Jesse Medlong

Sustainability, Climate Change, Responsible Business, and ESG

• Represented producer responsibility organization (PRO) comprising manufacturers of petroleum-based automotive products in negotiations with state regulators to have it recognized as the only official alternative to the principal PRO in US states with EPR packaging laws
• Regularly advises clients on reporting obligations under emerging mandatory climate disclosure regimes and on voluntary sustainability reporting and related stakeholder engagement and materiality assessment
• Advises clients across industries on compliance with multiple state EPR laws, including with respect to reporting obligations, eco-modulation, applicable exemptions, and negotiation with the PRO and regulators regarding the application of novel exemptions and alternative collection options
• Advises multiple consumer goods companies on marketing claims restrictions and other compliance obligations under California's landmark Truth in Recycling law
• Represents a sovereign country in negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Advised a private equity firm on ESG considerations and risks related to the acquisition of an infrastructure monitoring technology company
• Represents an environmental nonprofit in the creation of a nature reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the sale of internationally tradable carbon credits generated by the reserve
• Represented an energy commodities company in an enforcement matter related to California's cap-and-trade market, helping to reverse a decision to expel the company from the market
• Advised telecommunications-solutions company on San Francisco's antidiscrimination ordinance with respect to contract bidding process

Environmental Law

• Represented numerous manufacturers in regulatory enforcement defense and compliance litigation, from a wide variety of industries, including glass and packaging, aftermarket auto parts, chemical manufacturing, pesticides, electronics, over-the-counter consumer healthcare products, clothing, food products, and others
• Advises multiple manufacturers and importers of FIFRA-regulated products and devices at every stage from preregistration to going to market
• Assisted a major appliance manufacturer in avoiding penalties in a record-setting FIFRA enforcement action relating to allegedly mislabeled shipments
• Advised a major glass packaging manufacturer in a regulatory enforcement action alleging violations of RCRA's sham recycling rule
• Advised electronics component manufacturer in responding to regulatory inquiries related to EPA designation of an industry-essential chemical as a high-priority substance under TSCA
• Advises a leading global provider of innovative supply chain solutions on environmental, health, and safety regulatory issues
• Represented beverage bottler in obtaining settlement and dismissal of criminal complaint alleging violations of RCRA

Other Litigation and Disputes

• Defended a global transportation firm to obtain dismissal of all claims in an action raising novel theories of liability for urban paratransit transportation providers
• Represented individuals affiliated with the licensed gaming industry in overturning a state-law ban on political contributions on First Amendment grounds, obtaining summary judgment in federal district court and affirmance on appeal
• Represents major workers' compensation insurer in defense of multiple ongoing lawsuits and regulatory actions

• Helped develop and negotiate agreement to swap a debt in exchange for commitments to create and manage reserve area
• Served as lead drafting counsel for the Legal Services Corporation's Veterans Task Force Report on access to justice for veterans
• Successfully argued to restore the rights of veteran groups in the San Francisco War Memorial Veterans Building
• Negotiated on behalf of a developing country party under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including as a delegate to the 2015 climate change summit in Paris
• Taught a course on pro bono to Mexican law students at Universidad Panamericana
• Coordinated research team and drafted policy paper on direct democracy for the Public International Law and Policy Group and the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Advised nonprofit corporate clients on various regulatory and civil-legal issues

• Co-author, "Preserving market integrity," HC Insider, January 15, 2021
• Co-author, "Funding the Future: The Role of Private Parties in Internationally Financed Climate Projects," The Recorder, July 7, 2020
• Co-author, "A Global Firm Takes on Global Warming: DLA Piper and Georgia at the UNFCCC," International Bar Association Pro Bono Committee Spring E-Bulletin, April 14, 2020
• Co-author, "ESG: The rise of private ordering and the role of the NCGC committee," DLA Piper's Handbook, March 26, 2020
• Author, "What to Expect at the COP23 Climate Summit in Bonn," Pacific Council on International Policy, November 10, 2017
• Author, "Four Issues to Follow at COP22: Will We Always Have Paris?," Pacific Council on International Policy, November 9, 2016
• Author, "Globalization and the Ghost of Captain Ludd," Pacific Council on International Policy, October 5, 2016
• Author, "Quantum Lawmaking: How National Security Law Happens When We're Not Looking," 4 Nat’l Sec. L.J. 25, 2015
• Co-author, "Remembering Our Living Veterans," The Hill, November 11, 2015
  
• Author, "In Search of the Twilight Zone," ABA Young Lawyers Division Litigation Committee Newsletter, February 2015
• Co-author, "Honor to the Volunteer Attorney Who Serves Our Veterans," The Hill, November 11, 2014
• Co-author, "2013 Warsaw Climate Change Conference: mobilizing climate finance mechanisms," DLA Piper Climate Change Alert, December 17, 2013
• Co-author, "Courts Marshalled to Empower Veterans," Daily Journal, November 11, 2013
• Author, "All Other Breaches: State Practice and the Geneva Conventions’ Nebulous Class of Less Discussed Prohibitions," 34 Mich. J. Int’l L. 829–856, August 2013

Before joining DLA Piper, Jesse served for 10 years in the United States Navy, where he received a commendation for his professionalism in completing over 100 international maritime interdiction operations in the Persian Gulf without incident. After leaving the Navy, Jesse studied at the University of Michigan Law School. While there, he and a classmate led a team of student researchers conducting pro bono legal research to advise the government of Nepal in its ongoing transition from a unitary monarchy to a federal democracy. During law school, Jesse also served as an extern and International Fellow to the United States Mission to the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland, where he supported the legal adviser's office during the 22nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. He was also nominated by Michigan Law School to serve as a clerk to the International Court of Justice.

• American Bar Association
• International Bar Association
• State Bar of California
• San Francisco Bar Association
• American Society of International Law
• Pacific Council on International Policy
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Truman National Security Project Defense Counsel
• DLA Piper Associate Advisory Council

Civic and Charitable

• Board of Directors, BACK@YOU, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the unhoused citizens of St. Louis, Missouri
• National Veterans Legal Services Program's inaugural Advisory Council (former)
• Swords to Plowshares Pro Bono Advisory Board (former)
• OneJustice Advisory Board (former)
• New Leaders Council