TORONTO, ONTARIO, Nov. 4, 2009 (Marketwire) -- Over the past five years, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a business buzz word. While CSR reports give companies a neat and tidy platform to showcase their good works, they should also be viewed as critical business documents. With companies now facing greater scrutiny regarding their environmental, social, and economic activities, a lack of transparency could become a huge liability. In fact, there is a solid legal rationale that has shifted CSR from being a nice-to-have to a need-to-have.

On November 4, 2009, Mr. Chip Pitts will explain why in ignoring the legal context of social responsibility, a corporation can expose itself to clear financial and legal liability. Mr. Pitts will provide a legal and ethical framework that businesses can use to move beyond the bottom line, and towards sustainability.

WHO: The Ethics Centre luncheon Speakers' Series welcomes Lecturer in Law at Stanford Law, former Chair of Amnesty International USA, and former Chief Legal Officer of Nokia, Inc., Mr. Chip Pitts.

WHAT: Mr. Pitts will examine the new CSR legal principles and how they contribute to sustainability.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Ontario Bar Association Conference Centre - 200 - 20 Toronto Street.