DeSmog
Apr 30, 2020 @ 15:56
While fossil fuel companies defend against mounting climate liability lawsuits in court, their surrogates are working in parallel to target the attorneys, academics, and institutions supporting these lawsuits. This defensive strategy involves vigorous public records requests, and in some cases legal action or intervention, to try proving a supposed conspiracy by those working to hold polluters accountable.
ExxonMobil has itself argued that attorneys general and municipal officials that have sued the company are engaged in a conspiracy to take down Big Oil. That argument hasn’t gained traction in court, but this hasn’t stopped operatives tied to fossil fuel funding from trying to take up that charge.
Pawa
AUSTIN – The parties accused of orchestrating climate change “lawfare” against the energy sector are feigning shock that their attempts to chill speech and commandeer public policy could be subjected to personal jurisdiction in Texas courts, ExxonMobil argues in a recently filed brief.
Last June, an appellate court ruled it does not have jurisdiction over California cities and counties pursuing climate change lawsuits against the energy sector.
The case is now currently before the Texas Supreme Court. Justices have been tasked to decide if ExxonMobil has the authority to investigate those who allegedly orchestrated the litigation.
Exxon argues that the “potential defendants use tort suits to impose their preferred climate and energy policies on Texas.”
Pawa
FORT WORTH – The parties accused of orchestrating climate change “lawfare” against the energy sector are asking the state’s highest court to deny ExxonMobil’s petition of review.
Last June, an appellate court ruled it does not have jurisdiction over California cities and counties pursuing climate change lawsuits against the energy sector.
The case is now currently before the Texas Supreme Court. Justices have been tasked to decide if ExxonMobil has the authority to investigate those who allegedly orchestrated the litigation.
Exxon argues that the “potential defendants use tort suits to impose their preferred climate and energy policies on Texas.”
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Seeger Weiss launches environmental practice with trailblazing litigator Matt Pawa, opening its first Massachusetts office
February 8, 2021 GMT
RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J., Feb. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Seeger Weiss LLP is proud to announce the launch of a new environmental practice group, to be headed by pioneering environmental litigator Matt Pawa and located in a new Boston-area office.
“Seeger Weiss is proud of the work we’ve done on important cases involving environmental harm such as representing the City of New York against the biggest contributors to the climate crisis and consumers defrauded by the Dieselgate scandal,” said cofounding partner Christopher A. Seeger. “Now, with Matt’s help, we expect to take this work to a new level. We’re excited to go after the companies who have profited by harming our environment.”