Energy

October 15, 2025
Hertz Must Face Investors' Claims Over EV Statements

Car rental giant Hertz Global Holdings Inc. can't completely shed securities fraud claims over its statements that it was seeing strong demand for electric cars that artificially boosted stock prices, a Florida federal judge has ruled, while also dismissing other claims in the proposed class action.
October 15, 2025
States Seek To Revive FEMA's Disaster-Mitigation Funding

A group of 22 states and the District of Columbia urged a Massachusetts federal court Wednesday to block the Trump administration's termination of a disaster mitigation program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, arguing such authority lies with Congress.
October 15, 2025
Mich. AG Urges Justices To Leave Enbridge Suit In State Court

Michigan's attorney general has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to strictly enforce the statutory deadline for transferring a case to federal court and refuse Enbridge Energy LP's entreaties to move her lawsuit seeking to shut down a pipeline out of state court.
October 15, 2025
5th Circ. Says Union Can't Take SpaceX Case To Justices

The U.S. Supreme Court appears unlikely to get a chance to review a Fifth Circuit decision involving SpaceX that entitles the National Labor Relations Board's targets to enjoin the cases against them after the circuit court denied a union's bid to intervene to appeal the August ruling.
October 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Solicitor Departing To Go In-House At Utility

Pittsburgh's city solicitor is preparing for her departure from government to move into the private sector as an in-house attorney for utility provider Duquesne Light Co.
October 15, 2025
Some Federal Workers Win Quick Block On Shutdown Layoffs

A California federal judge on Wednesday granted a request from two unions representing thousands of federal workers to immediately block the Trump administration from laying them off during the government shutdown, saying she believes the plaintiffs will show that "what's being done here is both illegal and is in excess of authority."
October 15, 2025
Oregon, Groups Seek Dam Changes For Columbia River Basin

The state of Oregon and several conservation groups asked a federal court to order changes to hydropower dam operations in the Columbia River Basin that they say will reduce harm to endangered salmon and steelhead.
October 15, 2025
Utility Co. Faces $3M Verdict For COVID-Era Telework Denials

A New York federal jury handed a $3.1 million win to two former workers who said National Grid illegally denied their requests to continue working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage their disabilities.
October 14, 2025
Enviro Group Sues To Block LNG Export Terminal Extension

An environmental group told a New Jersey federal judge that the Delaware River Basin Commission unlawfully granted a five-year lifeline for a delayed dock project tied to a proposed liquefied natural gas export terminal in the Garden State.
October 14, 2025
Relief Concerns Grow As Sectoral Tariff Actions Build

Importers' hopes for relief from industrywide tariffs are lagging alongside the trade deals President Donald Trump is trying to broker for some goods, while the administration's accelerated rollout of sectoral levies is also stoking concerns the government may be hamstringing its onshoring goals.
October 14, 2025
Mining Company Seeks Judge's Removal From Citgo Auction

A bidder in the sale of Citgo's parent company to satisfy billions of dollars of Venezuelan debt has asked to disqualify a Delaware federal judge from the forced judicial auction, saying it submitted the top bid of $7.9 billion but unfairly lost out to a competitor's lower bid.
October 14, 2025
Biden's Alaska Land Plan Faces Repeal After Senate Vote

The U.S. Senate approved the repeal of a Biden-era resource management plan for millions of acres of public land in central and northern Alaska, which the state's congressional delegation said unnecessarily restricted energy and other resource development.
October 14, 2025
Judge Won't Block $4.7B Ex-Im Bank Loan For LNG Project

A D.C. federal judge refused to temporarily block $4.7 billion in financing that the Export-Import Bank of the United States approved for a TotalEnergies SE liquefied natural gas project in Mozambique, a setback for environmental groups challenging the deal.
October 14, 2025
PacifiCorp Owes $26M In Latest Wildfire Trial

