David P Hackett

Practice Areas

David Hackett advises senior management, legal departments and boards of major corporations and nonprofits on compliance, risk, environmental and sustainability matters. He has exceptional experience managing US and international compliance and environmental projects, including the evaluation and development of effective compliance and sustainability programs. He also has extensive experience litigating major civil and criminal environmental matters. David sits on multiple nonprofit boards and additionally advises many civic and nonprofit organizations across the globe.

Following his tenure with the Environmental Enforcement Division of the US Department of Justice, David joined the Firm where he has played a formative role in the establishment of the Firm's compliance, environmental, climate and ESG practices. At Baker McKenzie, David has served as the managing partner of North America, a member of the Global Executive Committee, and Chicago office managing partner. He has also been the North America Chair of both the Compliance Practice Group and the Banking, Finance and Major Projects Practice Group.

Practice Focus

David's practice concentrates on the representation of multinationals and organizations related to compliance and risk, especially involving ESG matters. In connection with ESG, he provides advice on ESG programs and reports, risk assessments, reporting and disclosure, governance and structure, transactions, supply chain matters, and litigation. He has evaluated and reviewed ESG programs and reports for leading multinationals in diverse industries. He advises companies, financial institutions, project developers and standard setters in relation to climate strategy, as well as carbon credit project development, transactions, trading and requirements. He has assisted multiple public companies in their development of conflict mineral programs and the related SEC filings as well as more broadly ESG supply chain strategies and matters. He is a frequent speaker on ESG and has authored articles on ESG governance and ESG litigation. He also has advised leading ESG standard setters and organizations such as the UN Global Compact, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, World Resources Institute, the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation Accounting for Sustainability, Global Reporting Initiative, and World Bank/IFC.  

Professional Memberships

American College of Environmental Lawyers

USCIB Environment and CSR Committees

American Bar Association, Business, International and Environment and Natural Resources Committees

World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Environmental Law Institute, Council of Partners

Publications

Climate Law University - U.S. Climate Developments Baker McKenzie Webinar, 16 December 2021

Climate Change and Private Companies, Private Directors Association Webinar, 17 November 2021

30th Annual International Environmental Conference: U.S. Climate Developments, Baker McKenzie Webinar, 2 November 2021

Corporate Compliance: ESG and CSR, Society of Corporate Compliance Ethics, Las Vegas, 21 September 2021

Road to COP26 Podcast Series Baker McKenzie Podcast/webinar, 22 July 2021