Sustainability in Business and in Law

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Colin Myers

Associate, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Class of 2021
JD / MBA - focused on Environmental Law and Sustainability

Member Of: Pace Environmental Law Review, Pace Sustainable Business Club

Meet Colin Meyer, a student enrolled in our JD/MBA combined program. Colin began this program in 2017 and attended Pace’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law, where he completed his JD within two years. This is his first semester as an MBA student on our New York City Campus and he is already taking the business world by storm. This Eagle Scout is a Graduate Assistant, a Compliance Analyst at an advising firm, and a volunteer Legal Intern at a clean energy investment firm. Additionally, he is working with Lubin Professor Steven Mezzio on starting the Pace Sustainability Business Club. Colin has combined both his studies in law and business administration in a closely integrated curriculum that he focused on environmental studies and sustainability. We talked to him about his motivation for working hard and how he manages his time.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business to advance your business education?

I chose Pace because of the law school’s top tier ranking in environmental law and its proximity to New York City. Additionally, I come from a Pace family. Both my father and my sister attended Pace!

What value have you found in tackling sustainability from both a business and legal point of view.

While studying law the past two years, I realized the importance of understanding how businesses function and what internal factors drive their decision-making. Having this understanding will allow me to better be able to advise business clients on legal risks and opportunities. This dual understanding is particularly important in the sustainability realm. With the impending dangers of climate change, business managers must figure out how to stay profitable while risks are increasing and the world transitions into a low carbon economy. This dual program allows me to understand the ever-expanding regulatory framework around climate change and how it impacts businesses, but also what financial strategies can be used to reduce risk, remain profitable, and most importantly, positively contribute to society.

While studying law the past two years, I realized the importance of understanding how businesses function and what internal factors drive their decision-making. Having this understanding will allow me to better be able to advise business clients on legal risks and opportunities. This dual understanding is particularly important in the sustainability realm.

You are working on starting Pace’s Sustainable Business Club as a student organization. Tell us a bit about that project.

When I transitioned to Lubin, I a noticed the lack of a sustainability curriculum despite the prevalence of this topic in the business world today. I discussed this with Dean Neil Braun and he suggested that I meet with Professor Steven Mezzio, a former PwC Partner that specializes in business-related sustainability. Our conversation led to our decision to found the Sustainable Business Club. This club will differ from and be complementary to the other environmentally-focused student organizations on campus. It will focus specifically on the role, responsibilities, and impact public and private companies have on delivering and reporting traditional financial results, while at the same time prioritize positive environmental, social, and governance impacts for society. As a club, we will explore and understand business-related sustainability trends, impacts, and reporting practices, and serve as a learning hub, supporting thesis research and professional skills development. We will also facilitate networking and career options for students in the area of sustainability and collaborate to convene thought leaders, practitioners, regulators, influencers, academics, recruiters, and students to contribute to the dialogue on sustainable business.

What motivates you to work hard?

My motivation stems from knowing that I’m not where I want to be yet. This chip on my shoulder motivates me to work harder to achieve high grades, take on as many relevant jobs as I can handle, and constantly network. After graduation, I would ideally like to end up in the sustainability and climate change practice/service group of one of the Big Four or other consulting firms, or at a big law firm. Later down the road, I may want to transition to the public sector because being a part of the Boy Scouts instilled a sense of public duty in me.

You have a heavy class load, you are a graduate assistant, and you also have two jobs. Do you have any advice on time management skills?

Prioritization and using the weekend as an extension of your work week – both are essential. I find it very helpful to take some time at the beginning of the week to look at deadlines and prioritize the things that are due soon, as well as the work you may find challenging or time consuming. This helps prevent work from sneaking up on you at the last second. Additionally, by getting as much work done on the weekend as I can, it helps make my week a little less stressful and actually allows me to do better work because I am usually more well-rested. I am also a big proponent of meal prepping healthy food on Sundays. It saves me time during the week and also helps my brain fire on all cylinders during the week because of good nutrients. Although using weekends for schoolwork might not be very fun, it definitely pays off and provides dividends in the long run.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

To me, #LubinLife means excelling in the business world, as well as leveraging the great network and location that our community is exposed to.