Partner
Freshfields
London
A significant matter I’ve worked on
Freshfields is the global coordinating defence counsel for the Volkswagen Group in relation to legal issues involving the emissions of various diesel vehicles. The original litigation – launched in 2015 – became one of the largest ever mass claims in England and Wales. And I was in the thick of it from day one! It was hugely exciting and very satisfying to see the litigation through from beginning to end. But it was also very challenging: there was no blueprint for the settlement of a case of this scale and complexity and so there were inevitably moments where we needed to find creative and novel solutions to issues no-one would have encountered before.
Advice I’d give to my 25-year-old self
Lean into the discomfort. Whenever you feel like you’re being pushed out of your comfort zone, resist the urge to walk away and instead walk into it. I realised some years ago that I was going to have to force myself to not let that immediate feeling of wanting to self-select away get the better of me. That’s become a lot easier with time because I now have a bank of positive experiences to draw upon which, of course, I didn’t have at the early stage of my career. I also have a much stronger support network; I have people around me who I can speak openly with and express any feelings of self-doubt and it’s hugely useful to hear their words of support and encouragement in those moments.
If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d probably be…
An artist! I’m still planning to go to art school as an old lady when I retire from Freshfields.
What’s next in ESG/sustainability law?
That’s the million-dollar question. While there have been some recent losses for claimants, I don’t think climate change litigation is going away any time soon. I continue to advise several high-profile clients on climate change litigation risk and demand is no longer just from clients in the energy sector: increasingly we’re seeing FIG and tech clients seeking advice on climate change legal risk. There’s not a week that passes by now when I’m not advising on these issues.
A pivotal decision I’ve made
To stick it out – there were so many moments where I could have self-selected away and I’m so glad that I didn’t. I really enjoy my job, but it took quite a lot for me to get comfortable with having ambition. Growing up, that is just not the example I had – work was a means to an end, it wasn’t something to be enjoyed, and the concept of a ‘career’ was entirely alien. So, although it sounds a bit basic, I’m really proud that I decided to stick it out.
References
“Cat is a hugely impressive lawyer with extensive expertise in ESG and sustainability disputes. Her career path has been stellar and all the more remarkable given the complexities of life she has navigated along the way. I have had the good fortune to work closely with Cat on the Colombian farmers dispute and the VW emissions litigation. She is intellectually rigorous and acutely attuned to the commercial sensitivities affecting her clients. She is also a well-regarded speaker in this arena, sharing insights on ESG-related developments. Cat is a standout partner and richly deserves recognition as a leader in this field.” Kathleen Donnelly KC, barrister at Henderson Chambers
“Cat brings a rare combination of technical excellence, strategic insight and personal drive to her work. She thrives on complex and evolving challenges – from climate litigation to human rights disputes – and approaches them with creativity, clarity and purpose. Her ability to lead on matters that break new legal ground sets her apart. Beyond her client work, Cat has also played a pivotal role in driving forward the firm’s social mobility agenda. She brings the same energy and commitment to inclusion as she does to her legal practice: she doesn’t wait for change – she makes it happen.” Simon Duncombe, partner at Freshfields
A partner in Freshfields’ dispute resolution team and co-lead of its global ESG Risk & Advisory group, Cat Greenwood-Smith advises leading global businesses on navigating complex ESG-related disputes and embedding sustainable and responsible practices.
She has acted in landmark group litigation before the English High Court concerning alleged human rights and environmental harms, guided clients through complex OECD and UN complaints processes, and helped multinational businesses respond to evolving global standards.
Her practice spans sustainability-linked regulation, greenwashing risk, climate litigation strategy and ESG disputes. Recent mandates include work for global energy, mining and technology companies on issues involving carbon capture, data ethics, human rights allegations and environmental accountability.
E: cat.greenwood-smith@freshfields.com
T: + 44 20 7716 4870