The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Launches Sustainable Business Law Hub, Creating Opportunities for Training, Policy and Research that Address Global Environmental Challenges

November 29, 2021
Sustainable Business Law Hub

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University today announced the launch of the School’s Sustainable Business Law Hub.

Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub will serve as an incubator space, student-training program, research endeavor, and think tank devoted to addressing global sustainability challenges through policy and research projects, relationships with the business community, and capacity building in private environmental governance. The Hub will incorporate the three pillars of sustainability—economic, social and environmental welfare—into global business practices by engaging in research and policy development, improving public law and governance, and working with existing industry, the small business community, startups, and the community at-large to develop and employ innovative private environmental models and sustainability practices, such as those that promote a circular economy. Working hand-in-hand with faculty experts, students participating in the Hub will receive practical training and experience in using the law to foster sustainable business practices.

“Haub Law continues to successfully train lawyers of the future and our newly launched Sustainable Business Law Hub will now train the first generation of ‘sustainable business lawyers’,” remarked Horace Anderson, Dean of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. He continued, “Haub Law is uniquely situated in White Plains – making it the only law school in Westchester, while also being a short train ride into New York City. The opportunities for collaboration and impact in the local Westchester community, New York City and State, and beyond are vast.”

The Sustainable Business Law Hub will function as a competitive program with Haub Law students applying for acceptance and taking pre-requisite courses. Participation in the Sustainable Business Law Hub is open to qualifying JD law students who will have the opportunity to pursue an accelerated JD/MBA joint degree, receive the Advanced Certificate in Environmental Law, and take part in the school’s sustainable business law track in the Business Law Path-to-Practice, as well as receive specialized career mentorship and guidance. The Hub will also employ an LLM graduate research fellow. The Hub will have a rigorous curriculum, with seminars related to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and sustainable development, and opportunities for practical experience through externships and a practicum. Within those settings, the students will work in an in-house sustainability or legal department – handling environmental compliance issues, ESG, and/or assisting with sustainability strategies and policies.

“Haub Law’s environmental law program is ranked number one in the nation. Our innovative and future-thinking curriculum is what continues to differentiate us from other law schools. We have been teaching our students the importance of sustainability for many years through our courses and our clinics. This Hub will not only continue to educate and graduate lawyers with a mind for sustainable business practices, but help employ those practices in real-time, benefiting the social spectrum of businesses and the environment,” stated Jason Czarnezki, Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives. “I see this as a prime opportunity for Haub Law to meaningfully contribute to the enhancement of good corporate citizenship, actualize an honest vision for corporate social responsibility, and foster social equity awareness leading to action in the private sector,” added Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs.

“We are thrilled with the timing of the launch of Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub,” noted Marvin Krislov, President, Pace University. “Pace University’s Lubin School of Business recently launched The Lubin Center for Sustainable Business (“CSB”).  The Center will focus on the integration of business, environmental, social, and governance stewardship. Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub will perfectly complement the CSB and function parallel to it. Pace students are achievers, motivated, and engaged in learning – we anticipate a larger cross-over with not only courses in sustainability, but opportunities for collaboration, and students who are eager to pursue our 3-Year JD/MBA Joint Degree Program.”

As part of the launch of Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub, a kick-off inaugural Roundtable, “Building Sustainable Business and the Role of Law” will be held in early 2022. The event will include roundtable discussions with business leaders, attorneys, and thought leaders.

The Sustainable Business Law Hub Advisory Board

Anna Marciano Romanella (Haub Law ‘00), VP, Sustainability Zone North America Nestle, GC & Head of Sustainability, Nespresso USA

Colin Myers (Haub Law ’21), Associate (ESG), Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Anna-Sophia E. Haub, ESG Project Manager, Emil Capital Partners LLC

Madhuri Pavamani, Sustainability & ESG Advisory Practice Director, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Horace Anderson, Dean and Professor of Law, Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Jason Czarnezki, Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, Associate Dean and Executive Director of Environmental Law Programs, Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs and Professor, Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Jon Brown, Director, Food and Beverage Law Clinic, Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Josh Galperin, Assistant Professor of Law, Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Shirley Lin, Assistant Professor of Law, Elisabeth Haub School of Law

About Elisabeth Haub School of Law

Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University offers JD and Masters of Law (LLM) degrees in both Environmental and International Law, as well as a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) in Environmental Law. The School, housed on the University’s campus in White Plains, N.Y., opened its doors in 1976 and has more than 9,000 alumni around the world. The School maintains a unique philosophy and approach to legal education that strikes an important balance between practice and theory. Haub Law launched its Environmental Law Program in 1978, and it has long been ranked among the world’s leading university programs, with a current #1 ranking by U.S. World and News Report. Pace’s doctoral graduates teach environmental law at universities around the world. Pace’s JD alumni are prominent in environmental law firms, agencies and non-profit organizations across the U.S. and abroad. In 2016, the Law School received a transformational gift from the family of Elisabeth Haub, in recognition of its outstanding environmental law programs. For more information about Haub Law, visit http://law.pace.edu

You May Also Like