By GAIL North America

“I subscribe to the belief that business remains a key part of the solution to many of our global challenges and when focused on improving their impact on workers, communities and the planet- can actually become more innovative, resilient and profitable organizations.”

Navine Karim, Founder & Principal of Global Impact Law, P.C

This series by GAIL North America spotlights our members across the United States and the diverse ways they are practising impact law. Through their stories, you’ll discover how lawyers are using their skills, knowledge, and creativity to drive meaningful change, whether they work in law firms, organisations, non-profits, or as independent practitioners.

Being an impact lawyer isn’t defined by a job title or by practicing impact law full-time. It’s about a commitment: using legal expertise to create positive outcomes for people and the planet. In each installment, we’ll share how members of our community are weaving this commitment into their careers, championing justice, sustainability, and equity in ways big and small.

For this article, we hear from Navine Karim, Founder & Principal of Global Impact Law, P.C, and GAIL North America Board Member.

Describe your area of practice

My area of practice focuses on providing in-house counsel within the consumer goods, retail, natural products and media industries with sustainable brands that seek to operate as purpose-driven businesses. My company is focused on providing fractional general counsel and impact advisory services for my clients.

Please share your view on what it means to be an ‘impact lawyer’

It is an interesting question as there is no specific practice area of ‘impact law’ in the US, so I think the definition of an ‘impact lawyer’ is probably open to debate. For me, I believe lawyers have a critical role to play in maintaining the rule of law and acting as true business partners to help businesses find long term solutions to the difficult challenges they face. Currently, I would say the greatest challenges facing organizations in the US concern economic and regulatory uncertainty, the exponential growth of AI, pressures created from economic, social and political inequality and organizational risks posed by the climate crisis. In my view, an ‘impact lawyer’ is a type of lawyer that strives to create meaningful change for their clients in managing risk and promoting innovation in these critical areas.

Why do you think it is important for lawyers to think about their work from an impact perspective? 

I think lawyers have a unique and meaningful perspective to share due to their training, ethical standards and general commitment to an unbiased application of the rule of law. As organizations increasingly operate within complex social, economic and political systems, having a lawyer on the team capable of assessing the broader impact of decisions, not simply to manage litigation or avoid regulatory missteps, can have a substantial impact on a company’s long term growth. I think lawyers have a role to play and by embracing an impact perspective, we can uniquely advise our clients for success in the long run.

Briefly describe your journey as a lawyer and how you came to focus your practice on making a positive impact on people and planet?

I have always been interested in how the law can be used to promote sustainable economic development. When I was in law school, I did a joint degree in law and international development economics and spent some time working overseas in Africa and South Asia early in my career. I eventually focused my career in-house with various global brands while witnessing heightened challenges in the world caused by growing economic and social inequality and climate degradation. I subscribe to the belief that business remains a key part of the solution to many of our global challenges and when focused on improving their impact on workers, communities and the planet- can actually become more innovative, resilient and profitable organizations. This is what inspired me to start Global Impact Law and focus on providing legal and business affairs support for such businesses.

What drew you to GAIL?

I was invited to participate on a panel at GAIL’s global meeting at LSE in London and felt like I found my people. The next year I volunteered to join GAIL’s North America Regional Board.

What’s something you’re surprisingly good at that’s not on your resume? 

I started playing the drums and I love it! Unfortunately, I’m not sure I’m very good (yet) – so I’m keeping it off the resume for the time being.

Hear from Navine at the GAIL Summit 2025 in Mexico City! Get your tickets now.

Find out more about joining GAIL here.

Hear from other impact lawyers as the series continues.