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Human Rights and Global Strategy

For individuals and global organizations, engaging with and responding to human rights issues has never been more high stakes. At Jenner & Block, our Human Rights and Global Strategy Practice helps clients address a wide range of human rights issues involving corruption and rule of law, freedom of expression, supply chain standards, human trafficking and modern slavery, environmental justice, stakeholder engagement, and indigenous persons’ rights.

Our team includes:

  • A former US Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland
  • A former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Division
  • A former trial attorney in the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division
  • A director at the Center for Justice & Accountability
  • A former director of Amnesty International UK

Through our team’s longstanding engagement in the international human rights system, we bring a credible, commercial, values-driven approach to each engagement, leveraging a deep understanding of human rights norms, and the multilateral system to help clients both preempt and solve complex transnational crises involving major threats to businesses, brands, and reputations. With our help, clients develop strong business and human rights strategies and practices; instigate robust supply chain governance; prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from human rights issues, including in their supply chains; navigate highly sensitive transnational disputes involving hostage negotiations and public corruption; and use civil litigation to hold governments accountable for potential wrongdoing.

Global Strategies for Corporate Compliance

Governments around the world are taking divergent approaches to requiring global businesses to assess their supply chains and report on efforts to prevent human rights, climate and other environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. The risk landscape has complexified through these differing regulations, as well as intensified enforcement actions, government and media scrutiny, litigation by NGOs and private plaintiffs and pressure from investors, customers, shareholders, employees, and labor organizations.

With our experience of the regulatory landscape as well as soft law standards and market practice, we advise global organizations on integrating human rights and climate compliance obligations across their organizations and supply chains. We stand ready to help our clients develop cohesive, coordinated and strategic approaches – both to identify, assess, mitigate and prevent adverse human rights or climate impacts, and implement or reinforce a comprehensive compliance strategy that balances different international risks.

In particular, we advise on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and implementation of human rights policies. Our team understands the Guiding Principles and how they operate, and we can aid business enterprises as they navigate any aspect of the process, including making human rights impact assessments to ensure credible human rights policies and practices.

Crisis Management, Investigating, and Rooting out Wrongdoing

We conduct independent investigations to develop strategic responses to human rights-related crises and conduct global reviews for companies seeking proactively to identify and address vulnerabilities in corporate policies, supply chains, and partnerships. Where misconduct has taken place, we help companies stem the wrongdoing, manage the fallout, and build their businesses back better.

Representation in International Fora

When companies find themselves under the scrutiny of the complex and multifaceted system that governs human rights, they trust our team to navigate each step. We know how the system works and act quickly to minimize reputational damage while engaging productively with the Inter- American Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice, International Court of Justice, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UN Human Rights Council, among other institutions.

Affirmative Litigation for Victims of Human Rights Abuses and Their Families

For individual clients who have been victims of human rights abuses, we bring the full force of our experience to hold perpetrators accountable. We pursue relief through litigation in the United States, United Kingdom, European, and international courts to advance individual rights and dignity. We have represented clients held hostage overseas, victims of extrajudicial killings and terrorism, and other victims of international law violations who seek to vindicate their rights through litigation. We have extensive experience litigating claims in US courts pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism Act, Torture Victim Protection Act, and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act; and in the UK and EU under the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights.

Investigations, Compliance, and Counselling

  • Conducted workers’ rights assessment to assess a large technology company’s efforts to comply with its Human Rights Policy in the United States as it relates to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining.
  • Counseled a major tech company that was being criticized by the United Nations because UN experts perceived that the company’s platform was being used as a means to incite violence and human rights abuses. With active engagement, we were able successfully to address the concerns and ameliorate the reputational risks involved. *
  • Represented a security company initially listed by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights on the “black list” of companies alleged to be doing business in the West Bank.
  • Advised companies in the technology, consumer products, electronics, and other industries on developing human rights policies and procedures, complying with human rights reporting requirements and best practices, and integrating human rights into their business models and supply chains.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the application of human rights legislation in multiple different jurisdictions to their business operations around the world.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the human rights implications of corporate acquisitions.

