Lawyers and campaigners staged a climate protest outside the London offices of A&O Shearman and Akin on Wednesday as staff arrived for work.

Representatives from a coalition of groups including Lawyers are Responsible and Fossil Free London held portraits of people across the world whose homes and lives have been devastated by floods and fires due to climate breakdown.

The groups allege that both A&O Shearman and Akin make millions from climate and ecological catastrophe by enabling the operations of some of the world’s most polluting and destructive companies.

Joanna Warrington, campaigner at Fossil Free London, said: 'Standing outside London’s top legal firms, justice is nowhere to be seen. Lawyers here are raking in millions by defending the corporations wrecking our planet. They’re not just complicit—they’re profiting from climate disaster while the world’s most vulnerable pay the price.'

Monika Sobiecki from Lawyers Are Responsible said: 'As lawyers, we all value the rule of law in ensuring that we have a fair, stable and prosperous society. In a world devastated by climate chaos, there is a serious risk to the rule of law. Yet these firms, by continuing to work with fossil fuel companies, are accelerating us further along the path of climate collapse. That must change.'

A&O Shearman declined to comment. Akin has been approached for comment.

 

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