The Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in two significant cases that could redefine the court’s deference to executive agency powers in interpreting ambiguities in federal laws. Central to these two cases is the requirement for herring fisheries to fund observers used in governmental overfishing monitoring efforts. The two cases in discussion are Loper Bright…
The Supreme Court’s Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council ruling has constituted a legal pillar for almost four decades, guiding courts to defer to a government agency’s reasonable interpretation of an ambiguous statute. However, recent oral argumentation over three and a half hours suggests an altered trajectory, making the survival of the rule, known as…
On Wednesday morning, U.S. Supreme Court justices tackled the complex question of whether to reevaluate a longstanding precedent that gives preference to federal agencies’ interpretations during rulemaking procedures typically referred to as “Chevron deference“. The discussion surrounding Chevron deference is a contentious topic within the realm of administrative law. It originates from the landmark 1984…
On Monday, a court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, convicted four land rights activists, associated with the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC), of provoking a so-called “peasant revolution”. The Cambodian government accused the activists of plotting against the state, as a result of the activists’ discussion on the historical course of wealth distribution and land…
In the face of a generally sluggish deals market, 2023 managed to present notable moments. The year was marked by significant activity in the energy sector, largely benefitting from commodity prices, while the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors also excelled, thanks to strong balance sheets bolstered by pandemic-related cash inflows. Notably, overall deals activity dropped by…
London’s High Court has recently declared Dechert and former partner Neil Gerrard “100% responsible” for the superfluous workload while representing their previous client, Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC). Justice Waksman, presiding over the case, disclosed during the hearing that Dechert and Gerrard had sought to lessen the costs they were accountable for. However, as it…
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, a well-established law firm, has started discussions regarding the possibility of opening a new office in Houston. This would be the firm’s first ever branch in Texas. The move appears to be a strategic decision to strengthen the firm’s standing within the energy deals market. The law firm, currently…
Dec. 14, 2023 – In a move likely to strengthen the firm’s environment and natural resources practice, Juge Gregg, formerly senior corporate counsel for Amazon, has joined Crowell & Moring as a partner, the firm announced this Thursday. During his tenure at Amazon, Gregg served on the sustainability legal team providing legal guidance on the…
Global law firms Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling have recently merged, forming one of the largest players within the legal sector. With this significant combination, the top leadership positions within the firm are now up for election, with as many as eight prominent partners competing for the roles of the managing partner and…
Top multinational law firm, K&L Gates, has recently welcomed two highly experienced Justice Department lawyers, Varu Chilakamarri and Michael Culhane Harper, to the firm’s D.C. office. This strategic move is set to significantly strengthen K&L Gates’s environment, land, and natural resources practice, as well as its white collar defense and investigations practice. Varu Chilakamarri joins…
Two veteran lawyers from the Justice Department have transitioned their careers, joining K&L Gates firm in Washington, D.C., thus becoming the latest in a series of departures from the federal agency as the presidential election year looms. Varu Chilakamarri has joined K&L Gates’ environment, land, and natural resources practice, while Michael Harper has become part…
As the landscape of world legal matters continues to shift, these recent developments have made the headlines: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s former global head of tax, Ulf Johannemann, is “highly likely” to be found guilty of aiding and abetting tax fraud, according to a senior judge in Germany. The landmark trial has been in session in…
Maurice Thompson, head of energy, maritime and natural resources in Australia for Clyde & Co, along with the majority of his team, are set to depart the firm for Holman Fenwick Willan. Thompson, who is also based in Melbourne, leads the Australian aviation group and the global drones group at Clyde & Co. He will…
Continuing a recent trend of departures, Clyde & Co’s head of energy, maritime and natural resources in Australia, Maurice Thompson, is set to leave the firm for Holman Fenwick Willan along with most of his team. This move marks one of a series of high-profile partner departures from Clyde & Co. Maurice Thompson, who also…
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Prairie Valley Disposal, Inc., (Prairie Valley) have entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) on October 24th. The matter in question centers around an alleged infringement of the Missouri Air Conservation Law, according to case reference No. APCP-2023-026. This update is noteworthy for legal professionals in…
Haiti, a country rich in natural resources and arable land, has seen its economic situation deteriorate due to foreign interference, domestic political malfeasance, natural disasters, social instability, and epidemics. As a result, it is now one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere (CIA). The political instability in the nation has intensified following the…
In a recent move, Vanessa Richelle Wilson has been recruited by Akin to serve as a partner in their projects and energy transition practice based in Washington, D.C., as reported by Bloomberg Law. Having distinguished herself through her focused approach to a variety of energy transactions, Wilson features an impressive professional repertoire. Her experience spans…
In a recent decision made public on November 16, 2023, the Full Chamber of the Colombian Constitutional Court has declared the paragraph 1 of Article 19 of Law 2277 of 2022, unconstitutional. This law, prevalent in the taxation sector, had stated that royalties derived from the exploitation of natural resources were non-deductible from income tax….
Amid legal framework advancements, the Colombian Government recently ratified Decree 1384 of 2023, an adjunct to Law 70 of 1993, to institute new regulations pertaining to the utilization and management of natural resources in collective territories or areas owned by black, Afro-Colombian, Raizal, and Palenquera communities. This particular decree was issued as an extension of…
On November 2, 2023, a hearing was convened by the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources with the purpose to “Examine Opportunities and Challenges in Deploying CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) and DAC (Direct Air Capture) Technologies on Federal and Non-Federal Lands.” Opening statements at this pivotal dialogue were made by committee Chairman…
Established over a century ago, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has emerged as a major player in the energy deals market, amassing more than $90 billion worth of energy deals this year, outperforming any other law firm. This achievement comes six years after the firm, originally known for their litigation practice, made the strategic decision to…
In January, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in two key cases aiming to overturn a prominent precedent on deference to federal administrative agencies, as pointed out by legal reporter Amy Howe at the SCOTUSblog. Illuminating the calendar for the January argument session are Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce and Loper Bright…
Last month, a momentous gathering convened near Yosemite National Park for the annual Yosemite Environmental Law Conference. Professionals in environmental and natural resources law, came together as they addressed current critical issues encompassing aspects like groundwater regulation, coastal development, renewable energy development, and environmental justice. Included among the attendees were members from the seasoned team…
Norton Rose Fulbright has revitalized its international arbitration practice in Asia with the addition Of Kent Philips, who recently worked as a partner at Hogan Lovells. Law.com reports about this latest development. Philips, who has nearly 25 years of experience in the legal profession, has conducted arbitrations under institutional rules across major legal seats under…
Vinson & Elkins has recently welcomed Kilian de Cintré into their corporate and finance practice based in London, as reported on Monday. The addition of de Cintré to the team represents a significant strengthening of the firm’s corporate practice. With a rich career background primarily in Milbank, de Cintré carries with him immense knowledge and…