Business & Human Rights Lawyers Association
A global platform that inspires and advances Business & Human Rights leadership & learning
We inspire leadership, learning, collaboration and practices among commercial law firms and business lawyers around the world.
UNGP 01 PROTECT
UNGP 02 RESPECT
UNGP 03 REMEDY
FOUNDED BY EXPERTs IN BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
WHO WE ARE
Collaborating to advance respect for human rights in commercial legal practice
Law firms and business lawyers around the world recognise both their and their clients’ responsibility to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights - and integrate this responsibility into their client services across commercial legal areas, operations, and other activities.
About Us→why join BHRLA
Benefits of membership
Participate in training and capacity-building opportunities targeted to the needs of commercial lawyers specialising in diverse areas of practice
Learn the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Essential for commercial lawyers- Understand how business and human rights developments are affecting commercial clients
- Build confidence discussing human rights with clients and applying UNGPs and relevant standards in practice
Exchange insights, approaches, challenges, and perspectives with peers from law firms worldwide in a trusted environment
- Discuss and share real-life strategies for integrating respect for human rights within a commercial law firm
- Reflect on and share perspectives regarding the legal and practical implications of key developments
- Join ‘accelerator groups’ to deepen expertise and explore how cutting-edge developments impact your practice area
Inspire and support commercial lawyers’ engagement with business and human rights as a cross-cutting area of practice.
- Share examples of leading practices and approaches, along with insights and learnings
- Understand how business and human rights developments are affecting commercial clients.
- Host an annual conference to spark discussion and exchange on emerging developments and key issues
Become a member
Membership of the Association is limited to commercial law firms and individual lawyers advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights
Members acknowledge the business responsibility to respect human rights in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (“UNGPs”) and commit to engaging with the BHRLA on their efforts in this regard, for example: establishment of practice groups dedicated to providing human rights and related advice; adoption of specific human rights policies and procedures; external human rights-related communications; and internal BHR education and training efforts.
INDIVIDUAL
£120 year
Open to individual lawyers advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Inc VAT)
Exclusive members only content- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
SMALL FIRMS
£500 year
Open to small law firms advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Ex VAT)
- For firms with up to 50 members
- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
MEDIUM FIRMS
£1000 year
Open to medium law firms advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Ex VAT)
- For firms with up to 200 members
- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
LARGE FIRMS
£3000 year
Open to large law firms advising business enterprises in the area of business and human rights (Ex VAT)
- For firms with over 200 members
- Access to Association activities
- Events, communities & programs
There is a need to accelerate the dissemination of good practice in the field of business and human rights across the commercial legal profession globally. We encourage lawyers around the world to join and support the association's ambitions.
stay up-to-date
The latest news and updates from the world of Business and Human Rights
Event Summary
Perspectives on the Omnibus Simplification Package and the Future of EU Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence and Reporting Directives
18 June 2025
Hosted by BHRLA
Discussants:
Martijn Scheltema, Partner, Pels Rijcken; Board Member, BHRLA
Gabrielle Holly, Chief Adviser of Human Rights and Tech and Business, Danish Institute for Human Rights
Heidi Hautala, former Vice-President, European Parliament
Event Summary
FINDING THE THROUGHLINE: How In House Counsel Are Managing Diverging Expectations of Business
21 May 2025
Hosted by BHRLA
Discussants:
Emily Holland, Counsel, Simpson Thatcher
Peter Nestor, Global Head of Human Rights, Novartis
Amy Lehr, Assistant General Counsel for Human Rights and Sustainability, Mars
stay up-to-date
The latest news, events, and updates from BHRLA
Event Summary
Perspectives on the Omnibus Simplification Package and the Future of EU Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence and Reporting Directives
18 June 2025
Hosted by BHRLA
Discussants:
Martijn Scheltema, Partner, Pels Rijcken; Board Member, BHRLA
Gabrielle Holly, Chief Adviser of Human Rights and Tech and Business, Danish Institute for Human Rights
Heidi Hautala, former Vice-President, European Parliament
Event Summary
FINDING THE THROUGHLINE: How In House Counsel Are Managing Diverging Expectations of Business
21 May 2025
Hosted by BHRLA
Discussants:
Emily Holland, Counsel, Simpson Thatcher
Peter Nestor, Global Head of Human Rights, Novartis
Amy Lehr, Assistant General Counsel for Human Rights and Sustainability, Mars
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