Josh Lichtenstein Comments on ESG Impact on Investing

The practice of considering environmental, social and governance, or ESG, risk has gained mainstream traction over the past two decades – in some quarters, it’s almost routine. Some Republican officials have shared arguments against the “woke” investing, with a dozen states enacting bills or issuing advisories restricting ESG investing for public pension funds and other public money. The backlash worries asset owners and managers because limiting the considerations that go into selecting a sound investment strategy doesn’t allow for a full evaluation of value creation.

Josh Lichtenstein, partner and head of the firm’s ERISA and fiduciary benefits practice, told Crain’s Chicago Business that, “It’s not easy to walk the line. Everything you do risks angering one group or the other.”