Environmental

  • July 16, 2025

    FCC Looks To Streamline Regs For Enviro Reviews

    The Federal Communications Commission expects to move a plan forward in August that would overhaul its rules for scrutinizing telecom and broadband projects under the National Environmental Policy Act.

  • July 16, 2025

    9th Circ. Tosses Atty-Farmer's Suit Over USDA Organic Label

    The Ninth Circuit on Tuesday upheld a U.S. Department of Agriculture rule allowing farm collectives in the U.S. and other countries to be certified as "organic" under one certificate and not inspected annually, tossing an attorney-turned-Oregon hazelnut farmer's suit alleging Turkish growers were defrauding the system.

  • July 16, 2025

    FEMA Targeted In 20-State Suit Over Pre-Disaster Grant Cuts

    A coalition of 20 states led by Washington and Massachusetts sued the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Boston federal court Wednesday, accusing the Trump administration of illegally cutting off billions of dollars in grants for proactive disaster mitigation projects across the country.

  • July 16, 2025

    US Fights NY's Bid To Move Climate Superfund Suit Upstate

    The federal government is urging a Southern District of New York judge not to transfer its lawsuit challenging the state's climate change Superfund law to the Northern District, where it would join similar litigation filed by several Republican-led states.

  • July 16, 2025

    USTR To Probe Brazil's Trade Practices For Possible Tariffs

    The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced Tuesday evening it will launch an investigation into Brazil's trade practices to determine whether tariff actions could be necessary after a request by President Donald Trump and prior tariff threats.

  • July 16, 2025

    Judge Says Navy Must Face Contamination Claim At Calif. Site

    A Court of Federal Claims judge trimmed some but not all claims from a suit alleging the Navy breached its obligation to remediate newly discovered petroleum and chloroform contamination at a Novato, California, property it sold two decades ago.

  • July 15, 2025

    EXIM Bank Sued For 'Unconscionable' LNG Project Funding

    Friends of the Earth is asking a D.C. federal judge to block $4.7 billion in financing the Export-Import Bank of the United States has authorized for a massive liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique led by TotalEnergies SE.

  • July 15, 2025

    The Biggest IP Agency Developments Of 2025: Midyear Report

    The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office have not been spared from the Trump administration's shake-ups and changes across the federal government in the first half of the year.

  • July 15, 2025

    3rd Circ. Backs FAA's Civil Penalty Actions Post-Jarkesy

    The Third Circuit on Tuesday backed the Federal Aviation Administration's adjudicatory authority to impose civil penalties for air safety rules violations, saying in a precedential ruling that the U.S. Supreme Court's Jarkesy decision doesn't entitle a paint supplier to a jury trial in a case stemming from a leaky paint can on a FedEx plane.

  • July 15, 2025

    Deep Sea Mining Co. Gets Suit Over 'Green' Investments Axed

    A New York federal judge has dismissed in its entirety a suit accusing The Metals Co. Inc. of misleading investors about the magnitude of its "green" investments and its private equity backing before going public, finding that the suit's challenged statements were not false when made.

  • July 15, 2025

    EPA Defends Ending Enviro Justice Grants

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has asked a federal judge to dismiss a proposed class action filed by environmental groups, a Native American village and other local governments, alleging the EPA unlawfully stopped $3 billion in climate grant funding.

  • July 15, 2025

    FTC Still Bans Ex-Pioneer CEO From Exxon Board, For Now

    If the current Federal Trade Commission upends Biden-era Democrats' ban on the former CEO of Pioneer from serving on Exxon's board, it will be on the now-Republican-led commission's own volition rather than through a petition by the executive.

  • July 15, 2025

    Tribes, Enviro Groups Look To Block Copper Mine Land Swap

    Environmental and tribal groups are asking a federal court to extend an injunction blocking the transfer of more than 2,500 acres within Tonto National Forest to an Arizona copper mining company, arguing that a final environmental impact study and appraisal of the property raise serious questions in the dispute.

