Environmental Law
We represent clients in complex environmental litigation, advocating urgently to protect communities, defend ecosystems, and promote clean air and water.
99%
99% of the global population breathes air exceeding WHO pollution guidelines,
causing an estimated 7 million premature deaths annually.
1
World Health Organization, “Billions
of
People Still Breathe Unhealthy Air:
New WHO Data,” (Apr. 4, 2022).
People Still Breathe Unhealthy Air:
New WHO Data,” (Apr. 4, 2022).
$14.7B
Volkswagen’s 2016 diesel emissions scandal resulted in a $14.7 billion settlement for alleged use of software to cheat emissions tests.
2
U.S. Department of Justice, “Volkswagen
to Spend Up to $14.7 Billion to Settle
Allegations of Cheating Emissions Tests
and Deceiving Customers on 2.0 Liter
Diesel Vehicles,” (June 28, 2016).
to Spend Up to $14.7 Billion to Settle
Allegations of Cheating Emissions Tests
and Deceiving Customers on 2.0 Liter
Diesel Vehicles,” (June 28, 2016).
8M+ MT
An estimated 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic enter our oceans each year, wreaking havoc on marine life, ecosystems, and the food chain.
3
Marta Fava, “Ocean Plastic Pollution:
An Overview,” Ocean Literacy Portal
(May 9, 2022).
An Overview,” Ocean Literacy Portal
(May 9, 2022).
1°C
The global temperature has risen by 1°C since pre-industrial times, and an additional 0.5°C could severely impact ecosystems essential to life.
4
Myles R. Allen et al., “Global
Warming of 1.5 ºC,”
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) Special
Report (2018).
Warming of 1.5 ºC,”
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) Special
Report (2018).
Deforestation claims 10 million hectares annually-roughly the size of Portugal-while even more is lost to illegal operations, mismanagement, and intentional destruction like arson.
5
Hannah Ritchie, “Deforestation and
Forest Loss,”Our World in Data
(Feb. 2021, revised May 2024).
Forest Loss,”Our World in Data
(Feb. 2021, revised May 2024).
The urgency of climate action is clear as we face significant challenges: increasing carbon emissions, rising sea levels, and ecosystems at risk due to pollution.
Our environmental law practice works to address these challenges by holding corporations accountable, advancing environmental regulations, and supporting renewable energy efforts. We advocate for policies that prioritize environmental sustainability and long-term ecological health.
Civil litigation plays a key role in driving corporate accountability, supporting initiatives like net zero, electrification of transit, grid decarbonization, food system innovation, and industrial cleanup. Eliminating carbon emissions is essential, and transitioning to nuclear power with companies like TerraPower presents a powerful step toward addressing the climate crisis.
Overview
Annually, human activities contribute to more than 40 gigatons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere (equivalent to the carbon sequestered by over 980 billion trees), exacerbating climate change and irreversibly altering the Earth’s natural balance.
Deforestation not only halts the absorption of 2.6 billion tons of CO2 by the world’s forests annually but also releases this stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.
Environmental Justice
Each year, people release billions of tons of greenhouse gases, including particulate matter and various pollutants from burning fossil fuels, into the atmosphere. These emissions are drivers of climate change and have a direct impact on health, including lung cancer—a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.
Civil litigation is crucial in holding polluters accountable and driving positive changes in policies that protect our environment and public health. We empower communities and individuals harmed by environmental hazards in class-action lawsuits, fighting to secure compensation for health problems and property damage caused by corporate negligence.
Human-induced climate change from burning fossil fuels and deforestation is accelerating glacier melt, threatening vital freshwater sources for billions, jeopardizing agriculture, drinking supplies, and increasing conflict over water scarcity.
Your Rights
- Legal Action: Individuals and communities can pursue class action suits against parties responsible for environmental harm, seeking redress and compensation for health impacts and diminished property values.
- Injunctions Granted: Victims can obtain court orders, or injunctions, to immediately halt activities that cause environmental harm.
- Cleanup Costs: Polluters can be held financially responsible for the costs of cleaning up environmental contamination they have caused.
- Restoration Claims: The law allows for claims that demand restoration of environments damaged by pollution to their original state.
- Whistleblower Protection: Those who report environmental violations are protected under whistleblower laws, encouraging the reporting of illegal pollution without fear of retaliation.
Annually, over 300 million tons of plastic are produced, with just 9% recycled, resulting in pervasive microplastics from ocean depths to Arctic ice, and massive CO2 emissions exacerbating climate change.
Lawyers' Role
- Corporate Accountability: Enforce responsibility for corporate environmental harm by promoting compliance with environmental standards and implementing restorative measures.
- Environmental Justice: Advocate for communities impacted by pollution, pursuing legal remedies and environmental restoration.
- Public Health: Challenge hazardous waste disposal and toxic emissions, seeking legal protection for community health.
- Class Actions: Lead impactful class actions addressing significant environmental damage, driving collective justice and reform.
How We Can Help
Litigating Environmental Harm
- Handle cases involving pollution, toxic torts, and climate change, fighting for the remediation and compensation of affected areas and populations.
- Achieve settlements to restore and protect affected environments.
Emission Reduction Litigation
- Support policies that accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and other green technologies to lower emissions.
- Litigate against industries that fail to comply with emission standards, promoting a shift towards sustainable practices.
Renewable Energy Advocacy
- Advocate for the inclusion of renewable energy into national grids, supporting infrastructural changes for cleaner power.
- Work with stakeholders to implement and support practices that prioritize ecological sustainability.
Sustainable Agriculture Enforcement
- Fight for legal standards that hold major agribusinesses accountable for environmental harm.
- Litigate to promote safe working conditions and prevent harmful agricultural practices impacting health and the environment.
Ecosystem Defense
- Provide legal defense for ecosystems threatened by corporations and government actions, ensuring biodiversity and ecological balance.
- Advocate against illegal deforestation and land use changes, helping secure protections and restoration efforts.
Industrial Accountability
- Pursue litigation against industries violating environmental regulations, compelling them to adopt cleaner production methods.
- Secure compensation to fund cleanup and restoration efforts.
Carbon Reduction Initiatives
- Develop legal strategies to help enforce the implementation of technologies addressing climate change.
- Advocate for laws and policies supporting the reduction of carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices.
Supporting Green Innovations
- We help protect innovations with intellectual property law to turn green technology ideas into impactful environmental solutions.
- We can aid in securing investments for environmentally sustainable projects, so they have the backing to thrive and contribute to ecological well-being.
Toxic Exposure Claims
- Represent those exposed to toxic chemicals, securing compensation for health impacts and cleanup.
- Litigate asbestos and lead poisoning cases, holding parties accountable for health impacts.
Address Environmental Damage by Emerging Technologies
- Hold corporations accountable for pollution from new tech deployments.
- Litigate illegal emissions and hazardous waste from emerging tech manufacturing.
Contaminated Community Relief
- Advocate for legal remedies and tailored compensation plans for entire communities impacted by toxic substance releases.
- Collaborate with health experts and environmental agencies to address long-term health and property recovery solutions.
