Environmental Law

In Flint water crisis, could involuntary manslaughter charges actually lead to prison time?

Last week, Michigan’s top prosecutor announced that five officials, including the state’s Health Department head Nick Lyon, will face charges of involuntary manslaughter for a death resulting from the Flint water crisis. It’s a move virtually unheard of in modern American history; legal experts couldn’t point to a single case…

Jun 19, 2017 2:38 PM CDT

Five Michigan officials charged with involuntary manslaughter in Flint water debacle

The leader of Michigan’s health department and four other state water officials have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of an 85-year-old man who succumbed to Legionnaires’ disease in an outbreak that prosecutors are linking to Flint’s water supply. The highest-ranking official charged on Wednesday is Nick Lyon,…

Jun 14, 2017 10:36 AM CDT

Lieberman withdraws from FBI director search, cites potential conflict with Kasowitz hire

Joseph Lieberman has withdrawn his name from consideration for FBI director because of the potential conflict of interest caused by President Donald Trump’s hiring of another lawyer from his law firm. Lieberman, a former U.S. senator from Connecticut, said in a letter to the president that he wanted to avoid…

May 25, 2017 4:02 PM CDT

Federal judge approves $97M settlement to replace lead water pipes in Flint

A federal judge on Tuesday approved a settlement in which the state of Michigan will disburse up to $97 million to replace lead water pipes in Flint. U.S. District Judge David Lawson found that the settlement is fair, adequate and reasonable on the same day that he held a hearing…

Mar 29, 2017 10:55 AM CDT

Trump signs executive order rolling back climate change policy; next move is before DC Circuit

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order that directs the Environmental Protection Agency to begin rescinding and rewriting the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, designed to fight global warming by curbing carbon emissions. Trump characterized his order as a way to restore jobs in the coal industry, the…

Mar 28, 2017 2:16 PM CDT

Federal judge denies injunction, permitting Dakota Access Pipeline to go forward

A Washington, D.C. federal court ruling Tuesday paves the way for completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline, over strong objections from neighboring tribal communities, Reuters has reported. The ruling by U.S. District Judge James Boasberg rejected a request for an injunction from the Cheyenne River Sioux and Standing Rock Sioux…

Mar 7, 2017 2:45 PM CST

Class action filed on behalf of Flint residents claims EPA negligence in water probe

A class action lawsuit filed on behalf of 1,700 residents and property owners in Flint, Michigan, claims the Environmental Protection Agency mishandled the Flint water crisis. The negligence suit seeks more than $700 million in damages, report MLive.com, Courthouse News Service and the Detroit News. Name plaintiff Jan Burgess says…

Jan 31, 2017 2:02 PM CST

Trump signs executive order requiring agencies to cut two regulations for every new one proposed

President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order requiring executive departments and agencies to cut at least two regulations for each new one introduced. The order sets an annual cap on the cost of new regulations, and requires that the cost of new regulations in fiscal 2017 be offset…

Jan 31, 2017 10:56 AM CST

EPA accuses Fiat Chrysler of secretly using software that allowed higher diesel emissions

A day after Volkswagen agreed to pay $4.3 billion in penalties for using software to cheat on emissions tests, another automaker is being accused of secretly using software that allowed excess smog-producing emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday issued a notice of rule violation (PDF) to Fiat Chrysler for…

Jan 12, 2017 11:59 AM CST

Volkswagen agrees to pay $4.3B in penalties in emissions scandal; six executives are indicted

The Volkswagen emissions scandal has produced six indictments of German corporate executives and a guilty plea by the company itself, which will pay $4.3 billion in criminal and civil penalties. Volkswagen will plead guilty to participating in a conspiracy to defraud the United States and the automaker’s U.S. customers by…

Jan 11, 2017 1:55 PM CST

Volkswagen executive is arrested in emissions scandal

A Volkswagen executive has been arrested on a charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States for allegedly misleading regulators in the automaker’s emissions scandal. The executive, Oliver Schmidt, was arrested in Florida on Saturday, the New York Times reports. USA Today and the Detroit Free Press have stories on…

Jan 9, 2017 12:13 PM CST

California legislative leaders hire former AG Holder for legal advice in Trump legal battles

Leaders in California’s legislature have hired former Attorney General Eric Holder to represent them as outside counsel in any future legal disputes with the Trump administration. The Democratic legislative leaders of California said they hired Holder and his law firm to advise them “in our efforts to resist any attempts…

Jan 4, 2017 3:46 PM CST

Emergency managers are charged in Flint water debacle

Four more people—including two former emergency managers—have been charged in connection with the leaching of lead into the water supply in Flint, Michigan, a problem caused by a switch to corrosive Flint River water to save money. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed charges on Tuesday, report the Associated Press,…

Dec 20, 2016 3:11 PM CST

The tables turn as Democratic attorneys general prepare to challenge Trump policies

Taking a cue from their Republican counterparts, some Democratic state attorneys general are prepared to file lawsuits that challenge Donald Trump’s administration’s actions. An argument advanced by Republicans—that states must help block federal overreach—is now likely to be adopted by Democrats, the New York Times reports. “The strategy could be…

Dec 15, 2016 10:40 AM CST

Texas environmental law firm merges with Kelley Drye

Kelley Drye & Warren has merged with Jackson Gilmour & Dobbs, a 14-lawyer Texas law firm known for its environmental litigation. Kelley Drye announced its merger with Jackson Gilmour & Dobbs in this press release. The Am Law Daily (sub. req.) and Bloomberg Big Law Business covered the development. Jackson…

Dec 1, 2016 12:37 PM CST