General counsel are eagerly grabbing the reins of ESG programs, a role that builds off their intricate knowledge of the regulatory environment and the relationships many have established across their companies.

“It also has a social and media and communications and branding component,” said PJ Harari, a partner of in-house recruiting at Major, Lindsey & Africa. “It has an environmental component, which might deal with operations and efficiencies, supply chain issues. Those are all within the control of different departments, but legal brings people together.”