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Environmental
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August 05, 2024
Former Refiner Can't Dodge Polluted Water Remedy
A Virgin Islands oil refinery that spewed oil onto neighbors' properties has lost its Third Circuit challenge to a court-ordered program that required it to buy bottled water for residents too poor to buy it themselves.
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August 05, 2024
Washington, Tribes Back EPA's Health Criteria For The State
The state of Washington and five Native American tribes have argued that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rightly restored more than 140 human health criteria aimed at protecting the state's residents from toxic pollutants, urging a D.C. federal judge to reject several business groups' attempt to overturn the agency's rule.
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August 05, 2024
El Paso Inks Deal Over NM Agency's $1.3M Sewage Dump Fine
An El Paso, Texas, water utility is moving to end a lawsuit against the New Mexico Environment Department that challenged two compliance orders and a nearly $1.3 million penalty imposed against it over sewage diversions into the Rio Grande.
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August 05, 2024
Transportation Policies To Watch: Midyear 2024 Review
Rail and aviation safety reforms following recent incidents, stricter vehicle emission standards guiding automakers' gradual pivot to electrification, and the integration of new automation and drone technology are some of the transportation industry's top regulatory priorities to watch in the second half of 2024.
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August 05, 2024
Pennsylvania Legislation To Watch In 2024: A Midyear Report
The Pennsylvania Legislature is following other jurisdictions striving to make social media safer while preserving free speech, and putting stricter limits on "forever chemicals" that had been widely used in firefighting applications and products for resisting stains and stickiness. Here, Law360 looks at some of the Pennsylvania bills attorneys are watching in 2024.
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August 05, 2024
9th Circ. Denies Rehearing Bid In ESA Fish Protection Suit
The Ninth Circuit denied conservation groups' request to rehear a ruling affirming the federal government's approval of water supply contracts for the Central Valley Project in California.
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August 05, 2024
PE Firms Carlyle, Quantum Ink $3B Deal For US Power Co.
Houston-based Quantum Capital Group said Monday it has agreed to purchase Cogentrix Energy, a U.S. independent power producer, from Carlyle for about $3 billion.
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August 02, 2024
Hawaii Inks $4B Maui Wildfires Deal Ahead Of Anniversary
The state of Hawaii, Charter Communications and the state's largest utility have agreed to shell out $4 billion to resolve hundreds of lawsuits lodged after a deadly wildfire broke out in Maui nearly a year ago, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced on Friday.
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August 02, 2024
BigLaw Insurer Calls FirstEnergy Ruling Threat To Privilege
The Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce threw their support Friday behind FirstEnergy's call for the Sixth Circuit to block investors' access to internal investigative documents produced by two BigLaw firms after a $1 billion bribery scandal became public.
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August 02, 2024
Glancy Prongay To Rep Investors In Landslide Risks Suit
Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP will represent a proposed class of investors in consolidated litigation alleging a Colorado-based mining company's unsafe practices precipitated a landslide, hurting investors when its trading prices dropped.
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August 02, 2024
Iowa, ND Move For Win In NEPA Rule Fight
States led by Iowa and North Dakota are asking a federal judge to scrap a Council on Environmental Quality rule they say threatens to turn the National Environmental Policy Act into an "action-forcing" process to advance the Biden administration's climate and environmental justice goals.
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August 02, 2024
Pa. AG Wants More From Feds' Norfolk Southern Settlement
Pennsylvania's attorney general was concerned Friday that a proposed $310 million settlement with Norfolk Southern Railway — intended to cover the cleanup costs, civil penalties and community health concerns after a fiery 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio — did not go far enough in making the railroad pay for healthcare costs or implement safety upgrades.
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August 02, 2024
Wolverine, Travelers Drop Coverage Claims Over PFAS Suits
Footwear company Wolverine and various Travelers units have agreed to end their coverage battle over underlying lawsuits accusing the company of injuring individuals through its leather tannery operations and exposing individuals to so-called forever chemicals, the parties told a Michigan federal court.
