Emerging Trends and Strategies
in an Evolving Legal Landscape
CD of Teleconference with Q&A
Click here for program outline
Conducted on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Now available on CD
Sponsored by the Digest of Environmental Lawand the Legal Publishing Group of Strafford Publications
Environmental Law Teleconference Advisory Board
Because the global warming debate has given rise to litigation by states, interest groups, and private litigants seeking remedies for past or future injuries allegedly caused or to be caused by global warming, state governments and environmental groups are seeking relief in court. Over the last few years, climate change litigation has mushroomed: over two dozen cases, pursuing different legal theories, are now pending.
The legal theories pursued in these lawsuits are based on a variety of federal and state laws and regulations, including the Clean Air Act, federal wildlife protection laws and energy statutes, common law tort, and state emission regulations and utility laws. Which theory will pan out?
Counsel advising businesses with potential GHG emission issues must understand the scope of the wide-ranging legal theories involved and how the courts are dealing with suits alleging global warming or climate change damages.
Listen as our authoritative panel of counsel who advise and defend companies on global warming issues examines the emerging legal trends and theories. The panel will offer their perspectives and best practices on proactive measures companies can take, as well as defending and prosecuting claims, involving GHG emissions.
The panel included:
Richard Welsh, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, Los Angeles. He has wide-ranging experience as trial, appellate, and international arbitration counsel for Fortune 500 clients in diverse industry sectors, including handling GHG emission matters.
Michael B. Gerrard, Partner, Arnold & Porter, New York. He has practiced environmental law in New York since 1979 and handles the environmental aspects of many transactions and development projects. He maintains a case chart on climate change litigation. He heads the New York office and its environmental practice. His most recent book is Global Climate Change and U.S. Law (American Bar Association 2007).
Paul E. Gutermann, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Washington, D.C. He co-heads the firm's Climate Change Practice. He litigates cutting-edge issues and negotiates environmental issues in corporate mergers, divestitures and restructurings. He has served as Lead Trial Counsel defending major enforcement actions and on transactions representing companies acquiring and divesting assets.
The panel reviewed these and other key questions:
- What kinds of claimants and litigants are asserting GHG damages?
- What legal theories and specific laws form the basis for current global warming lawsuits?
- How are different courts responding to climate change claims under the different laws and legal theories?
- What are the key challenges facing plaintiffs and defendants involved in GHG litigation?
- How can companies best position themselves to avoid claims involving GHG emissions in the current legal environment?
TELECONFERENCE CD
Purchase a CD-ROM of the full conference proceedings, including Q&A and PDF files of all handouts (available 10 days after the program).
- Regular Price - $297 (plus $9.45 S&H)
- With Teleconference Registration – an additional $75 (plus $9.45 S&H)
CLE credit is available for an additional $65 each for attorneys seeking CLE credits for NY or CT.
Other states may grant CLE credits for listening to this CD - check with your state about applying for self-study credit on CD-listening.