ESG
At TFRA, environmental, social and governance responsibility is part of our DNA: it is a daily practice that is reflected in the way we advise our clients.
Our commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors begins in-house. We believe that the way we work, organise ourselves and engage with the community should reflect the same standards of rigour, ethics and responsibility that we demand of ourselves and that we place at the service of our clients.
Governance and culture
TFRA is a multidisciplinary firm that bases its operations on strict compliance with the profession’s ethical standards and a clear separation between legal and non-legal activities. This culture of responsible governance translates into transparent decision-making processes and a commitment to independence and integrity at every stage of service delivery.
The quality of the service we provide begins with valuing the people who make up TFRA. We are committed to the continuous training of our professionals, encouraging the ongoing updating of knowledge and the development of technical and personal skills, as well as the sharing of experience across generations, and we promote working conditions that foster a balance between professional and personal life, in an environment of collaboration, respect and responsibility.
Environment
TFRA’s environmental commitment goes beyond mere intentions, translating into concrete measures, adopted progressively and in line with the scale of our operations.
We reduce waste and plastic
Since 2010, we have had filtered water in the office, eliminating the need for plastic bottles, and we have been progressively implementing a zero-plastic policy in our day-to-day operations. Waste separation and recycling are integrated into office routines...
We are committed to energy efficiency
We have progressively replaced equipment with more efficient solutions and adopted smart lighting systems, reducing energy consumption and the carbon footprint associated with office operations.
We are reducing emissions associated with travel
We have been reducing journeys by private car, favouring solutions that reduce CO₂ emissions, as part of an ongoing effort towards more responsible mobility.
We prioritise digital solutions
Our preference for digital processes and the reduction in paper consumption form part of a set of practices that we view as a commitment to continuous improvement, rather than an end in itself.
Pro Bono and social responsibility
Aware of the social context in which it operates, TFRA plays an active role in promoting access to the law and justice. Through its Pro Bono programme, it provides free legal advice to charitable organisations and entities that carry out projects with a significant impact on the communities in which they operate.
This commitment is a direct expression of the social pillar of ESG at TFRA: by placing its legal expertise at the service of causes of public interest, the firm contributes to the defence of fundamental rights, to inclusion and to the strengthening of social cohesion, whilst involving its professionals in projects with a strong human dimension, deepening their sense of individual and collective responsibility...
For over 20 years, TFRA has been collaborating with Operação Nariz Vermelho, a private social solidarity organisation whose mission is to bring joy to hospitalised children, their families and hospital staff through the art and character of the Clown Doctor. TFRA provides pro bono legal support, contributing to the sustainability and development of its activities — a project we recognise as an integral part of our identity and of how we understand the social role of the legal profession.
People, culture and community
TFRA’s recruitment and talent development policy is based on the idea that a sustainable firm is one that can attract, train and retain motivated individuals who are self-driven and aligned with the organisation’s values. Our commitment to internal training programmes, career progression opportunities and exposure to international contexts strengthens our teams’ ability to respond to the growing challenges faced by clients and the regulatory environment.
In addition to the technical aspect, we encourage our professionals to participate in social, academic and cultural initiatives, as well as in research projects and the sharing of legal knowledge. In this way, TFRA seeks to contribute to a legal and business ecosystem that is better informed, more responsible and more mindful of the long-term impact of its decisions.
ESG in the way we advise
TFRA’s experience in areas such as real estate, urban planning, tourism, and labour, corporate and regulatory law enables us to integrate ESG concerns into the advice we provide to domestic and international clients. In every transaction, we analyse the legal, regulatory and reputational risks, helping companies, investors and managers to incorporate environmental, social and governance criteria into their decisions.
This expertise is particularly relevant in real estate investment. As regular advisers to investment funds and developers, we closely monitor how ESG criteria have come to influence capital raising, access to finance and the valuation of the assets themselves... We support our clients in incorporating these criteria throughout the investment cycle, from structuring and due diligence to contracting and asset management, whilst remaining mindful of the applicable regulatory framework, particularly regarding the disclosure of sustainability information and sustainable finance.
From designing investment structures to negotiating contracts, from defining internal policies to assessing impacts on workers and communities, we strive to ensure that our own commitment to ESG is reflected in the way we advise clients. The aim is simple: legally sound, ethically responsible and sustainable solutions over time.
An evolving commitment
TFRA’s journey in the area of ESG is not yet complete – and that is how we see it. The measures we are adopting today form the basis of a journey of continuous improvement, with new targets to be set and action plans underway across the three dimensions of environmental, social and governance. We are committed to pursuing this journey consistently and transparently, confident that true responsibility is demonstrated through continuity, not a single gesture.