An Oregon jury on Tuesday ordered PacifiCorp to pay more than $26 million to the latest group of plaintiffs who fled Labor Day 2020 wildfires that the utility was previously found liable for starting.
October 14, 2025
Calif. Seeks To Dismiss Feds' Suit Challenging Emission Regs

California is asking a federal court to dismiss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's lawsuit challenging the state's emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks.
October 14, 2025
Mich. Urges Judge Not To Empower A 'Hall Monitor' DOJ

The state of Michigan has implored a federal judge not to give the U.S. Department of Justice any leash to preemptively challenge states' anticipated policy moves, saying "there would be no stopping point" to the federal government's interference.
October 14, 2025
BP Urges 5th Circ. To Overturn Retirees' Pension Suit Win

BP urged the Fifth Circuit to overturn a Texas court's ruling that found the oil giant liable to company retirees for miscommunicating their pension benefits' value following a plan conversion, arguing the lower court judge erred in certifying a retiree class and handing the class judgment.
October 14, 2025
Investment Adviser Can't Exit Suit Over Energy Co.'s 401(k)

An investment adviser failed Tuesday to escape a proposed class action alleging its poor advice cost employees of a Midwest utility company millions of dollars in retirement savings, as a Missouri federal judge ruled that plan participants' allegations are detailed enough to stay in court.
October 14, 2025
Delta Urges Court Not To Certify Class In Greenwashing Suit

Delta Air Lines Inc. is asking a California judge to deny a motion to certify a proposed class action accusing it of overstating its emissions progress and falsely touting itself as the "first carbon-neutral" airline.
October 14, 2025
Oil Trader Parent Appeals $40M Poland Award Enforcement

The parent company of what was once Poland's largest independent petrochemical and oil product trader has lodged a D.C. Circuit appeal that challenges a decision last month refusing to enforce a now-annulled $40 million arbitral award against Poland.
October 14, 2025
Madigan Ally, Ex-ComEd CEO Can't Delay Prison For Appeal

An Illinois federal judge on Tuesday rejected requests by the former CEO of Exelon subsidiary Commonwealth Edison and a former lobbyist to remain out of prison while they appeal their convictions for engaging in a scheme to illegally influence ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, saying what's left on appeal are not substantial questions and they aren't likely to overturn their guilty verdicts.
October 14, 2025
Minn. Tribe Sues 3M, Tyco, Chemours Over PFAS Pollution

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is suing 3M Co., BASF Corp., The Chemours Co. FC, Corteva Inc. and Tyco Fire Products, alleging they all made or sold products containing so-called forever chemicals that have contaminated the tribe's water supply and other resources.
October 10, 2025
$20M Gas Plant Verdict At Texas High Court Gets Settled

Arrow Field Services LLC settled with Linde Engineering North America Inc. after the latter secured a $20 million verdict, ending an appeal of the decision at the Texas Supreme Court Friday.
October 10, 2025
FERC's $1B Penalties Would Doom Energy Co., NC Judge Told

An energy efficiency aggregator told a North Carolina federal judge that it will go out of business without an order blocking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from imposing nearly $1 billion in penalties against it for alleged market manipulation and tariff violations.
October 10, 2025
Mich. Fights Feds' Support For Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline

Michigan urged a federal judge to reject the U.S. government's contention that its attempt to block an Enbridge Energy oil and gas pipeline segment is illegal, while the company said the government's arguments have merit.

Expert Analysis

Series

Performing As A Clown Makes Me A Better Lawyer

To say that being a clown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has changed my legal career would truly be an understatement — by creating an opening to converse on a unique topic, it has allowed me to connect with clients, counsel and even judges on a deeper level, says Charles Tatelbaum at Tripp Scott.
How Energy Cos. Can Prepare For Potential Tax Credit Cuts

The Senate Finance Committee's version of the One Big Beautiful Bill act would create a steep phaseout of renewable energy tax credits, which should prompt companies to take several actions, including conduct a project review to discern which could begin construction before the end of the year, say attorneys at Husch Blackwell.
Series