Litigation 

  • Serving as co-counsel with Amal Clooney representing more than 400 Yazidi-Americans in a lawsuit alleging French conglomerate Lafarge SA aided and abetted ISIS terrorist campaigns against the ethnic minority.
  • Won dismissal of fraud litigation—brought by foreign government entities against a perceived political opponent—based on the United States’ assertion of the state secrets privilege and won appeal affirming dismissal in published First Circuit opinion.
  • Represented the widow of a journalist in U.S. federal court seeking money damages from foreign government officials for carrying out the extrajudicial killing of that journalist.
  • Representing a former foreign government official in affirmative human rights litigation in U.S. federal court arising from an attempted extrajudicial killing of that official.
  • Representing the family of a victim of the downing of MH17 in eastern Ukraine in civil litigation against Russian banks under the US Anti-Terrorism Act.
  • Defending a former foreign government official against a campaign of persecution brought by state-owned instrumentalities in civil courts in the UK and around the world.
  • Successfully represented a senior Afghan female judge at immediate risk of Taliban retaliation in her application for resettlement in the UK.  

*Matter handled by a Jenner & Block partner prior to joining the firm.

Experience

Investigations, Compliance, and Counselling

  • Conducted workers’ rights assessment to assess a large technology company’s efforts to comply with its Human Rights Policy in the United States as it relates to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining.
  • Counseled a major tech company that was being criticized by the United Nations because UN experts perceived that the company’s platform was being used as a means to incite violence and human rights abuses. With active engagement, we were able successfully to address the concerns and ameliorate the reputational risks involved. *
  • Represented a security company initially listed by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights on the “black list” of companies alleged to be doing business in the West Bank.
  • Advised companies in the technology, consumer products, electronics, and other industries on developing human rights policies and procedures, complying with human rights reporting requirements and best practices, and integrating human rights into their business models and supply chains.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the application of human rights legislation in multiple different jurisdictions to their business operations around the world.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the human rights implications of corporate acquisitions.

Litigation 

  • Serving as co-counsel with Amal Clooney representing more than 400 Yazidi-Americans in a lawsuit alleging French conglomerate Lafarge SA aided and abetted ISIS terrorist campaigns against the ethnic minority.
  • Won dismissal of fraud litigation—brought by foreign government entities against a perceived political opponent—based on the United States’ assertion of the state secrets privilege and won appeal affirming dismissal in published First Circuit opinion.
  • Represented the widow of a journalist in U.S. federal court seeking money damages from foreign government officials for carrying out the extrajudicial killing of that journalist.
  • Representing a former foreign government official in affirmative human rights litigation in U.S. federal court arising from an attempted extrajudicial killing of that official.
  • Representing the family of a victim of the downing of MH17 in eastern Ukraine in civil litigation against Russian banks under the US Anti-Terrorism Act.
  • Defending a former foreign government official against a campaign of persecution brought by state-owned instrumentalities in civil courts in the UK and around the world.
  • Successfully represented a senior Afghan female judge at immediate risk of Taliban retaliation in her application for resettlement in the UK.  

*Matter handled by a Jenner & Block partner prior to joining the firm.

Human Rights and Global Strategy

For individuals and global organizations, engaging with and responding to human rights issues has never been more high stakes. At Jenner & Block, our Human Rights and Global Strategy Practice helps clients address a wide range of human rights issues involving corruption and rule of law, freedom of expression, supply chain standards, human trafficking and modern slavery, environmental justice, stakeholder engagement, and indigenous persons’ rights.

Our team includes:

  • A former US Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland
  • A former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the US Department of Justice’s Criminal Division
  • A former trial attorney in the US Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division
  • A director at the Center for Justice & Accountability
  • A former director of Amnesty International UK

Through our team’s longstanding engagement in the international human rights system, we bring a credible, commercial, values-driven approach to each engagement, leveraging a deep understanding of human rights norms, and the multilateral system to help clients both preempt and solve complex transnational crises involving major threats to businesses, brands, and reputations. With our help, clients develop strong business and human rights strategies and practices; instigate robust supply chain governance; prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from human rights issues, including in their supply chains; navigate highly sensitive transnational disputes involving hostage negotiations and public corruption; and use civil litigation to hold governments accountable for potential wrongdoing.

Global Strategies for Corporate Compliance

Governments around the world are taking divergent approaches to requiring global businesses to assess their supply chains and report on efforts to prevent human rights, climate and other environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks. The risk landscape has complexified through these differing regulations, as well as intensified enforcement actions, government and media scrutiny, litigation by NGOs and private plaintiffs and pressure from investors, customers, shareholders, employees, and labor organizations.

With our experience of the regulatory landscape as well as soft law standards and market practice, we advise global organizations on integrating human rights and climate compliance obligations across their organizations and supply chains. We stand ready to help our clients develop cohesive, coordinated and strategic approaches – both to identify, assess, mitigate and prevent adverse human rights or climate impacts, and implement or reinforce a comprehensive compliance strategy that balances different international risks.

