Environmental

  • September 27, 2024

    EPA, Ohio Refinery Ink $169M Wastewater Cleanup Deal

    A Cenovus Energy unit has reached a $169 million deal to resolve the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's complaint over pollution from a petroleum refinery in Lima, Ohio, the U.S. Department of Justice and the EPA announced Friday.

  • September 26, 2024

    Nestlé Customers Win Class Cert. In Child Labor Labeling Suit

    A California federal judge on Thursday granted class certification in litigation alleging Nestle USA misleads the public with "sustainably sourced" chocolate labels when its cocoa is produced through child labor and deforestation, rejecting the company's contention that classes can't be lumped together for different labels on different products.

  • September 26, 2024

    Donziger Unveils Plan To Launch Impact Litigation Fund

    Sitting before an intimate audience of environmental investors and business leaders, disbarred environmental lawyer Steven Donziger recounted his 30-year battle with Chevron Corp. and its predecessor Texaco Inc. in Manhattan on Thursday, before laying out his plan to launch an impact litigation fund.

  • September 26, 2024

    11th Circ. Affirms Convictions In Fla. Shark Rescue Case

    The Eleventh Circuit upheld felony theft convictions for two Florida tour boat divers who were prosecuted for freeing sharks they believed were illegally poached, but turned out to be part of a research project conducted with a permit granted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

  • September 26, 2024

    3rd Circ. Rules Commerce Fishery Councils Cannot Veto Regs

    Government-appointed advisory councils that have the power to veto decisions of federal cabinet-level officials run afoul of the U.S. Constitution, the Third Circuit said, stripping that veto power from "regional fishery management councils" that advise the U.S. secretary of commerce.

  • September 26, 2024

    Offended Texas Judge Formally Vacates Buoy Injunction

    A Texas federal judge who took umbrage at a state attorney's suggestion that he may ignore the Fifth Circuit's instruction to lift his injunction on the state's buoy barrier in the Rio Grande ceded to the appellate court on Thursday.

  • September 26, 2024

    Infighting Plagues SF Leaders With High Court Args Imminent

    San Francisco has forged ahead with its effort to convince the U.S. Supreme Court that a federal Clean Water Act permit is too vague for it to comply with, even as a dispute over whether to drop the case has broken out between city leaders.

  • September 26, 2024

    Causation Claim Came Early, BP Spill Workers Tell 11th Circ.

    Cleanup workers of BP's Deepwater Horizon spill who say they were sickened by exposure to crude oil urged the Eleventh Circuit Thursday to reverse a judgment in favor of the company, arguing a Florida judge jumped the gun in tossing expert testimony about the links between their work and the respiratory conditions the workers say they developed.

  • September 26, 2024

    EPA Cleared Of Allegations Of Mishandling Ohio Derailment

    An Ohio federal judge has dismissed allegations that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mishandled its response to the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, finding little evidence that government officials wrongly cleared air and water quality as safe enough for residents to return home.

  • September 26, 2024

    Conn. PFAS Water Pollution Suit Returned To State Court

    A Connecticut federal judge has sent back to state court a proposed class action accusing the Connecticut Water Co. of knowingly selling water contaminated with dangerous levels of PFAS and failing to take steps to remove the pollutants, saying the water supply system's arguments are "fatally flawed."

  • September 26, 2024

    Feds Split $71M Clean Energy Award Between 13 Tribes

    The Biden administration is investing $71 million to electrify homes in 13 tribal communities across Indian Country in an effort to close ongoing access to electricity gap problems with clean energy sources.

  • September 26, 2024

    6th Circ. Upholds Philips' Win In Glass Plant Pollution Suit

    The Sixth Circuit on Wednesday stood by a Kentucky federal jury's verdict clearing Philips Electronics of proposed class claims brought by Bluegrass State property owners over pollution, agreeing with the jurors and the lower court that the claims over the company's former glass plant were filed too late.

  • September 26, 2024

    VivoPower Keeps HQ In UK To Qualify For $21B Gov't Program

    Sustainable energy solutions company VivoPower International PLC and hydrogen technology business Future Automotive Solutions and Technologies on Thursday outlined additional terms to their proposed $1.13 billion merger, including settling the combined company's headquarters in the U.K. in order to qualify for potential "significant and attractive" government incentives.

  • September 26, 2024

    Ga. Judge Halts Election Over Sapelo Island Zoning Change

    A Georgia state judge pulled the plug on a special election Gullah Geechee residents of Sapelo Island initiated to try to overturn a McIntosh County zoning change that more than doubled the size of dwellings allowed in their Hogg Hummock community.

