Environmental Law

Was your turkey raised by ‘independent family farmers’? Activists increasingly target food claims

An increasing number of class action lawsuits are being filed against the food and beverage industry as activists challenge corporate claims about their humane and sustainable practices.

Sep 7, 2021 1:17 PM CDT

SCOTUS justices pause reinstatement of remain-in-Mexico policy, won’t stop Obama center construction

Supreme Court justices on Friday acted on two requests to block court rulings on immigration and construction of a presidential center that is opposed by environmentalists.

Aug 23, 2021 9:20 AM CDT

88 of 100 top law firms ‘undertook work that worsened climate change,’ new report says; which ones got A’s?

Only three Vault Law 100 law firms received an A grade in a new report by Law Students for Climate Accountability, while three dozen received a failing grade of F.

Aug 19, 2021 11:56 AM CDT

ABA Hybrid Annual Meeting convenes members online and in Chicago

The American Bar Association is hosting its first-ever hybrid annual meeting, which will bring together members for both virtual and in-person events in Chicago this week.

Aug 4, 2021 9:10 AM CDT

‘It’s time to pay the piper’: Ex-lawyer found guilty of criminal contempt in long-running Chevron battle

Disbarred human rights lawyer Steven Donziger was found guilty of criminal contempt Monday for refusing to comply with court orders in a long-running battle with the Chevron Corp. over pollution in Ecuador.

Jul 26, 2021 11:41 AM CDT

Top Texas court rejects case, then agrees to hear it after appellant donates $250K to reelection PAC

In October, the Apache Corp., a Houston oil company, was unable to persuade the Texas Supreme Court to hear its appeal of a paralegal’s retaliation award of about $900,000 in damages and attorney fees.

Jul 26, 2021 10:39 AM CDT

Chicago’s lakefront is an accident of history, but can it teach us how to preserve land for public use?

Chicago's lakefront, with its parks, museums, beaches and public spaces, is an accident of history. But can we take lessons from that history to create sustainable and environmentally responsible public spaces?

Jul 21, 2021 10:00 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Webinar considers legal profession’s caregiving bias; animal rights lawyer pleads guilty

Webinar will consider caregiving bias in legal profession The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession will examine how the legal profession can ensure the success of mothers and caregivers in a July 28 webinar titled “Motherhood and Caregiving Bias in the Legal Profession: Dismantling the Systemic Barriers to Equity.”…

Jul 19, 2021 4:26 PM CDT

Judge tosses 238 oil-spill cases, citing law firm’s failure to respond to discovery requests

A federal judge in Pensacola, Florida, has dismissed 238 cases filed for cleanup workers who blame their medical problems on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Jun 29, 2021 2:38 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Derek Chauvin sentenced; judge won’t toss climate change suit

Chauvin sentenced for George Floyd’s death A Minnesota judge on Friday sentenced fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin to 22.5 years years in prison for killing George Floyd with a knee to his neck. Judge Peter Cahill of Hennepin County, Minnesota, said he was basing the sentence in part on…

Jun 25, 2021 3:41 PM CDT

In closing brief, disbarred environmental lawyer claims his prosecution is ‘run by an oil company’

A closing brief filed on behalf of disbarred environmental lawyer Steven Donziger contends that the criminal contempt case against him “has all the trappings of a deeply troubled and conflicted prosecution run by an oil company.”

Jun 11, 2021 11:43 AM CDT

California often leads the way in passing environmental and consumer protection laws

A slew of measures passed in California in recent years in hopes of expanding consumer or environmental protections further afield. Whether it’s product ingredients or data privacy or pollution prevention, California is frequently where such laws start.

Jun 1, 2021 2:00 AM CDT

Could international animal rights laws prevent the next pandemic? Rajesh Reddy has a plan

“You can be vigilant in how you work to prevent zoonotic diseases and spillovers from different species, but that doesn’t help you if your neighbors aren’t following the same rules and protocols,” says Rajesh Reddy.

Jun 1, 2021 12:50 AM CDT

Lawyer statements in press release aren’t protected by judicial proceedings privilege, top Texas court rules

The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that lawyer statements about a client’s allegations made in a press release and social media aren’t protected by the judicial proceedings privilege or attorney immunity.

May 25, 2021 3:39 PM CDT

Check out these internet-famous animals whose agent is also a lawyer (gallery)

New York City-based lawyer Loni Edwards always she knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. “My whole life, my goal was always to be a lawyer,” she recently told the ABA Journal. But she also had an entrepreneurial itch. “I wanted to do something more creative,” she…

May 10, 2021 10:30 AM CDT