Natural Resources

Global Water Resources Crisis Reaches Critical Threshold: UN Report Warns of Immediate Risks to Economies and Communities

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In a stark warning from the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the deterioration of global water resources is now reported to have reached alarming levels. The latest assessment underscores the challenges associated with abnormal water supplies, exacerbated by prolonged disruptions in crucial freshwater sources such as river flows, groundwater, and glaciers. The WMO’s 2025…

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EPA Faces Legal Challenge Over Repeal of Power Plant Climate Regulations

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faces immediate legal challenges following its decision to repeal climate rules for power plants. This controversial move has drawn swift action from a coalition of environmental and public health groups who argue that such a repeal would leave unchecked the nation’s largest single source of industrial climate pollution. The lawsuit,…

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Washington State Governor Appoints Bree R. Black Horse to Yakima County Superior Court, Expanding Judicial Capacity for the First Time in Decades

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a significant appointment, Washington State’s Governor has named Bree R. Black Horse of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP to the Yakima County Superior Court. This decision marks the first new judicial position added to the court in nearly 30 years. Black Horse, a seasoned litigator with a rich background in tribal and environmental law,…

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Arizona Legal Landscape Transforms as Fennemore and Gallagher & Kennedy Announce Strategic Merger

Pieter Gunst04 mins

Fennemore and Gallagher & Kennedy, two prominent Arizona-based law firms, have announced their intention to merge, effective December 1, 2026. The combined entity will operate under the Fennemore name, creating one of the largest business law firms in the state, with nearly 300 lawyers and legal professionals in Phoenix and more than 800 firmwide. ([fennemorelaw.com](https://www.fennemorelaw.com/fennemore-and-gallagher-kennedy-to-combine-creating-one-of-arizonas-largest-business-law-firms/?utm_source=openai))…

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Philippines Faces Scrutiny Over Charges Against Indigenous Protesters in Mining Dispute

Pieter Gunst03 mins

In a recent appeal by Human Rights Watch, Philippine authorities have been urged to drop charges against 11 Indigenous protesters arrested in late August. These individuals were taken into custody during a police operation that aimed to dismantle an anti-mining barricade in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. The barricade had been established by members of the Bugkalot/Ilangot…

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Jeffrey Clark Legal Disciplinary Battle Highlights Tensions Between Political Influence and Professional Ethics

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Jeffrey Clark, the former high-ranking official in the Department of Justice during the Trump administration, is at the center of a contentious legal struggle in Washington, D.C., over lawyer disciplinary actions. This matter has drawn national attention, particularly following the involvement of multiple state attorneys general. The case stems from Clark’s actions during his tenure…

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Controversy Over Proposed Changes to U.S. Roadless Rule Pits Economic Interests Against Environmental Preservation

Pieter Gunst04 mins

In the sprawling landscape of the United States, over 4.2 million miles of public roads traverse the lower 48 states, enough to reach the Moon and back nearly nine times. Within this extensive network, only about 5 percent of the land remains as untamed wilderness, designated as inventoried roadless areas. These areas are now under…

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Corporate Legal Landscape Shifts: Major Developments in COVID Mandates, M&A, and Antitrust Trials

Pieter Gunst04 mins

As corporate legal departments continue to navigate an increasingly complex economic environment, this week delivered several key developments that are likely to have lasting impacts. A significant ruling in the Fifth Circuit court means a setback for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s ability to enforce COVID-19 vaccination mandates among large employers. The decision marks…

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Operation Green Shield 2026: South American Nations Unite to Combat Amazon Environmental Crimes

Pieter Gunst04 mins

The announcement of a coordinated law enforcement operation across five South American countries marks a significant development in the crackdown on environmental crimes in the Amazon rainforest. Aptly named Operation Green Shield 2026, the initiative led to over 800 arrests and the seizure of hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal assets, including timber, minerals,…

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Environmental and Health Risks in Congo’s Oil Production: HRW Urges Transparency and Action

Pieter Gunst04 mins

A recent report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights significant environmental and health risks associated with oil production in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where Perenco, the only oil producer in the region, has been cited for practices that threaten local communities. These practices include gas flaring and waste burning, which continue despite existing…

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Coca-Cola vs. IRS: Exploring the Limits of Chevron Deference in the Age of Global Taxation

