Bio

Heather Palmer is an award-winning environmental and energy partner who has been recognized for her work on environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) matters. Heather serves as a co-leader of the firm’s ESG and climate change practices. She plays a strategic role in advising clients on a broad range of ESG issues and related risks, including the disclosure of climate change risks in SEC filings, the review of shareholder proposals relating to ESG topics, the development of corporate ESG programs and goals, the establishment of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions reduction targets, the preparation of sustainability and corporate responsibility reports, and the sustainable sourcing of products and raw materials. Heather’s practice also focuses on environmental law, counseling clients on regulatory requirements, assisting them in the evaluation and negotiation of corporate and real estate transactions, supporting them in the development of environmental management systems (“EMS”), and advising them on environmental disclosure requirements. Her energy industry experience includes advising clients in the oil and gas, refining, chemicals, manufacturing, power, and renewables sectors on environmental compliance and the allocation of environmental liabilities in mergers and acquisitions. Heather also advises clients on carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (“CCUS”) matters. Heather has been acknowledged in numerous industry publications. She was recognized in Chambers Crisis & Risk Management for Global-wide Environmental, Social & Governance Risk (2021) and was featured in Chambers USA for Texas Environment (2006–2012, 2016–2024). The Legal 500 United States recognized her for Energy: Transactional (2015–2016) and Environment: Litigation (2014) and in Best Lawyers for Environmental Law (2009–2022). She was also awarded the “Lawyer of the Year” distinction in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for her work in Environmental Law. She was featured in Texas Super Lawyers (2010–2015, 2019-2020) and named a “Rising Star” (2006–2008). Heather was recognized as a leading lawyer by Lawdragon 3000 Leading Lawyers in the United States (2010–2011) as well as listed among the Lawdragon “Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law” (2023). She was named a “Houston Top Lawyer” by H Texas in 2007 and was named to the 2021 National Association of Corporate Directors Directorship 100 in recognition of her significant impact on boardroom practices and performance. She was also part of the Sidley team named as the winner of Financial Times’ 2021 “Innovation in Sustainability and ESG” award for its work in helping aviation and airlines industry clients reduce GHG emissions. Clients describe Heather as “a very thoughtful environmental lawyer and a good partner to have on tough deals” and commend her as “a true expert” who “understands the regulatory complexities of the oil and gas industry while also having the ability to put that into a strategic vision.” Chambers USA for Texas Environment (2020). Clients also praise her ESG work, noting that “her knowledge of how a corporation should manage environmental governance is unparalleled” and “her interpersonal skills and business acumen are incredible.” Chambers USA for Texas Environment (2021).