Overview

Sofia is an expert in her field and cares very much about us as a client, and as individuals who work with her.” - Chambers Crisis & Risk Management (ESG) 2023

Sofia is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and member of the Firm’s ESG & Impact Practice Group, which advises some of the world’s most sophisticated and dynamic private equity firms, corporations, and project sponsors and lenders on complex and evolving legal issues relating to ESG and climate-related regulatory requirements, investor demands, strategic opportunities, and voluntary reporting frameworks and coalitions.

Sofia’s practice focuses largely on social and governance issues. She leads Kirkland’s DEI strategic services, advising clients on emerging legal developments, risk assessments, and risk mitigation strategies related to DEI. She also counsels clients on ESG and DEI disclosures in sustainability reports, proxy statements and annual reports, which includes advising on regulatory requirements, international disclosure trends, and industry best practices. Her experience advising on governance matters includes assessments of ESG programs and disclosures, board and management governance counseling through presentations and trainings, and shareholder activism defense. She helps clients to identify opportunities to tailor their ESG programs to their particular goals while mitigating legal and reputational risks, including developing strategies for integrating ESG into larger business and governance practices.

Sofia builds upon her experience in U.S. securities law to advise public and private companies on recent and emerging ESG regulatory developments, such as proposed and anticipated U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules related to climate risk and human capital, including workforce diversity and corporate board diversity.

Prior to focusing on ESG full time, Sofia spent over a decade working on cross-border capital markets matters across Latin America, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Japan while based in New York, London, and Tokyo. She uses this international lens to stay abreast of global regulatory developments and trends related to ESG. Sofia has represented companies across a range of industries, including technology and energy companies, as well as financial institutions.

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Thought Leadership

Publications

Author, “Supreme Court Issues Decision Overturning Affirmative Action in Higher Education,” Kirkland Alert, June 30, 2023

Author, “ISSB Releases Final Global Sustainability Disclosure Standards,” Kirkland Alert, June 29, 2023

Author, “The Major Questions Doctrine Reigns Supreme in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency — Implications for Climate Policy and Impact Investing,Kirkland Alert, July 6, 2022

Author, “SEC Proposes New Climate Disclosure Requirements,Kirkland Alert, March 24, 2022

Author, “Recent Trends and Developments in Corporate Environmental Social Governance,” LexisNexis Practical Guidance, November 1, 2021

Author, “SEC Responds to Investor Demand for Climate Risk, Human Capital Management Disclosures,Kirkland & Ellis Energy & Infrastructure Blog, October 7, 2021

Author, “Preparing for Potential Updates to Human Capital Management & Board Diversity Disclosure Requirements,” Kirkland Alert, October 1, 2021

Author, “The SEC’s Recent and Planned Activity on Climate Change Disclosures: What Companies Can Do To Prepare,” Kirkland Alert, October 1, 2021

Seminars

Speaker, “The New Landscape for Talent,” Aspen ESG Summit, July 2024

Speaker, “How is the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling Affecting the American Private Sector,” UN Global Compact Webinar, May 2024

Speaker, “Sustainable Investments,” SEO’s Alternative Investments Conference, March 2024

Speaker, “DEI in the Investment Management Industry—Developments and Next Steps,” IAA Compliance Conference, March 2024

Speaker, “Impact of the Supreme Court’s Anti-Affirmative Action Decision,” CFALA and LACERA Virtual DEI Conference, November 2023

Speaker, “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Learning Session: Insights on Emerging DEI Legal Risks in the U.S. for Investors,” GIIN Connect Webinar, November 2023

Speaker, “Navigating the Personal Risks of Being a Director,” Latino Corporate Directors Association Board Leaders Convening, November 2023

Speaker, “Emerging DEI Risks and Considerations for Private Markets,” PE ESG Working Group, September 2023

Speaker, “ESG: Board Oversight and Recent Developments,” Latino Corporate Directors Association, June 2023

Speaker, “Spotlight on ‘S’: Tackling and Reporting Social Issues Effectively,” IR Magazine’s ESG Integration Forum, December 2022

Speaker, “ESG Considerations in M&A,” 30th Annual Texas Minority Counsel Program, November 2022

Keynote Speaker, “DEI Champions: Driving Change, Getting Buy-in and Leveraging Success,” Driving Diversity in Law & Leadership Conference, San Francisco, October 2022

Speaker, “ESG: Everything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You,” 42nd Annual Ray Garrett Jr. Corporate & Securities Law & 61st Annual Corporate Counsel Institute, September 2022

Speaker, “Governing and Monitoring Portfolio Companies,” Responsible Investment Forum, San Francisco, September 2022

Speaker, “The Case for ESG Data: Why You Should Get Started Now,” Novata Webinar, July 2022

Recognition

“Catalysts in Law 2021,” Council of Urban Professionals

Memberships & Affiliations

Council of Urban Professionals (CUP)

Latino Corporate Director’s Association (LCDA)

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • California
  • New York

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese

Education

  • New York University School of LawJ.D.

    Articles Editor, NYU Law Review

    Furman Fellow

  • University of California, Los AngelesPh.D., History
    Fulbright and Mellon-Mays Scholar
  • Stanford UniversityB.A., International Relations & Spanishwith Departmental Honors and University Distinction