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The ongoing litigation between Coca-Cola and the IRS represents a critical examination of the principles established by the Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. decision. This case, which reshaped administrative law doctrines, is now being tested as courts grapple with complex tax disputes influenced by global profit allocation strategies. At the center…

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Greenberg Traurig Expands Energy and Natural Resources Practice with Key Hire of Toshi Yoshida

Pieter Gunst02 mins

Greenberg Traurig, a leading law firm recognized for its expansive global reach, has announced the hiring of Toshi Yoshida to bolster its energy and natural resources practice areas. This strategic addition underscores the firm’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities in sectors critical to current global challenges. Yoshida brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked…

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Trump Administration’s Public Lands Policy Shift Sparks Legal and Environmental Debate

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The Trump administration’s policy shift to remove conservation as a designated use for public lands has sparked significant debate within legal and environmental circles. The U.S. Interior Department justified the change by arguing that conservation practices often leave land “idle” when it could be utilized for commercial development. This perspective aligns with the administration’s broader…

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IRS Donor Disclosure Litigation: A Critical Examination of Judicial Deference to Administrative Agencies

Pieter Gunst03 mins

The ongoing litigation surrounding the IRS’s donor disclosure policy presents a significant examination of judicial deference to administrative agencies. The case, which questions the limits of the IRS’s authority to mandate nonprofit organizations to disclose substantial donor information, is poised to test the breadth of court deference as outlined in landmark decisions such as Chevron…

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Reed Smith Reinvigorates Energy Practice with High-Profile Partner’s Return, Fortifying California Expertise

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Reed Smith has welcomed back Jason Levy as a partner in its energy and natural resources group, emphasizing its focus on bolstering its California presence. Levy, an experienced practitioner in the energy sector, returns to the firm after having previously departed to join King & Spalding. He brings a wealth of knowledge in renewable energy…

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Spencer Fane LLP Expands Southwest Presence through Merger with Conner & Winters LLP

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Spencer Fane LLP, a Missouri-headquartered law firm, announced its largest expansion to date by merging with Conner & Winters LLP, a Southwest-based firm. This strategic integration, set to finalize on July 1, will add 75 attorneys to Spencer Fane’s roster, significantly bolstering its presence and legal capabilities in the region. This move reflects a growing…

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“King & Wood Mallesons Expands North American Reach with New Offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver”

Pieter Gunst03 mins

King & Wood Mallesons, a leading Chinese law firm, has announced the expansion of its North American presence by opening offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver. This move is driven by the increasing demand from clients in these regions, highlighting the firm’s strategy to bolster its global footprint and provide more localized services to its…

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Colombia’s Anti-Mercenary Law: A Step Forward in Human Rights Protection and International Compliance

Pieter Gunst03 mins

UN experts have expressed approval for Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s ratification of the 1989 International Convention against Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries. This move is heralded as a critical advancement in safeguarding human rights and maintaining international legal commitments. The ratification is seen within the broader context of Colombia’s long-standing conflict involving guerrilla…

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Mayer Brown Expands Tokyo Presence with Strategic Partner Hires Amid Industry Shifts

Pieter Gunst03 mins

Mayer Brown has significantly bolstered its Tokyo presence by recruiting partners Toshiro Mochizuki and Kana Morimura from A&O Shearman. This strategic move enhances Mayer Brown’s capabilities in capital markets and dispute resolution within the Japanese market. The addition of Mochizuki and Morimura follows the recent appointment of Masahisa Ikeda as the managing partner of Mayer…

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Oregon Jury Awards Historic $242 Million in Wildfire Liability Verdict, Signaling Shift in Mass Litigation Outlook

Pieter Gunst03 mins

An Oregon jury has delivered a significant verdict, awarding a record $242 million in a wildfire lawsuit. This outcome is poised to have substantial implications for future litigation involving natural disasters and liability. The case revolved around the determination of fault concerning a devastating wildfire that ravaged vast swathes of Oregon countryside, causing extensive damage…

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Scrutiny Intensifies Over Supreme Court’s Silence on Executive Deference in National Emergencies

Pieter Gunst03 mins

When the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled President Donald Trump’s tariffs, the question of presidential deference in emergencies was sidestepped. Legal experts are now scrutinizing how long the justices can maintain this silence. This ongoing debate centers on the breadth of executive authority during national emergencies and the judiciary’s role in evaluating the legitimacy of such…

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