  • September 26, 2024

    11th Circ. Wary Of Ineffective-Counsel Claim In Salmonella Case

    Peanut Corp. of America's former president and a food broker convicted for their roles in a salmonella outbreak that killed nine people and sickened more than 700 in 2008 and 2009 urged the Eleventh Circuit on Thursday to overturn a district court order refusing to vacate their prison sentences.

  • September 26, 2024

    Qualcomm Eyes Massive Buyout Of Intel, Plus Other Rumors

    Qualcomm has approached struggling rival Intel with a takeover offer, Chevron's $53 billion acquisition proposal for Hess is expected to win regulatory clearance, and private Equity Firm BC Partners wants to buy a minority stake in EuroLeague. Here, Law360 breaks down these and other notable deal rumors from the past week.

  • September 26, 2024

    Texas Energy Co. Is Owed $8.1M Research Credit, Court Told

    An energy company that said it developed a method for recycling water produced by fracking is owed $8.1 million in tax credits for research related to developing new oil production methods in the U.S. and Canada, the company told a Texas federal district court.

  • September 25, 2024

    Arnold & Itkin DQ Bid Says Zeta Defense Atty Is Ex-Employee

    Arnold & Itkin has asked a Harris County judge to disqualify the law firm representing a drilling rig owner in litigation spurring from Hurricane Zeta, alleging a defense lawyer previously worked for Arnold & Itkin and improperly sent herself confidential information about the litigation before leaving the firm.

  • September 25, 2024

    Target Can't Escape Claims Over Deceptive 'Clean' Label

    A California federal judge on Wednesday said that Target Corp. still has to face class claims that its Target Clean range of beauty products actually contain chemicals that harm humans and the environment, saying the allegations are a bit "unique" and are not typical product liability claims.

  • September 25, 2024

    Baltimore Bridge Wreck: 6 Months Later, Claims Mount

    A court deadline to challenge liability limits over Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse shows an intense legal battle brewing as the U.S. government, Maryland and private plaintiffs sharpen their claims for damages against the owner and manager of the cargo ship that slammed into the bridge six months ago.

  • September 25, 2024

    Consultant Wants NC Packaging Patent Fight Tossed

    A consultant and owner of a cold-packaging company accused of lying about his patent rights is doubling down on his bid to ditch a rival business's federal lawsuit under North Carolina's abusive patent law, saying he has no intention of accusing the business of infringement.

  • September 25, 2024

    Fla. Condo's Irma Suit Dismissed After Settlement With Insurer

    A Florida federal court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a Fort Myers Beach condominium association after it settled with an insurance company for an appraisal award that was allegedly owed for damage caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017.

  • September 25, 2024

    3rd Circ. Preserves Monsanto's Win In Cancer Warning Suit

    The Third Circuit refused to reconsider its ruling that federal law preempts a more stringent Pennsylvania statute that mandates cancer warnings on chemicals, preserving Monsanto's win against a man who alleged the company's Roundup herbicide caused his illness.

  • September 25, 2024

    10th Circ. To Hear Arguments In Utah Monument Row

    A Tenth Circuit panel will hear arguments on Thursday in a dispute over President Joe Biden's redesignation of 1.4 million acres of land in Utah that reclaimed the Bears Ears National Monument.

  • September 25, 2024

    Transco Backers Urge DC Circ. To Revisit Pipeline Ruling

    Natural gas and pipeline entities are firing back at a D.C. Circuit ruling that scrapped Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approvals for a five-state pipeline expansion project being pursued by the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., with one rival company saying the court's flawed decision sent "shockwaves through the industry."

Expert Analysis

  • Replacing The Stigma Of Menopause With Law Firm Support

    Author Photo

    A large proportion of the workforce is forced to pull the brakes on their career aspirations because of the taboo surrounding menopause and a lack of consistent support, but law firms can initiate the cultural shift needed by formulating thoughtful workplace policies, says Barbara Hamilton-Bruce at Simmons & Simmons.

  • Planning Law Firm Content Calendars: What, When, Where

    Author Photo

    During the slower month of August, law firms should begin working on their 2025 content calendars, planning out a content creation and distribution framework that aligns with the firm’s objectives and maintains audience engagement throughout the year, says Jessica Kaplan at Legally Penned.

