SME Sustainability Story: id est avocats

Businesses are increasingly held accountable for their environmental and social impact, and instead of just looking at their own operations, this boutique law firm is advising clients on their ESG and impact-related legal matters. With a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and ethical business practices, id est avocats are proving that purpose and profit can and should go hand in hand for any SME (small- and medium-sized enterprise).

Who is id est avocats?

Id est avocats is a forward-thinking, independent boutique law firm that assists innovative businesses, successful entrepreneurs, sophisticated investors, and global brands in navigating today's complex world. 

"Our vision is to become a champion in advocating for responsible and sustainable business practices, with a focus on innovation and technologies that can have an impact."

More than just words, this vision actively shapes how the firm operates, from its internal strategies to the clients it chooses to work with.

Embedding Sustainability in Daily Practice

The firm's commitment to sustainability is not a side project, but deeply integrated into its everyday operations and strategic direction. This intentional approach has led id est avocats to make conscious, sometimes bold, decisions in pursuit of long-term positive impact.

Such choices include:

• Implementing a client exclusion list

• Upskilling their team

• Prioritizing innovation with a positive impact

This strategic approach has positioned the SME to now assist more than twenty clients across various industries and company sizes on ESG and impact-related legal matters. A number they aim to double within the next three years, thereby further expanding their contribution to responsible business practices and sustainable growth, case by case.

Why id est advocats joined the UN Global Compact

"As a certified B Corp and the only Swiss member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, joining the UN Global Compact was an obvious decision."

Beyond the framework for responsible business conduct, which id est avocats greatly appreciates, they see the provided access to a dynamic community of like-minded companies as the UN Global Compact's strongest offering. In their opinion, the community offers not only a fostering of valuable exchanges but also mutual support. This collaborative environment has been particularly beneficial to the SME in its sustainability efforts.

Advice for other SMEs

Id est avocats' advice begins at the first and most important step: to embed sustainability into the core business strategy rather than treating it as a separate initiative or marketing effort.

They further advocate to:

• Align with established frameworks such as the UN Global Compact to guide your efforts.

• Focus on modest and measurable impacts, ensuring sustainability is both a value-driven and business-smart decision.

• Become bolder in efforts over time.

• Engage stakeholders, from employees to clients, to create meaningful change.

• Maintain transparency and accountability to strengthen trust and ensure long-term success.

Conclusion

Id est avocats exemplify how even a small firm can drive outsized impact when purpose is placed at the heart of a business. By making principled decisions, aligning with global frameworks, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, they are shaping the future of legal services. One that champions sustainability, ethics, and meaningful progress.

As they continue to grow their ESG-focused client base and amplify their voice in the global sustainability community, id est advocats shows how SMEs can lead by example and help create a more just and sustainable world. We are proud to have id est avocats as a participant of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein, and look forward to continuing to support them in their sustainability journey and watch their impact grow even further.

If you are an SME and interested in inspiring fellow SMEs with your sustainability success story, do not hesitate to contact our Sustainability Advisor via email: fabio.gfeller@globalcompact.ch.

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Disclaimer: The SME Stories are intended strictly for learning purposes and do not constitute an endorsement of the individual companies. Unless otherwise indicated, the content is not intended to reflect the official positions, views or opinions of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The case study does not make any assessment of whether the companies presented fully align with the UN Global Compact Ten Principles. The aim is rather to demonstrate the feasibility of sustainability management and to offer SMEs suggestions for their own implementation.

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