Paul, Weiss Withdraws From At Least 4 ExxonMobil Climate Liability Cases Filed By Local Governments
The law firm that has helped Exxon Mobil notch significant victories in its battle against climate lawsuits from local governments has pulled out of at least four of the court fights. Exxon and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison attorneys this month notified courts in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine and Washington state that the firm would no longer represent the oil giant as it fights efforts by governments and individuals in those states to hold the oil and gas industry financially accountable for climate change.
The filings did not elaborate on the reasons for the moves, but noted lawyers from other firms would remain as counsel. While rare, withdrawals from cases are not unheard of and can be made by either attorneys or clients for various reasons. Paul, Weiss attorneys continue to represent Exxon in a number of other climate cases, including a longstanding challenge from Massachusetts.
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One of the members of the Paul, Weiss team that secured Exxon’s win against the New York attorney general’s office is now working for the oil company. Justin Anderson joined Exxon’s legal team in 2023 as assistant general counsel for litigation. Anderson said at a Federalist Society convention last November that defeating the climate liability lawsuits “is a big priority not just for Exxon Mobil, but for the entire industry.”
Paul, Weiss drew criticism last year for its decision to sign an agreement with the White House to provide free legal aid as a way to avoid being targeted by President Donald Trump. At the time, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, sent letters to Paul, Weiss and eight other firms that reached settlements with the administration, asking whether they would aid efforts to undermine climate action.
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https://www.eenews.net/articles/longtime-exxon-lawyers-retreat-from-oil-companys-climate-cases/
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