  • What To Expect From Evolving Wash. Development Plans

    Author Photo

    The current round of periodic updates to Washington counties' growth and development plans will need to address new requirements from recent legislation, and will also likely bring changes that should please property owners and developers, says Jami Balint at Seyfarth.

  • Series

    Playing Golf Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Golf can positively affect your personal and professional life well beyond the final putt, and it’s helped enrich my legal practice by improving my ability to build lasting relationships, study and apply the rules, face adversity with grace, and maintain my mental and physical well-being, says Adam Kelly at Venable.

  • Brownfield Questions Surround IRS Tax Credit Bonus

    Author Photo

    Though the IRS has published guidance regarding the Inflation Reduction Act's 10% adder for tax credits generated by renewable energy projects constructed on brownfield sites, considerable guesswork remains as potential implications seem contrary to IRS intentions, say Megan Caldwell and Jon Micah Goeller at Husch Blackwell.

  • Law Firms Should Move From Reactive To Proactive Marketing

    Author Photo

    Most law firm marketing and business development teams operate in silos, leading to an ad hoc, reactive approach, but shifting to a culture of proactive planning — beginning with comprehensive campaigns — can help firms effectively execute their broader business strategy, says Paul Manuele at PR Manuele Consulting.

  • Energy And AI: Key Issues And Future Challenges

    Author Photo

    Artificial intelligence promises new technical advantages for the energy industry, but it is also responsible for vast, and growing, energy consumption — so the future of AI and energy will require balancing technological advancement with regulatory oversight, environmental responsibility and infrastructure development, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • From Muppet Heads To OJ's Glove: How To Use Props At Trial

    Author Photo

    Demonstrative graphics have become so commonplace in the courtroom that jurors may start to find them boring, but attorneys can keep jurors engaged and improve their recall by effectively using physical props at trial, says Clint Townson at Townson Consulting.

  • Opinion

    The Big Issues A BigLaw Associates' Union Could Address

    Author Photo

    A BigLaw associates’ union could address a number of issues that have the potential to meaningfully improve working conditions, diversity and attorney well-being — from restructured billable hour requirements to origination credit allocation, return-to-office mandates and more, says Tara Rhoades at The Sanity Plea.

  • Opinion

    It's Time For A BigLaw Associates' Union

    Author Photo

    As BigLaw faces a steady stream of criticism about its employment policies and practices, an associates union could effect real change — and it could start with law students organizing around opposition to recent recruiting trends, says Tara Rhoades at The Sanity Plea.

  • How Justices Upended The Administrative Procedure Act

    Author Photo

    In its recent Loper Bright, Corner Post and Jarkesy decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court fundamentally changed the Administrative Procedure Act in ways that undermine Congress and the executive branch, shift power to the judiciary, curtail public and business input, and create great uncertainty, say Alene Taber and Beth Hummer at Hanson Bridgett.

  • How Corner Post Affects Enviro Laws' Statutes Of Limitations

    Author Photo

    The U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling in Corner Post v. Federal Reserve Board has helped to alter the fundamental underpinnings of administrative law — and its plaintiff-centric approach may have implications for some specific environmental laws' statutes of limitations, say Chris Leason and Liam Martin at Gallagher and Kennedy.

  • 2 Vital Trial Principles Endure Amid Tech Advances

    Author Photo

    Progress in trial technologies in the last 10 years has been transformative for courtroom presentations, but two core communication axioms are still relevant in today's world of drone footage evidence and 3D animations, say Adam Bloomberg and Lisa Walters at IMS Legal Strategies.

  • Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Is My Counterclaim Bound To Fall?

    Author Photo

    A Pennsylvania federal court’s recent dismissal of the defendants’ counterclaims in Morgan v. Noss should remind attorneys to avoid the temptation to repackage a claim’s facts and law into a mirror-image counterclaim, as this approach will often result in a waste of time and resources, says Matthew Selmasska at Kaufman Dolowich.

  • Nuclear Power Can Help Industrial Plants Get To Net-Zero

    Author Photo

    In the race to fight climate change and achieve net-zero emissions, the industrial sector currently faces immense challenges — but the integration of nuclear energy is a promising solution, so companies should consider the financial and regulatory issues, opportunities, and risk-mitigating factors, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the Environmental archive.
Hello! I'm Law360's automated support bot.

How can I help you today?

For example, you can type:
  • I forgot my password
  • I took a free trial but didn't get a verification email
  • How do I sign up for a newsletter?
Ask a question!