Beata Stepantchenko, associate in the regulatory and political due diligence practice, was recently seconded to the GC Washington, DC office. Beata's focus while in DC was to strengthen her policy knowledge in human rights and supply chains while expanding her network with the think tank community. 

Read more from Beata on her trip and how she’s using what she learnt now back in the UK:

🇺🇸 Highlight from Washington, DC: Incredibly interesting conversations with think tanks regarding the US stance on mandatory human rights due diligence and the UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act).

⌚ I spent my time: Discussing the progression of the CSDDD and the EU Forced Labour Act, alongside the UK's efforts to extend their own process with the Modern Slavery Act. Gathering information concerning the emerging risks that US companies may face with the growing prevalence of mandatory and voluntary human rights regulations on a global scale.

⚾ GC Washington, DC office perk: Doing typical American tourist things with my DC colleagues, like going to see a baseball game (and catching the ball!) and eating at the Cheesecake Factory. And of course, being just a few blocks away from the White House. 

“Spending a month working in Washington, DC has strengthened my knowledge of the contrasting approaches to human rights and supply chain policy between the US, UK, and EU and how to articulate these differences with global audiences. It has also deepened my understanding of the concerns held by businesses and industries in the US. I look forward to discussing this further with clients now that I’m back in London.”