In particular, we advise on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights and implementation of human rights policies. Our team understands the Guiding Principles and how they operate, and we can aid business enterprises as they navigate any aspect of the process, including making human rights impact assessments to ensure credible human rights policies and practices.

Crisis Management, Investigating, and Rooting out Wrongdoing

We conduct independent investigations to develop strategic responses to human rights-related crises and conduct global reviews for companies seeking proactively to identify and address vulnerabilities in corporate policies, supply chains, and partnerships. Where misconduct has taken place, we help companies stem the wrongdoing, manage the fallout, and build their businesses back better.

Representation in International Fora

When companies find themselves under the scrutiny of the complex and multifaceted system that governs human rights, they trust our team to navigate each step. We know how the system works and act quickly to minimize reputational damage while engaging productively with the Inter- American Court of Human Rights, European Court of Justice, International Court of Justice, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and UN Human Rights Council, among other institutions.

Affirmative Litigation for Victims of Human Rights Abuses and Their Families

For individual clients who have been victims of human rights abuses, we bring the full force of our experience to hold perpetrators accountable. We pursue relief through litigation in the United States, United Kingdom, European, and international courts to advance individual rights and dignity. We have represented clients held hostage overseas, victims of extrajudicial killings and terrorism, and other victims of international law violations who seek to vindicate their rights through litigation. We have extensive experience litigating claims in US courts pursuant to the Anti-Terrorism Act, Torture Victim Protection Act, and the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act; and in the UK and EU under the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights.

Investigations, Compliance, and Counselling

  • Conducted workers’ rights assessment to assess a large technology company’s efforts to comply with its Human Rights Policy in the United States as it relates to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining.
  • Counseled a major tech company that was being criticized by the United Nations because UN experts perceived that the company’s platform was being used as a means to incite violence and human rights abuses. With active engagement, we were able successfully to address the concerns and ameliorate the reputational risks involved. *
  • Represented a security company initially listed by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights on the “black list” of companies alleged to be doing business in the West Bank.
  • Advised companies in the technology, consumer products, electronics, and other industries on developing human rights policies and procedures, complying with human rights reporting requirements and best practices, and integrating human rights into their business models and supply chains.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the application of human rights legislation in multiple different jurisdictions to their business operations around the world.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the human rights implications of corporate acquisitions.

Litigation 

  • Serving as co-counsel with Amal Clooney representing more than 400 Yazidi-Americans in a lawsuit alleging French conglomerate Lafarge SA aided and abetted ISIS terrorist campaigns against the ethnic minority.
  • Won dismissal of fraud litigation—brought by foreign government entities against a perceived political opponent—based on the United States’ assertion of the state secrets privilege and won appeal affirming dismissal in published First Circuit opinion.
  • Represented the widow of a journalist in U.S. federal court seeking money damages from foreign government officials for carrying out the extrajudicial killing of that journalist.
  • Representing a former foreign government official in affirmative human rights litigation in U.S. federal court arising from an attempted extrajudicial killing of that official.
  • Representing the family of a victim of the downing of MH17 in eastern Ukraine in civil litigation against Russian banks under the US Anti-Terrorism Act.
  • Defending a former foreign government official against a campaign of persecution brought by state-owned instrumentalities in civil courts in the UK and around the world.
  • Successfully represented a senior Afghan female judge at immediate risk of Taliban retaliation in her application for resettlement in the UK.  

*Matter handled by a Jenner & Block partner prior to joining the firm.

Experience

Investigations, Compliance, and Counselling

  • Conducted workers’ rights assessment to assess a large technology company’s efforts to comply with its Human Rights Policy in the United States as it relates to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining.
  • Counseled a major tech company that was being criticized by the United Nations because UN experts perceived that the company’s platform was being used as a means to incite violence and human rights abuses. With active engagement, we were able successfully to address the concerns and ameliorate the reputational risks involved. *
  • Represented a security company initially listed by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights on the “black list” of companies alleged to be doing business in the West Bank.
  • Advised companies in the technology, consumer products, electronics, and other industries on developing human rights policies and procedures, complying with human rights reporting requirements and best practices, and integrating human rights into their business models and supply chains.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the application of human rights legislation in multiple different jurisdictions to their business operations around the world.
  • Advised multiple global companies on the human rights implications of corporate acquisitions.

