Environmental

Seeger Weiss Closes Boston Office, Pawa Relaunches His Environmental Litigation Firm

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Boston, MA — After four years of legal operations in Boston, Seeger Weiss, a prominent Mid-Atlantic plaintiffs law firm, announced it will be leaving the Boston market. The firm, known for its vigorous handling of complex litigation cases, initially expanded into Boston in 2021 under the guidance of then environmental practice chair, Matthew Pawa. Matthew Pawa, instrumental in establishing the firm’s presence in Boston, has decided to part ways with Seeger Weiss. One week ago, he revived his previous venture, the Pawa Law Group P.C., focusing again on environmental litigation. The re-launch of his firm … Read more

Legal Battle Surges Over Waivers for California Offshore Oil Pipeline Amid Environmental Concerns

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif.— The Office of the State Fire Marshal faces legal action over its decision last December to grant operational waivers to Texas-based Sable Offshore, enabling the oil firm to resume oil production off the Gaviota Coast without certain anti-corrosion protections. The issue stems from the controversial restart of a pipeline that was central to the massive 2015 Refugio oil spill, prompting a lawsuit filed by the Environmental Defense Center (EDC). In December, waivers issued by the fire marshal allowed Sable Offshore to operate the pipeline without cathodic protection, a critical safety feature designed … Read more

Peru’s New Forestry Law Stirs Controversy: Indigenous and Environmental Groups Warn of Accelerated Amazon Deforestation

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BOGOTA, Colombia — A recent legislative change in Peru that alters the Forestry and Wildlife Law has drawn severe criticism from environmental and Indigenous groups. They argue the amendment could fast-track deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the Earth’s “lungs,” under the pretext of promoting economic growth. Previously, landowners in Peru were required to obtain governmental authorization before transforming forested areas for other purposes. This safeguard has been removed, raising concerns that such a move could sanction years of illegal deforestation. Alvaro Masquez Salvador, an attorney affiliated with the Indigenous Peoples program … Read more

White House Targets State Climate Initiatives with New Executive Orders, Sparking Legal and Environmental Backlash

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Washington, D.C. – The White House has intensified its efforts to scale back climate change regulations, issuing several executive orders last week aimed at eliminating or weakening existing environmental laws. These directives have sparked widespread concern among environmental groups and state governments, particularly with actions targeting state-level climate initiatives. The recent executive orders mandate federal agencies to phase out or revoke regulations that they deem unnecessary, and instruct the Department of Justice to challenge state laws designed to combat climate change. This broad directive could impact a variety of state regulations, including California’s SB 1383, … Read more