  • July 15, 2025

    Texas Cities Cite Gov't Immunity In Farmers' PFAS Suit

    Governmental entities led by Fort Worth submitted a brief to a Texas federal court Tuesday supporting their immunity in managing wastewater operations in connection with a proposed class action from farmers who claim their lands were contaminated by toxic chemicals.

  • July 15, 2025

    Monsanto Beats Roundup Suit After Expert Report Failure

    Monsanto Co. has defeated a Knoxville, Tennessee, resident's $5 million lawsuit that claimed his 30-year exposure to the herbicide Roundup caused him to develop cancer, after a federal judge ended the litigation due to the man's failure to provide an expert witness supporting his claim.

  • July 15, 2025

    Trash Hauler Accused Of Blocking Competitor Amid Strike

    A Massachusetts competitor to trash hauler Allied Waste Systems says the company is interfering with its efforts to offer customers an alternative during a strike that is entering its third week, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in state court.

  • July 15, 2025

    La Caisse Plugs $200M Into PE-Backed Renewa

    Infrastructure investor QIC Infrastructure on Tuesday announced that its portfolio company Renewa received a $200 million primary equity commitment from investment group La Caisse.

  • July 15, 2025

    Fla. Tribe Seeks To Join Everglades Detention Center Suit

    A Florida Native American tribe has filed a motion to join a federal lawsuit against an immigration detention center constructed in the Everglades, saying the facility poses a direct threat to its livelihood.

  • July 15, 2025

    Property Co. Says Storm Coverage Row Can't Be Arbitrated

    The owner of a New Orleans luxury apartment and retail complex urged the Fifth Circuit to affirm a lower court's decision to vacate a previous order forcing it to arbitrate its $7 million Hurricane Ida damage claims against a group of domestic insurers, saying Louisiana law applies and bars arbitration.

  • July 15, 2025

    Sunnova Seeks OK For $7M In Ch. 11 Sale Incentives To Execs

    Bankrupt solar panel giant Sunnova has asked a Texas bankruptcy court for permission to pay up to $7 million in cash incentives to its top executives, contingent on securing higher sale proceeds than its stalking horse bids for certain assets.

  • July 15, 2025

    Calif. Legislature OKs Retroactive Solar Property Exclusion

    California would allow the purchaser of a new property a three-year window to apply for a property tax exclusion for solar energy systems under a bill passed by the state Senate and sent to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom for approval.

  • July 15, 2025

    PVC Pipe Buyers Seek Initial OK Of $6M Deal In Antitrust Row

    Counsel for two classes of purchasers of polyvinyl chloride pipe urged an Illinois federal judge Tuesday to grant preliminary approval to two $3 million settlements resolving their antitrust claims against an analytics service allegedly used in a conspiracy by PVC pipe makers to inflate the price of their products.

  • July 15, 2025

    DC Circ. Backs Dismissal Of Green Orgs' Drilling Permit Suit

    The D.C. Circuit on Tuesday rejected environmental groups' challenge to the approvals of thousands of federally approved oil and gas drilling permits in New Mexico and Wyoming, finding that a lower court was right to find they lacked standing.

  • July 14, 2025

    Groups Renew Push For Everglades Detention Center Ruling

    Environmental advocacy groups have renewed their push for an order against an immigrant detention facility in the Everglades, telling a Florida federal court that the center is holding detainees in inhumane conditions and damaging surrounding protected land.

  • July 14, 2025

    NY Judge Snuffs Counties' Bid To Derail Congestion Pricing

    A New York federal judge on Monday tossed claims from two local counties alleging Manhattan's discriminatory congestion pricing tolls trampled on motorists' right to travel, saying inconvenient tolls for certain commuters don't amount to a constitutional violation.

Expert Analysis

  • Strategies To Help Witnesses Manage Deposition Anxiety

    Author Photo

    During and leading up to deposition, witnesses may experience anxiety stemming from numerous sources and manifesting in a variety of ways, but attorneys can help them mitigate their stress using a few key methods, say consultants at Courtroom Sciences.

  • How Cos. Can Mitigate Increasing Microplastics Liability Risk

    Author Photo

    Amid rising scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe of microplastics' impact on health and the growing threat of litigation against consumer product and food and beverage manufacturers, companies can limit liability through compliance with labeling laws, careful contract management and other practices, say attorneys at Rogers Joseph.