Litigation 

  • Serving as co-counsel with Amal Clooney representing more than 400 Yazidi-Americans in a lawsuit alleging French conglomerate Lafarge SA aided and abetted ISIS terrorist campaigns against the ethnic minority.
  • Won dismissal of fraud litigation—brought by foreign government entities against a perceived political opponent—based on the United States’ assertion of the state secrets privilege and won appeal affirming dismissal in published First Circuit opinion.
  • Represented the widow of a journalist in U.S. federal court seeking money damages from foreign government officials for carrying out the extrajudicial killing of that journalist.
  • Representing a former foreign government official in affirmative human rights litigation in U.S. federal court arising from an attempted extrajudicial killing of that official.
  • Representing the family of a victim of the downing of MH17 in eastern Ukraine in civil litigation against Russian banks under the US Anti-Terrorism Act.
  • Defending a former foreign government official against a campaign of persecution brought by state-owned instrumentalities in civil courts in the UK and around the world.
  • Successfully represented a senior Afghan female judge at immediate risk of Taliban retaliation in her application for resettlement in the UK.  

*Matter handled by a Jenner & Block partner prior to joining the firm.

Co-Chairs

View Full Team

Related Capabilities

Aerospace and Defense
Congressional Investigations
Consumer Brands
Culture Risk and Sensitive Investigations
ESG: Environmental, Social, and Governance
Election Law and Redistricting
Food and Beverage
Government Contractor Litigation and Compliance
Government Controversies and Public Policy Litigation
International Arbitration
Investigations, Compliance, and Defense
Monitorship Practice
National Security and Crisis
Native American Law
Reproductive Health Task Force
Technology

News and Insights

Event

“Driving Global Integrity: Embedding Anti-Corruption Leadership and Accountability Across Multinational Operations,” C5’s London Forum

Lucy Blake, Partner at Jenner & Block, moderated a panel discussion on driving global integrity at C5's London Forum on Global Anti-Corruption, Compliance & Risk Management.

April 22, 2026

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Featured in Edward Fennell's Legal Diary on Big Tech's Duty to Protect Children Online

London Partner Lucy Blake was featured in Edward Fennell’s Legal Diary, where she commented on the growing pressure on Big Tech to do more to protect children online, following criticism of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). Lucy's insights highlight the fundamental shift in how online harm is now regulated in the UK, and the significant legal and reputational risks facing platforms that fail to act.

March 17, 2026

Event

Five Jenner & Block Partners to Speak at 2026 ABA White Collar Crime Institute

Five Jenner & Block partners will share insights on sanctions enforcement, international anti-corruption coordination, DOJ policy shifts, and money laundering trends at the American Bar Association's White Collar Crime Institute — the premier national conference for white collar criminal defense attorneys, federal prosecutors, compliance professionals, and in-house counsel.

March 10–13, 2026 | San Diego, California

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Comments on BP Human Rights Complaint in Global Investigations Review 

London Partner Lucy Blake, who Co-Chairs Jenner & Block's Human Rights and Global Strategy practice, provided commentary to Global Investigations Review regarding the powers of the UK National Contact Point (NCP) to investigate and hold companies to account for adverse human rights and environmental impacts.    

February 11, 2026

Recognition

Jenner & Block Named Litigators of the Week Runners-Up for Pivotal Anti-Terrorism Act Ruling in Murad v. Lafarge

A Jenner & Block team led by Partners Jason Hipp, Todd C. Toral, and Brent Caslin were named as Runners-Up for Litigators of the Week by The American Lawyer for securing an important victory for Yazidi-American survivors of genocide. The US District Court for the Eastern District of New York ruled that plaintiffs have a right to sue under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1992 (ATA) if they hold US citizenship at the time of suit, establishing a clear right to seek relief for terror victims.

February 6, 2026

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake and Associate Joshua Kell Featured in Forward Law Review's Business and Human Rights Outlook for 2026

London Partner Lucy Blake and Associate Joshua Kell were featured in Forward Law Review's "Business and human rights: the global landscape" article, contributing their insights on the evolving ESG and human rights regulatory environment for 2026.

January 20, 2026

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Featured in Edward Fennell's Legal Diary on EU's Scaled-Back Sustainability Reporting and Due Diligence Laws

London Partner Lucy Blake was featured in Edward Fennell's Legal Diary, where her commentary on the EU's provisional agreement to scale back sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements was recognised as "Legal Comment of the Week".

December 17, 2025

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Featured in Edward Fennell's Legal Diary on Record-High Modern Slavery Referrals

London Partner Lucy Blake was featured in Edward Fennell's Legal Diary, where her commentary on the latest Government figures revealing record-high modern slavery referrals was recognised as "Legal Comment of the Week." The figures show the number of referrals of potential victims of modern slavery received this quarter is the highest ever since the National Referral Mechanism began in 2009. Lucy's insights highlight the growing legal and commercial risks for businesses, particularly those with

November 12, 2025

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Discusses Risks for Ocean-Dependent Companies in Accounting and Business

In a recent article for Accounting and Business, Partner Lucy Blake discussed the financial and legal risks that stem from companies’ involvement in adverse environmental impacts, such as marine pollution.

