Environmental and Catastrophic Events

As climate-related risks rapidly intensify, companies are experiencing newfound legal and enforcement vulnerabilities with significant business implications. These business risks from environmental litigation are outpacing regulatory frameworks and now span allegations ranging from infrastructure-design shortcomings to negligence, public safety lapses, securities misstatements, fiduciary duty breaches, and environmental harms.

Our nationally recognized attorneys navigate the developing regulatory landscape, craft creative strategies in civil and government enforcement suits, and offer dynamic tactics and a track record to prepare companies for serious environmental events and guide them through their legal impacts.

Navigating novel challenges in times of crisis

Advising on disaster response preparedness

Well-prepared organizations proactively strengthen their disaster response and preparedness protocols before a crisis arises. Our team offers meaningful support on the advisory side. We help clients review and benchmark their current disaster response plans against industry standards, identify gaps or critical deficiencies, and recommend practical strategies for effective training and implementation. This proactive, prelitigation engagement ensures our clients are equipped with demonstrably sound and defensible plans—mitigating litigation risks and, more importantly, helping to save lives. By partnering with us early, clients are positioned for success both in preventing crises and in mounting the best possible defense should litigation occur.

Immediate response aftermath

Our environmental and catastrophic events team develops bespoke “first-48-hour” playbooks that guide legal, risk, communications, and executive teams through each stage of a crisis response. These guides are instrumental in the immediate aftermath of a crisis event, addressing investigations, document and evidence preservation, communication and coordination, regulatory and local agency and community outreach, and preparation for civil litigation and government inquiries by local prosecutors, state and federal regulators or members of Congress. By helping clients establish strong governance frameworks, we empower them to strategically respond in time sensitive situations to effectively manage litigation and regulatory risks.

Business-focused holistic strategies

Drawing on experience from dozens of national crises—including wildfires, extreme weather events, and unexpected pollutant discharges —we deliver business-focused solutions that strengthen companies’ crisis response, mitigate litigation and enforcement risks, and protect long-term value. We are trusted advisors in high-stakes crisis litigation and are regularly appointed as national and regional coordinating counsel for companies involved in class action and mass torts litigation. Our cross-disciplinary team includes former members of government response agencies and leverages subject matter experience in high-profile environmental, product liability, mass tort, and class action claims to develop holistic strategies that protect companies’ long-term business interests.

Litigating industry-shaping environmental crisis cases

We are at the forefront of industry-shaping environmental crisis cases alleging negligence, strict liability, and more novel claims. Our lawyers represent the world’s largest companies in high-stakes disputes arising from catastrophic events with the potential to transform business practices across major industries including utilities, insurance, and technology. We litigate emerging threats with precision—developing tailored strategies and navigating complex legal gray areas. We are trusted by Fortune 500 clients to defend and win novel, precedent-setting lawsuits arising from critical weather events.

WILDFIRE

Key member of utility monitor team involving wildfires
Served as key member of utility monitor team appointed to oversee operations in relation to wildfires. Contributed to oversight and ensured compliance with safety regulations, including site inspections, data analysis, reporting, and compliance monitoring.

Deterred enforcement and defeated class action over California wildfires
Defended telecommunications company in more than 25 lawsuits and government investigations relating to California wildfires. Successfully resolved criminal investigation and regulatory investigation without charges or liability. Defeated litigation seeking to represent a putative class of 100,000 evacuated residents, based on arguments regarding timeliness and individualized damages.

MAJOR FIRE INCIDENTS & MASS TORTS

Secured Third Circuit win for Arconic in Grenfell Tower mass tort dismissal
Achieved a significant win for Arconic Inc. and its affiliates in a mass tort suit before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed dismissal of claims arising from the largest mass tragedy in the UK since World War II – the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017.

Defended six class action and 2000 individual lawsuits from chemical distribution center fire
Represented an international pool chemical manufacturer after a warehouse facility fire by crafting and initiating a claims center and defending six class action and 2000 individual lawsuits.

UTILITY & INFRASTRUCTURE DISASTERS

Defended state utility regulator under investigation in connection with gas explosion and fire
Represented a state utility regulator under investigation by the state's Attorney General and the US Department of Justice in connection with a major gas explosion and fire, and the closing of a nuclear power plant.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION & SPILLS

Defended recycler in waste oil spill from flash freeze
Represented multinational waste oil recycler in headline-grabbing large land-based oil spill, caused by equipment damage from unprecedented freeze event. Navigated cleanup and response and defended ensuing environmental enforcement actions and litigations.