  • Strategizing For Renewable Energy Project Success In Texas

    Author Photo

    The Electric Reliability Council of Texas has long been a key market for renewable energy projects, but rising financial and regulatory uncertainty means that developers and investors must prepare for inflation and policy risks, secure robust insurance coverage, and leverage tax equity transferability to ensure success, say attorneys at McDermott.

  • A Cold War-Era History Lesson On Due Process

    Author Photo

    The landmark Harry Bridges case from the mid-20th century Red Scare offers important insights on why lawyers must be free of government reprisal, no matter who their client is, says Peter Afrasiabi at One LLP.

  • How Latin American Finance Markets May Shift Under Trump

    Author Photo

    Changes in the federal government are bringing profound implications for Latin American financial institutions and cross-border financing, including increased competition from U.S. banks, volatility in equity markets and stable green investor demand despite deregulation in the U.S., says David Contreiras Tyler at Womble Bond.

  • Series

    Improv Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Improv keeps me grounded and connected to what matters most, including in my legal career where it has helped me to maintain a balance between being analytical, precise and professional, and creative, authentic and open-minded, says Justine Gottshall at InfoLawGroup.

  • How BigLaw Executive Orders May Affect Smaller Firms

    Author Photo

    Because of the types of cases they take on, solo practitioners, small law firms and public interest attorneys may find themselves more dramatically affected by the collective impact of recent government action involving the legal industry than even the BigLaw firms named in the executive orders, says Reuben Guttman at Guttman Buschner.

  • Opinion

    Lawsuits Shouldn't Be Shadow Assets For Foreign Capital

    Author Photo

    Third-party litigation financing amplifies inefficiencies from litigation and facilitates national exposure to foreign influence in the U.S. justice system, so full disclosure of financing arrangements should be required as a matter of institutional integrity, says Roland Eisenhuth at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

  • How To Accelerate Your Post-Attorney Career Transition

    Author Photo

    Professionals seeking to transition to nonattorney careers may encounter skepticism as nontraditional candidates, but there are opportunities for thought leadership and to leverage speaking and writing to accelerate a post-attorney career transition, say Janet Falk at Falk Communications and Evgeny Efremkin at Toronto Metropolitan University.

  • Key Takeaways From The 2025 Spring Antitrust Meeting

    Author Photo

    Leadership changes, shifting priorities and evolving enforcement tools dominated the conversation at the recent American Bar Association Spring Antitrust Meeting, as panelists explored competition policy under a second Trump administration, agency discretion under the 2023 merger guidelines and new frontiers in conduct enforcement, say attorneys at Freshfields.

  • What PFAS-Treated Clothing Tariff Bill Would Mean For Cos.

    Author Photo

    In keeping with a nationwide trend of greater restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives would remove tariff advantages for PFAS-treated clothing — so businesses would be wise to proactively adapt their supply chains and review contracts to mitigate liability, say attorneys at Alston & Bird.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: Be An Indispensable Associate

    Author Photo

    While law school teaches you to research, write and think critically, it often overlooks the professional skills you will need to make yourself an essential team player when transitioning from a summer to full-time associate, say attorneys at Stinson.

  • What 2nd Trump Admin Means For Ship Pollution Compliance

    Author Photo

    As the second Trump administration's civil and criminal enforcement policies take shape, the maritime industry must ensure it complies with both national and international obligations to prevent oil pollution from seagoing vessels — with preventive efforts and voluntary disclosures being some of the best options for mitigating risk, say attorneys at Holland & Knight.

  • Mass. AG Emerges As Key Player In Consumer Protection

    Author Photo

    Through enforcement actions and collaborations with other states — including joining a recent amicus brief decrying the defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has established herself as a thought leader for consumer protection and corporate accountability, say attorneys at Troutman Pepper.

  • Series

    Birding Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Observing and documenting birds in their natural habitats fosters patience, sharpens observational skills and provides moments of pure wonder — qualities that foster personal growth and enrich my legal career, says Allison Raley at Arnall Golden.

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.