Natural Resources

Supreme Court backlog is the largest in percentage terms since at least 1950

More than half of the cases on the U.S. Supreme Court’s docket have yet to be decided. As of Friday, the court had 33 opinions remaining, which amounts to 53% of its argued cases this term.

Jun 3, 2022 9:37 AM CDT

Greenhouse gas estimates that justify tougher regulations remain intact after SCOTUS refuses to act

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday left intact the Biden administration’s higher estimates of the social cost of greenhouse gases, which are used by federal agencies when drafting new regulations and making permitting decisions.

May 27, 2022 8:46 AM CDT

US law allowing hemp products legalized potlike intoxicant delta-8 THC, 9th Circuit says

A federal appeals court ruled last week that the 2018 law removing most restrictions on hemp legalized the ingredient delta-8 THC, which has psychoactive and intoxicating effects similar to the marijuana ingredient delta-9 THC.

May 24, 2022 9:48 AM CDT

Chemerinsky: SCOTUS could make significant ruling on EPA’s authority to fight climate change—or not

In a term likely filled with blockbuster cases, West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency is an enigma: It could turn out to be unimportant and dismissed without a decision; it may be a major ruling on the scope of the EPA’s power; or it could be a huge decision about judicial review of agency decisions. The case, which was argued on Feb. 28, arose in an unusual procedural posture that may cause the court to dismiss it. But if the justices reach the merits, it could be a decision of great significance about environmental and administrative law.

Mar 3, 2022 12:08 PM CST

Troubled Waters

As interest in outdoor recreation has surged, more people are clashing with property owners over the right to be on the waterways. The conflict over the uses of—and even the definitions of—public and private space is a legal conundrum bedeviling locales across the country.

Feb 1, 2022 4:00 AM CST

Disbarred lawyer who fought Chevron gets prison time for disobeying court orders

Disbarred environmental lawyer Steven Donziger was sentenced to six months in prison Friday for refusing to surrender his electronic devices and disobeying other court orders in a suit against him by the Chevron Corp.

Oct 4, 2021 11:16 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

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

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

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

What this senior counsel learned from ‘the solar-powered lawyer’

I sowed each seed in my garden with equal care and affection. I took great pains to ensure optimal growing conditions: watering them, providing the prescribed fertilizer and periodically extracting weeds.

May 6, 2021 11:12 AM CDT

New York City can’t use tort law to sue oil companies over climate change, 2nd Circuit says

Federal law gives the Environmental Protection Agency, not federal courts, the authority to regulate greenhouse emissions in the United States, a federal appeals court ruled as it tossed a climate change lawsuit Thursday.

Apr 2, 2021 9:34 AM CDT

Law firms have opportunity to join growing cannabis movement

While many practices have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, cannabis law is among the few that have actually prospered, Amanda Ostrowitz said during a Wednesday afternoon event at the ABA Techshow 2021.

Mar 10, 2021 4:24 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Execution carried out despite COVID-19 claim; 9 charged in Flint water crisis

COVID-19 claim doesn’t stop execution of drug trafficker Drug trafficker Cory Johnson was executed Thursday for his role in the slayings of seven people after the U.S. Supreme Court refused a delay request. Johnson’s lawyers had contended that he was intellectually disabled, and he was barred from execution. They also…

Jan 15, 2021 4:31 PM CST

Oregon Supreme Court rejects climate change lawsuit that cites public trust doctrine

The Oregon Supreme Court has rejected claims that the public trust doctrine imposes broad duties on the state to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions.

Oct 23, 2020 10:39 AM CDT