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August 02, 2024
Challengers To Ga. Utility Panel Elections Want Another Shot
The plaintiffs behind a lawsuit that initially succeeded in challenging the allegedly discriminatory method for electing Georgia's Public Service Commission on Thursday asked a federal judge for permission to amend their complaint after the Eleventh Circuit refused to revisit an earlier panel decision upholding the electoral system.
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August 02, 2024
Paper Cos. Challenge Superfund Liability At 6th Circ.
International Paper Co. and Weyerhaeuser Co. on Thursday asked the Sixth Circuit to reverse a Michigan federal judge who found that they can be sued for future cleanup costs of a Michigan Superfund site.
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August 02, 2024
Navajo Restrict Radioactive Transport On Reservation Lands
For the next six months, no radioactive material can be transported across the Navajo Nation's reservation without prior agreement with the country's largest federally recognized tribe, according to an executive order signed by President Buu Nygren.
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August 02, 2024
8th Circ. Says Mining Co. Can't Escape Peruvians' Claims
The Eighth Circuit refused to overturn a ruling greenlighting litigation filed by more than 1,400 Peruvian nationals against U.S. billionaire Ira Rennert and his holding company The Renco Group seeking to hold them liable for alleged lead poisoning tied to a smelting and refining complex in rural Peru.
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August 02, 2024
Mich. AG Says Enbridge 6th Circ. Rehearing Bid Is Meritless
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is fighting Enbridge Energy's bid for a full Sixth Circuit rehearing on a decision to send a challenge to its Line 5 pipeline back to state court, saying none of the company's arguments against remand are viable.
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August 02, 2024
Former ABA President, Maynard Cooper Founder, Dies At 74
Alabama lawyer H. Thomas "Tommy" Wells Jr., the 2008-2009 American Bar Association president and founder of one of the firms that merged to create Maynard Cooper & Gale PC, died Wednesday. He was 74.
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August 02, 2024
SEC Narrows Its Rulemaking Focus As Election Looms
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's aggressive rulemaking spree is showing signs of dwindling as November elections loom, although several proposals could be primed for autumn votes if regulators wish to tackle hot-button topics.
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August 02, 2024
Tribes Seek Commission's Help On Canada Mining Policy
A consortium of southeast Alaska tribes is urging the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to call on Canada and British Columbia to formally consult and obtain their "free, prior and informed consent" ahead of looming permitting decisions for the Eskay Creek gold mine.
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August 02, 2024
Taxation With Representation: Sullivan, Dechert, Kirkland
In this week's Taxation With Representation, BNP Parabis SA acquires an investment management subsidiary for €5.1 billion, Cleveland accounting firm CBIZ merges with competitor Marcum for $2.3 billion, and Arcosa Inc. inks a deal with a family-owned construction materials business for $1.2 billion.
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August 02, 2024
UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London
This past week in London has seen insurance broker Marsh sue the collapsed Greensill Bank, the former chair of the Islamic Students Association of Britain pursue a defamation case against the Jewish Chronicle, Berkshire Hathaway and Lloyd's face action from a shipping company, and alleged fraudster Ronald Bauer hit a loan company with a claim. Here, Law360 looks at these and other new claims in the U.K.
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August 02, 2024
Iberdrola To Buy 88% Of UK Electric Power Co. In $5.5B Deal
Spanish electric utility company Iberdrola said Friday it plans to buy 88% of Electricity North West in a deal that values the British electric power network at roughly €5 billion ($5.5 billion), including debt.
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August 01, 2024
Toyota Accused Of Blocking Rival Hydrogen Fueling Station
Owners of hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirais are suing the automaker, claiming in a proposed class action that Toyota blacklisted a California State University fuel station and has its "boot on the necks" of other hydrogen pump operators in the state.
Expert Analysis
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Updated Federal Rules Can Improve Product Liability MDLs
The recent amendment of a federal evidence rule regarding expert testimony and the proposal of a civil rule on managing early discovery in multidistrict legislation hold great promise for promoting the uniform and efficient processes that high-stakes product liability cases particularly need, say Alan Klein and William Heaston at Duane Morris.
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Lean Into The 'Great Restoration' To Retain Legal Talent
As the “great resignation,” in which employees voluntarily left their jobs in droves, has largely dissipated, legal employers should now work toward the idea of a “great restoration,” adopting strategies to effectively hire, onboard and retain top legal talent, says Molly McGrath at Hiring & Empowering Solutions.
