professor of Company Law and Sustainability.

McCann FitzGerald LLP partners, including Éamon Ó Cuív, Ciara Ryan, Brendan Slattery and Laura Treacy, will deliver seminars with a specific practitioner focus, including perspectives on sustainable finance, ESG disputes and litigation, sustainability reporting, and ESG considerations for competition law.

Dean of Law Professor Mark Poustie said that UCC was grateful for the support which will help to ensure that all BCL and LLB students have access to ESG education.

“This is a vitally important area for corporate law and will help to shift corporate governance to more sustainable models over time,” he said.

Practical step

McCann FitzGerald partner Éamon Ó Cuív said the move was a practical step towards building the necessary pipeline of talent to advise on the challenges associated with the transition to net zero.

As part of its wider relationship with UCC School of Law, McCann FitzGerald LLP will continue to support a bursary in first year contract law and prizes for law students at both undergraduate BCL and postgraduate LLB level.