Oil and Gas Leasing: BLM Directed to Reduce Lease Review Timeline to Six Months Under New Interior Directive
On May 13, 2025, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued an Instruction Memorandum to streamline and accelerate the federal oil and gas leasing process. The memorandum directs BLM to hold lease sales within six months of
On-Demand Webcast: 2025 Wildfire Analysis — What to Know About the Environmental, Insurance, and Litigation Implications
On June 4, 2025, Latham & Watkins and Integral Consulting discussed regulatory, insurance, and litigation developments for wildfires in 2025.
By Marc T. Campopiano, Robin M. Hulshizer, and Steven B. Lesan
In light of the recent California wildfires, companies in the state and across the nation must navigate more complex regulatory regimes when
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County: Agencies Granted Substantial Deference in Assessing Project Scope and Environmental Impacts
In a significant decision interpreting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado on May 29, 2025. For certain projects, NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) that detail significant environmental effects of the proposed action along with
Workplace Recordings and Eavesdropping: Limiting Criminal and Legal Liabilities
By: Adam R. Young, Mark A. Lies, II, and Bret W.Vetter
1. Introduction
The ubiquity of smartphones and sensitive security cameras have made audio recording in the workplace more common. Some may be accidental, while other recordings may be intentional attempts document workplace conversations in secret. Both types of recordings can constitute felony
Third District Holds County Could Require Supplemental Environmental Information From Grading Permit Applicant As Condition of Application Completeness Determination Where Permit Submittal Checklist Alerted Applicant CEQA Compliance Would Be Required
Like a gift to land use lawyers that never stops giving, the strange and wondrous interrelationship between CEQA and the Permit Streamlining Act (“PSA”; Gov. Code, § 65920 et seq) continues to inspire litigation and require judicial explication. In a terse 8-page published opinion filed May 30, 2025, the Third District Court of Appeal explained the finer points of the rules governing PSA-required permit submittal checklists and completeness determinations and how they interact with CEQA when the latter applies to the permit at issue. Old Golden Oaks LLC v. County of Amador (2025) 111 Cal.App.5th 794. (And, it can be noted, CEQA should virtually always apply to “development projects” subject to the PSA, which do not include ministerial projects. (Gov. Code § 65928).)
Supreme Court Decision Limits the Opportunity for NEPA to Derail Projects
This post was co-authored by Summer Associate Alexandra Prendergast. Alexandra is not admitted to practice law.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent 8-0 ruling limited the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the national environmental law that mandates federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions before making decisions. In the
GT’s Energy & Natural Resources Practice Recognized in 2025 Chambers USA Guide
The 2025 Chambers USA Guide recognized the Energy & Natural Resources Practice of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP on its nationwide list. The UK-based publisher, Chambers and Partners, selects attorneys and practice areas for inclusion constructed from thousands of interviews with practicing lawyers and clients around the world. GT’s Energy Practice ranked in
Project Opponents of Empire Wind Strike Back
As recently reported, on May 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior reversed the stop work order it issued on April 16, 2025, thereby allowing the $5 billion, 2 GW, Empire Wind project to proceed. On June 3, 2025, a coalition of Empire Wind opponents sued the Trump administration in federal court in
House Proposes Cutbacks to Clean Energy Tax Credits
On May 14, 2025, the House Ways and Means Committee approved its markup of H.Con.Res.14, 119th Cong., 2025 (House Bill), which includes proposed changes that would modify substantially the clean energy tax incentives expanded by the IRA.
Requiring Security for Costs in Louisiana Litigation: A Strategic Tool for Defendants
In Louisiana state courts, litigation costs can escalate quickly, especially for a defendant. While a prevailing party is generally entitled to an award of costs, the prospect of bearing unrecoverable costs quickly becomes a serious concern for defendants when facing aggressive opposing counsel on a contingency fee and a plaintiff with limited financial resources. Even