Environmental Law

Water Wars: A growing demand for water requires navigating complex laws that regulate its distribution

Whether Americans are able to alleviate the catastrophic depletion of life-sustaining surface water and groundwater—exacerbated by what scientists have concluded is a global warming-driven drought—will depend on the outcomes of negotiations, litigation, legislation and other forms of conflict resolution that vary greatly by jurisdiction.

Jan 1, 2026 12:00 AM CST

Lawyer sues IRS to recognize her dog as legal dependent

An attorney licensed in Utah and New York is suing the IRS, seeking to force the agency to recognize her dog as a dependent for tax purposes, according to Forbes.

Dec 22, 2025 1:07 PM CST

Our 11 favorite Instagram posts from 2025

It's been another riveting year in the legal industry and for our coverage at the ABA Journal. And just like that, 2026 will be here before we know it.

Dec 22, 2025 10:39 AM CST

Lawyer and animal activist creates pet memorial for the holidays

A Texas attorney and animal welfare activist is combining her love of animals and holiday cheer to help grieving pet owners this holiday season.

Dec 15, 2025 9:38 AM CST

Court orders exes to bid for custody of Tucker the goldendoodle

It took a ruling from one of the country’s top business courts last week to settle a yearslong dispute between a former Delaware couple: Who gets to keep Tucker, the pair’s adorable goldendoodle, after their breakup?

Nov 18, 2025 1:16 PM CST

Federal judge’s decision tossing youths’ climate lawsuit had ‘silver lining’

A federal judge had some good news for 22 youths in his Oct. 15 decision dismissing their lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s executive orders promoting fossil fuels.

Oct 21, 2025 9:25 AM CDT

Approaching retirement age? Go back to law school—in a different country

Maybe you can identify with this. You are at the socially acceptable retirement age. Very few people, especially in your age group, understand why you are still working. “Are you retired yet?” “Oh, I’m sorry.” “You can’t take it with you!” “Before long, it will be gone, gone, gone!”

Sep 10, 2025 9:01 AM CDT

Talk to the Animals: If AI can translate whistles, barks and meows, could it be used in court?

Fast-moving developments in artificial intelligence could one day crack the codes to translating animals’ whistles, chirps, clicks and barks—allowing humans and animals to communicate with each other at new levels and spawning a host of legal and ethical questions.

Sep 8, 2025 9:22 AM CDT

Not Chickening Out: The world’s oldest profession is fighting

"Tweedledum and Tweedledee agreed to have a battle; for Tweedledum said Tweedledee had spoiled his nice new rattle." —Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass

Sep 3, 2025 2:03 PM CDT

Delcianna Winders has woven a web of animal law clinics and programs

“Becoming a lawyer was a good pathway to channel my animal advocacy, and the law plays a really important role in the status of animals,” says ABA member Delcianna Winders. “It’s an important lever that I could have an impact on.”

Sep 2, 2025 11:55 AM CDT

Can you bring a service dog to court?

“Service animals are allowed to accompany people with disabilities in all spaces run by state and local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations where the general public can go,” according to the Americans with Disabilities Act. But if the service animal isn’t specifically designated for the person appearing before a federal judge, is the animal still allowed?

Aug 28, 2025 2:16 PM CDT

US can’t target fossil fuel producers through regulations, then argue they don’t have standing, SCOTUS says

Fossil fuel companies have standing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for approving California’s requirement for the production of more electric vehicles, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday in a 7-2 decision.

Jun 20, 2025 11:39 AM CDT

Supreme Court narrows scope of environmental reviews

The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously narrowed the scope of government-required environmental reviews for major infrastructure projects, overturning a lower-court block on a rail line in Utah that would carry billions of gallons of oil. The case became a proxy battle over how far federal agencies may go in assessing the environmental impact of highways, pipelines and other projects before deciding whether to approve them.

May 29, 2025 2:38 PM CDT

Lawyer at a Party: How to handle unwanted legal inquiries

“My lease says no pets allowed, but that’s only for like really big dogs—right?” You take a deep breath, look at your inquisitor and wonder anew why you left the comfort of your home for this cocktail party. At home, no one asks you legal questions.

May 29, 2025 9:51 AM CDT

Climate change suit alleging energy companies created public nuisance may proceed, top state court says

Two energy companies accused of contributing to climate change can be sued in state court, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled last week.

May 20, 2025 8:50 AM CDT