This paper discusses the practical implications of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights2—particularly the business responsibility to respect human rights—for lawyers who advise companies on corporate governance and risk management...Lawyers who advise companies must become familiar with the UN Guiding Principles, in order to help their corporate clients achieve their business goals without adversely infringing on human rights. Without in any way derogating from the primary role of states in protecting individuals against human rights abuse by private actors, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights establishes a globally authoritative process standard on how companies should manage their business with respect for human rights, and requires companies to know and show that they are doing so. [refers to Shell]