DLA Piper adds Kristy Balsanek as a partner in the firm’s Regulatory & Government Affairs group
DLA Piper is pleased to welcome Washington, DC-based partner Kristy Balsanek to the firm’s Regulatory & Government Affairs group.
Balsanek has over 20 years of legal experience, practicing in both global law firm and in-house roles. She focuses her practice on advising on core Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) related risk areas including business ethics, corporate governance, director/officer duties, anti-corruption, sanctions, labor and human rights, global supply chain transparency, climate change, green initiatives, environmental marketing, privacy and data protection among many others.
Infusing a holistic, integrated and practical approach to ESG throughout businesses and organizations, Balsanek serves as a trusted advisor supporting their transition towards creating long term value and sustainability in a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory tapestry across the globe. She designs and implements risk-based compliance and governance programs including, but not limited to risk assessment, corporate policies and procedures, third-party due diligence, M&A, internal and government investigations, reporting, disclosures, audits and trainings. She represents companies in compliance related regulatory enforcement and litigation matters.
Balsanek also works with clients in negotiating complex agreements with key suppliers and strategic partners across all business departments – such as logistics, procurement, purchasing, import/export, technology, finance, human resources, marketing and corporate social responsibility – towards optimal business outcomes while mitigating compliance risk.
“ESG is constantly changing in response to political, economic, business and technological forces. In order to develop a practice capable of meeting client needs in a dynamic and complex field, we need industry veterans like Kristy who have extensive experience in ESG, bringing both depth and diversity of experience in navigating this increasingly regulated marketplace,” said Edward “Smitty” Smith, chair of the Regulatory and Government Affairs group.
She has past experience serving as general counsel for the North American divisions of two large international companies and as an international corporate compliance attorney at two global law firms. In her most recent role as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Data Privacy Officer of Lidl US, a global grocery retail company headquartered in Germany, she oversaw and advised US, European and Asian management teams on a broad range of legal matters and led the management of the company’s cross-functional business teams on ESG-related requirements.
“Kristy will be a valuable addition to our DC office, providing clients with comprehensive experience in a complex landscape while collaborating across practice groups and sectors,” said William Minor, managing partner of the Washington, DC office.
DLA Piper is committed to making businesses better by helping clients and communities transition to and thrive in a more sustainable future. The firm understands the unique challenges and needs of each sector and delivers seamless global solutions to clients around the world. To find out more, please visit DLA Piper’s Sustainability and Environment, Social and Governance portal.
