Kristy Balsanek
PartnerEXPERIENCE
- Counseled numerous public and private multi-national companies in the healthcare, industrials, information technology, and consumer goods, food and retail sectors on applicable global sustainability and ESG corporate disclosure laws in the US (e.g., SEC Climate Disclosure Rules, proposed Federal Contractor Climate Disclosure Rule, CA Climate Disclosure Laws), as well as coordinate with DLA International attorneys regarding the applicability and legal requirements of the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy), and rest of world (e.g., Germany, France, Australia, Korea, Japan, Singapore). Advise on scope, applicability assessments, legal requirements, gap analyses, global sustainability and ESG compliance programs, annual ESG Reports, and ESG legal disclosure horizon scanning.
- Advised international financial institution on sector-specific US climate disclosure laws and guidance principles.
- Counseled a US headquartered international consumer goods and retail company on priority sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG ) laws, including environmental plastics, packaging, deforestation, biodiversity, human rights, modern slavery, forced labor, and governance (executive training and oversight). Advised on greenwashing and fair-washing litigation trends for proactive monitoring and compliance.
- Advised a global real estate company on net-zero legislation, benchmarking, reporting, fossil fuel bans, and green leasing.
- Advised a private equity firm on pre-investment ESG due diligence in a global M&A deal, including assessing target’s ESG corporate disclosures legal requirements, ESG Compliance Program, and ESG litigation risk. Advised on post-investment recommendations on ESG integration and legal compliance.
- Counseled industrials company on ESG metrics required by credit rating agencies, ESG corporate disclosure reporting requirements, ESG compliance program requirements, ESG litigation risk and recommendations in preparation for credit rating review/reporting for favorable sustainable financing programs.
- Advised global industrials company on proactive US greenwashing litigation., drafted marketing guidance, and trained marketing team.
- Advised global technology company on its first ever climate transition plan outlining how the company would transition its existing business model to reach its net-zero goals.
- Counseled global industrials and technology companies on sustainability and ESG legal requirements, corporate disclosure laws, ESG compliance programs, ESG litigation risk and fiduciary duties.
- Advised company boards on ESG legal requirements, corporate disclosure laws, ESG compliance programs, ESG litigation risk and fiduciary duties.
- Advised major global educational organization on global forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, child labor, and other business human rights (BHR) laws for an ESG Compliance Program. Reviewed, revised Human Rights Compliance Programs and Policies.
- Counseled global informational technology company on investor inquiry regarding UN Sustainable Development Goals and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, investigated compliance policies and procedures, and drafted investor responses.
J.D., George Washington University
Member, The George Washington University Law Review- B.A., American University, School of International Service, cum laude
International Studies and Economics with a minor in German
Study Abroad: The American University in Vienna, Central European Economics and Politics
Pro Bono
Media Mentions
- Kristy Balsanek on Wharton Business Daily, October 4, 2023
- "Will More Law Firms Come For Companies' ESG Talent?," Law360, March 13, 2023
- "How ESG Is Challenging Operations Of Companies, GCs," Law360, February 27, 2023
- "DLA Piper Hires Ex-GC, Compliance Head of Lidl US," Law360, February 21, 2023
Prior Experience
Additional Information
- Volunteer, Peace Corps, Daxian, Sichuan, China, 1997-1999
Memberships and Affiliations
- Non-Profit Board Member and Chair of the Governance Committee, READ Global
- Member, National Association of Women Lawyers
- Member, Vital Voices, Regional Council for Washington, DC