Natural Resources

Alito says recusal in climate case is ‘prudent’ but not required

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said his withdrawal from a high-stakes climate change case involving the oil and gas industry was a “difficult judgment call” he made even after the court’s legal office said he didn’t have to disqualify himself.

Oct 1, 2026 9:39 AM CDT

Supreme Court hands win to Chevron, Big Oil in environmental damage case

The Supreme Court on Friday sided with oil giant Chevron, ruling that it can fight an environmental damage lawsuit in federal court—a decision that could affect the outcomes of nearly a dozen other lawsuits that make similar allegations about the oil and gas industry.

Apr 17, 2026 1:22 PM CDT

Federal jury awards $120M to coal company in defamation, RICO suit against lawyer

An Alabama federal jury returned a $120 million verdict Thursday against a former Conrad & Scherer managing partner as part of a defamation and racketeering lawsuit against the attorney, according to a story by by Law360.

Jan 21, 2026 11:00 AM CST

After 4 BigLaw firms reach deals with Trump, their future may include coal industry pro bono, DEI caution

President Donald Trump said Tuesday he has some work for BigLaw firms that made pro bono pledges to avoid punitive executive orders.

Apr 9, 2025 10:41 AM CDT

‘Patenting Life’ shares tales from a career on the cutting edge of science and the law

Jorge Goldstein entered the fields of science and patent law at a time of immense change for both. In Patenting Life, he shares the fascinating histories behind some well-known medications, lesser-known scientists and groundbreaking court cases.

Apr 9, 2025 8:45 AM CDT

Future Forward: How lawyers can embrace sustainability

Sustainable development means more than “being green,” says John Dernbach, an emeritus professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School and the founding director of its Environmental Law and Sustainability Center. Rather, he says, sustainable development balances environmental protection, economic development and social justice.

Apr 1, 2025 3:00 AM CDT

DOJ trial attorneys vote to form its first known unions

Trial attorneys in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the Environment and Natural Resources Division have voted to form what could be its first unions, Bloomberg Law reported Monday.

Jan 14, 2025 10:41 AM CST

In ‘monumental moment,’ Montana Supreme Court rules for youths claiming right to clean environment

The Montana Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a state law banning consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in fossil-fuel-permitting decisions, citing a state constitutional provision that guarantees a “clean and healthful environment.”

Dec 19, 2024 9:01 AM CST

Landmark Chevron decision was overturned; what happens now?

A landmark ruling overturning Chevron deference has introduced vulnerability into the power of federal agencies—but attorneys are conflicted about the significance of the outcome, which they say may be much ado about nothing.

Oct 14, 2024 3:13 PM CDT

Bill would restore Chevron deference doctrine, create advocate to help citizens participate

A U.S. Senate bill introduced this week would codify the doctrine of Chevron deference, which allows courts to defer to agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous laws.

Jul 25, 2024 9:36 AM CDT

SCOTUS curbs agency power in ruling that ends Chevron deference; dissent dubs opinion ‘Hubris Squared’

Courts may not defer to an agency’s interpretation of a statute simply because it is ambiguous, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday in a decision that curbs agency power.

Jun 28, 2024 10:17 AM CDT

Family members sue networks after learning of loved ones’ deaths by seeing bodies on TV

Family members of a California couple who died in the 2022 McKinney wildfire have sued two television networks for broadcasting images of their loved ones’ bodies.

May 23, 2024 12:30 PM CDT

SCOTUS majority appears to embrace ‘Kisorizing’ or overturning Chevron deference, oral arguments indicate

Conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court appeared ready to limit or overturn the 1984 decision that established Chevron deference, the principle that federal courts should defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous laws, according to media coverage of oral arguments Wednesday.

Jan 18, 2024 11:05 AM CST

Supreme Court will consider overruling landmark Chevron deference decision in a fishy case

On Jan. 17, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether they should overrule a landmark 1984 decision often requiring courts to defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous statutes.

Jan 11, 2024 10:33 AM CST

Justice Thomas has ‘serious doubts’ about binding nature of mass-tort bellwether trials

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Monday expressed his “serious doubts” about using bellwether trials in multidistrict litigation to prevent defendants from relitigating issues decided in lawsuits by different plaintiffs.

Nov 22, 2023 2:38 PM CST