September 23, 2025

Recognition

Jenner & Block Team Named Litigators of the Week Runners-Up for Landmark Human Rights Victory

Partner Jason Hipp and Associate Zoë Reinstein, in a team including Associates Christina Isnardi, Lawrence McMahon, and co-counsel Claret Vargas of the Center for Justice and Accountability, were named Runners-Up for Litigators of the Week by The American Lawyer for their exceptional advocacy defeating a motion to dismiss in a groundbreaking human rights case.

September 19, 2025

Recognition

Ambassador Keith Harper Receives Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Rights

Partner Keith Harper, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council, received Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute Lifetime Achievement Award in Human Rights at their annual Legacy Award Dinner on September 11.

September 11, 2025

News

Jenner & Block Expands Sanctions Capabilities with Return of Rachel Alpert, Former OFAC Chief Counsel

Rachel Alpert rejoins the firm after leading the Office of Foreign Assets Control legal team as part of the US Department of the Treasury. She will co-chair the National Security and Crisis and the Human Rights and Global Strategy practices, bringing extensive experience from the front lines of US sanction development, implementation, and enforcement.

September 9, 2025

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Quoted in International Bar Association Multimedia Journalist and Newscabal

Partner Lucy Blake shares insights on the rising pressure multinational companies face in managing environmental and human rights risks across global operations. In an article for International Bar Association Multimedia Journalist, Lucy highlights how “companies are increasingly under pressure to take responsibility, not just for their own operations but also for third parties in respect of human rights and environmental harms.”

July 30, 2025

Client Alerts

US Supreme Court Opens the Door to More Flexible Personal Jurisdiction Test for Foreign Defendants

The longstanding view of most courts of appeals has been that federal and state courts are bound by the same constitutional standards for the exercise of personal jurisdiction, each requiring the plaintiff to show that the defendant had sufficient “minimum contacts” with the forum. However, courts, originalist scholars, and practitioners have recently challenged this view, arguing that differences between the Fourteenth Amendment (applicable to states) and Fifth Amendment (applicable to the fede

July 24, 2025

Client Alerts

Navigating the Hazards of US Litigation: Lessons from Recent Decisions Involving Korean Companies

Notwithstanding recent political turmoil, Korean companies have been expanding into the United States at a fast clip, continuing a trend of investment beneficial to businesses in both countries.1As Korean brands increasingly become players in the US market, however, these companies also face new risks of litigation in US courtrooms. Three recent cases involving Korean companies highlight the types of legal issues that might arise when doing business in the United States and offer valuable lesson

July 8, 2025

Client Alerts

Managing Divergence in DEI Obligations Globally

Published by Dow Jones Risk Journal, June 30, 2025 and reprinted with kind permission.

July 2, 2025

Publications

Partner Lucy Blake Discusses ESG Compliance in ESG Foundation

Companies operating in the EU and UK should not let ESG compliance slide, Partner Lucy Blake and Associates Karam Jardaneh and André Nwadikwa explain why in an article for ESG Foundation.

April 16, 2025

Event

Business and Human Rights Regulatory Landscape: The Growing Divide Between Europe and the United States

Partner Lucy Blake will be speaking at the BIICL’s Business and Human Rights Regulatory Landscape event on March 18.

March 18, 2025

Client Alerts

US Supreme Court Clarifies Availability of US Forum for Victims of Foreign State Expropriation

On February 21, 2025, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Republic of Hungary v. Simon, holding that allegations of commingling of funds alone cannot satisfy the US commercial nexus requirement of the expropriation exception to foreign sovereign immunity. See Republic of Hungary v. Simon, No. 23-867, slip op. (February 21, 2025) (Slip Op.). The decision clarifies the circumstances when victims of a foreign state’s expropriation of property can seek redress in US courts. While the decision i

February 28, 2025

Client Alerts

The New ESG Landscape: What Global Companies Need to Know

Companies around the world have an increasingly delicate balancing act when considering environmental, social and governance factors—collectively referred to as “ESG”—in their business decisions. The term “ESG” has become controversial and political, with governments around the world taking divergent approaches to regulation. In the EU, companies face onerous compliance and reporting obligations on pain of significant fines. Meanwhile, in some parts of the United States, there has been a backlas

February 20, 2025

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