Law School's Missed Lessons: Rejecting Biz Dev Myths

Law schools don’t spend sufficient time dispelling certain myths that prevent young lawyers from exploring new business opportunities, but by dismissing these misguided beliefs, even an introverted first-year associate with a small network of contacts can find long-term success, says Ronald Levine at Herrick Feinstein.
Move Beyond Surface-Level Edits To Master Legal Writing

Recent instances in which attorneys filed briefs containing artificial intelligence hallucinations offer a stark reminder that effective revision isn’t just about superficial details like grammar — it requires attorneys to critically engage with their writing and analyze their rhetorical choices, says Ivy Grey at WordRake.
How New Texas Law Revamps Electric Grid To Meet Demand

A new Texas law enacted in response to the burdens that data centers, crypto mining and other large-scale users are placing on the state's electric grid means that stakeholders must review updated requirements around grid interconnection, disclosure of development plans and operational flexibility during tight conditions, say attorneys at Jackson Walker.
9th Circ. Has Muddied Waters Of Article III Pleading Standard

District courts in the Ninth Circuit continue to apply a defunct and especially forgiving pleading standard to questions of Article III standing, and the circuit court itself has only perpetuated this confusion — making it an attractive forum for disputes that have no rightful place in federal court, say attorneys at Gibson Dunn.
Future Of Enviro Crimes Under Trump's Federal Regs Order

President Donald Trump's recent executive order about fighting overcriminalization in federal regulations creates new advocacy opportunities for defense counsel to argue that particular environmental crime investigations and matters ought to be limited or declined based on the policy priorities reflected in the order, say attorneys at Sidley.
Series

Competing In Modern Pentathlon Makes Me A Better Lawyer

Opening myself up to new experiences through competing in modern Olympic pentathlon has shrunk the appearance of my daily work annoyances and helps me improve my patience, manage crises better and remember that acquiring new skills requires working through your early mistakes, says attorney Mary Zoldak.
Series

Law School's Missed Lessons: Teaching Yourself Legal Tech

New graduates often enter practice unfamiliar with even basic professional software, but budding lawyers can use on-the-job opportunities to both catch up on technological skills and explore the advanced legal and artificial intelligence tools that will open doors, says Alyssa Sones at Sheppard Mullin.
Texas Targets Del. Primacy With Trio Of New Corporate Laws

Delaware has long positioned itself as the leader in attracting business formation, but a flurry of new legislation in Texas aimed at attracting businesses to the Lone Star State is aggressively trying to change that, says Andrew Oringer at the Wagner Law Group.
How AI May Reshape The Future Of Adjudication

As discussed at a recent panel at Texas A&M, artificial intelligence will not erase the human element of adjudication in the next 10 to 20 years, but it will drive efficiencies that spur private arbiters to experiment, lead public courts to evolve and force attorneys to adapt, says Christopher Seck at Squire Patton.
How States Are Taking The Lead On Data Center Regulation

While support for data center growth is a declared priority for the current administration, federal data center policy has been slow to develop — so states continue to lead in attracting and regulating data center growth, say attorneys at Steptoe.
When Legal Advocacy Crosses The Line Into Incivility

As judges issue sanctions for courtroom incivility, and state bars advance formal discipline rules, trial lawyers must understand that the difference between zealous advocacy and unprofessionalism is not just a matter of tone; it's a marker of skill, credibility and potentially disciplinary exposure, says Nate Sabri at Perkins Coie.
Series

Volunteering At Schools Makes Me A Better Lawyer

Speaking to elementary school students about the importance of college and other opportunities after high school — especially students who may not see those paths reflected in their daily lives — not only taught me the importance of giving back, but also helped to sharpen several skills essential to a successful legal practice, says Guillermo Escobedo at Constangy.
DOE Grant Recipients Facing Termination Have Legal Options

Federal grant recipients whose awards have recently been rescinded by the U.S. Deparment of Energy have options for successfully challenging those terminations through litigation, say attorneys at Bracewell.