Natural Resources

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…

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

Michigan agrees to pay $600M to settle Flint water claims; most money allocated to minors

The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $600 million to settle claims by Flint, Michigan, residents and businesses that said they were harmed by lead that leached into the city’s water supply.

Aug 20, 2020 3:45 PM CDT

Lawyer accused of obtaining fraudulent environmental verdict against Chevron is disbarred

Rejecting a referee’s recommendation, a New York appeals court has disbarred an environmental lawyer for obtaining a fraudulent $8.6 billion judgment against Chevron in Ecuador.

Aug 14, 2020 10:56 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Trump sued over census policy excluding immigrants; judge swears in 37 new US citizens

Trump faces federal lawsuit over new policy of excluding immigrants from 2020 census

The city of Atlanta, several nonprofit organizations and naturalized citizens sued President Donald Trump on Thursday over…

Jul 24, 2020 4:27 PM CDT

7 ways lawyers can join the fight to curb climate change

There are two paths lawyers can take in response to the crisis. We can mutter, “We’re screwed,” and go back to practicing law and living high-carbon lifestyles. Or we can devote time and resources to help ensure a livable future, says lawyer Matthew Metz.

Feb 27, 2020 10:50 AM CST