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Adopting 7 Principles May Improve Voluntary Carbon Markets
The Biden administration's recently issued joint policy statement on improving the integrity of voluntary carbon markets may help companies using carbon credits to offset their emissions withstand scrutiny by government agencies, the public and investors, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.
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EU Directive Significantly Strengthens Enviro Protection
The recently revised European Union directive on environmental protection significantly strengthens its prior legislation and broadens the scope of environmental crime through the introduction of offenses for conduct resulting in severe damage, say Katharina Humphrey and Julian Reichert at Gibson Dunn.
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How Act 126 Will Jump-Start Lithium Production In Louisiana
Louisiana's recent passage of Act 126, which helps create a legal and regulatory framework for lithium brine production and direct lithium extraction in the state, should help bolster the U.S. supply of this key mineral, and contribute to increased energy independence for the nation, say Marjorie McKeithen and Justin Marocco at Jones Walker.
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Legal Battles Show Brands' Dilemma In Luxury Resale Trend
Recent litigation, such as Chanel's pending case against The RealReal, underscores the intricate balance luxury brands must strike between protecting their trademarks and embracing the burgeoning secondhand market that values sustainability, says Prachi Ajmera at Michelman & Robinson.
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Why Jurors Balk At 'I Don't Recall' — And How To Respond
Jurors often react negatively to a witness who responds “I don’t remember” because they tend to hold erroneous beliefs about the nature of human memory, but attorneys can adopt a few strategies to mitigate the impact of these biases, say Steve Wood and Ava Hernández at Courtroom Sciences.
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How Federal And State Microfiber Pollution Policy Is Evolving
Growing efforts to address synthetic microfiber pollution may create compliance and litigation issues for businesses in the textile and apparel industries, so companies should track developing federal and state legislation and regulation in this space, and should consider associated greenwashing risks, says Arie Feltman-Frank at Jenner & Block.
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An Insurance Coverage Checklist For PFAS Defendants
With PFAS liability exposures attracting increased media attention, now is a good time for companies that could be exposed to liability related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to review existing and past insurance policies, and consider taking proactive steps to maximize their likelihood of coverage, say attorneys at Nossaman.
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Series
Fishing Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Atop the list of ways fishing makes me a better lawyer is the relief it offers from the chronic stress of a demanding caseload, but it has also improved my listening skills and patience, and has served as an exceptional setting for building earnest relationships, says Steven DeGeorge at Robinson Bradshaw.
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10 Tips To Build Trust With Your Witness During Trial Prep
Preparing a witness for deposition or trial requires more than just legal skills — lawyers must also work to cultivate trust with the witness, using strategies ranging from wearing a hat when conducting mock cross-examination to offering them a ride to court before they testify, say Faye Paul Teller and Sara McDermott at Munger Tolles.
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Opinion
It's Time To Defuse The Ticking Time Bomb Of US Landfills
After recent fires at landfills in Alabama and California sent toxic fumes into surrounding communities, it is clear that existing penalties for landfill mismanagement are insufficient — so policymakers must enact major changes to the way we dispose of solid waste, says Vineet Dubey at Custodio & Dubey.
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A Healthier Legal Industry Starts With Emotional Intelligence
The legal profession has long been plagued by high rates of mental health issues, in part due to attorneys’ early training and broader societal stereotypes — but developing one’s emotional intelligence is one way to foster positive change, collectively and individually, says attorney Esperanza Franco.
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To Make Your Legal Writing Clear, Emulate A Master Chef
To deliver clear and effective written advocacy, lawyers should follow the model of a fine dining chef — seasoning a foundation of pure facts with punchy descriptors, spicing it up with analogies, refining the recipe and trimming the fat — thus catering to a sophisticated audience of decision-makers, says Reuben Guttman at Guttman Buschner.
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EPA Heavy-Duty Vehicle GHG Rules Face Bumpy Road Ahead
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's new standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for owners and operators of heavy-duty vehicles are facing opposition from both states and the transportation industry, and their arguments will mirror two pending cases challenging the EPA's authority, says Grant Laizer at Adams and Reese.