Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is creating a new role to address global clients' growing concerns about environmental issues and social responsibility.

New York-based partner Timothy Wilkins will serve as the U.K.-based firm's first global partner for client sustainability and will lead a team of attorneys across practice groups and spanning the firms' offices around the world.

“Both in the boardroom and the general counsel's office, there is a lot more focus on sustainability issues,” Wilkins said.