Energy Companies Latest To Acquire Katz Patents

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008

Seventeen energy companies have bought a license for patents held by Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing LP related to automated call systems, the firm announced Tuesday.

Brazil's President Wants Oil Money To Fight Poverty

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008

The future of oil regulation in Brazil following the discovery of expansive reserves in the sub-salt layer of the Santos Basin last year is once again in the spotlight, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva calling for changes to the country's petroleum law that would channel oil-related profits to combat poverty.

Conoco Wins Appeal In $6.8M Drilling Contract Fight

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008

A Texas court of appeals has affirmed a trial court's decision granting energy giant ConocoPhillips Co.'s request for stay of arbitration in a $6.8 million offshore drilling contract dispute with marine consultant ODL Services Inc.

D.C. Circ. Strikes Blow Against EPA, Oil Industry

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008

Ruling against the country's environmental regulator and the oil industry on Tuesday, a federal appeals court struck down a 2006 rule prohibiting states from setting their own air pollution monitoring requirements.

Fried Frank Confirms Support Staff Layoffs

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008

In the wake of attorney layoffs at other firms, Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP has announced that it is letting go an unspecified number of its support staff.

Women Underrepresented In Partner Ranks

Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008

Despite a steady influx of women into the legal profession, women are still underrepresented in law firm partnership ranks, according to the American Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession.

Judge Tosses ECOA Suit Against JP Morgan Chase

Monday, Aug 18, 2008

A federal judge on Friday tossed out a lawsuit alleging that a unit of JP Morgan Chase & Co. declined to lend more than $100 million to a company owned by two black men seeking to purchase a Texas oil refinery because of their race.

Documents Shed Light On Duke Energy Class Action

Monday, Aug 18, 2008

Allegations that Duke Energy Corp. engaged in anti-competitive practices have gained steam in recent days as a former employee's wrongful termination case was settled and documents that could impact an antitrust class action were made public.

Spanish Agency Wants $33M Fine For Endesa Leak

Monday, Aug 18, 2008

Spain's Nuclear Safety Council recommended Monday that the government fine energy provider Endesa SA for the way it handled a radioactive leak at a nuclear plant in the northeastern part of the country.

$2B Texas Offshore Oil Port Project Moves Forward

Monday, Aug 18, 2008

Enterprise Products Partners LP, Teppco Partners LP and Oiltanking Holding Americas Inc. have signed off on an agreement to build a huge offshore port and pipeline system to deliver crude oil to refiners on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Skadden Recoups Energy Partner From FERC

Monday, Aug 18, 2008

Former chief of staff and general counsel of the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission John S. Moot has decided to return to his roots in private practice, announcing that he will rejoin Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP's energy regulation and litigation group three weeks from now.

Mass. Gov. Signs $1.64B Green Bond

Friday, Aug 15, 2008

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has signed into law a $1.64 billion environmental and energy bond, doubling the commonwealth's last green bond to support programs including land conservation and renewable energy.

Judge Lets Energy Interests Join Polar Bear Dispute

Friday, Aug 15, 2008

A federal judge has allowed a pair of trade groups representing the Alaskan oil and gas industry to intervene in a lawsuit over the polar bear’s protected status.

Senators Call For Probe Into CFTC Oil Price Report

Friday, Aug 15, 2008

A group of U.S. lawmakers has called on the Inspector General of the Commodity Futures Exchange Commission to probe a report released by the regulator last month refuting claims that speculators were responsible for skyrocketing oil prices.

Judge Sends Panda Energy Packing Again

Friday, Aug 15, 2008

A federal judge has knocked down a bid by Panda Energy International Inc. to revive a securities fraud case against Calpine Corp. that began long before the energy giant ducked into bankruptcy.

LGBT Initiatives Slowly Flourishing At Law Firms

Friday, Aug 15, 2008

When the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association launched its first annual career fair for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender law students in 2002, it drew about half a dozen mostly nonprofit recruiters. Six years later, a large chunk of the 150 recruiters slated to attend the event next month will hail from the country's top 100 law firms, signaling the increased focus that firms are paying to recruiting and retaining LGBT attorneys.

Earthjustice Appeals EPA Permit For N.M. Coal Plant

Friday, Aug 15, 2008

The environmental group Earthjustice on Thursday appealed an air quality permit that gives the green light to construction of a coal-fired power plant on Navajo land in northwest New Mexico.

W.Va. Judge Stays Surface Mine Expansion

Thursday, Aug 14, 2008

In a case pitting West Virginia environmental groups against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a federal judge has enjoined a coal mine expansion project on the grounds that it could cause irreparable harm.

U.K. Regulator Says Shell Oil Ad Is 'Greenwashing'

Thursday, Aug 14, 2008

As part of its effort to stop the extraction of fossil fuel from Canada's vast oil sands, the World Wildlife Fund won a ruling from a British advertising regulator Wednesday that says a Shell ad calling the extraction “sustainable” amounted to an attempt to mislead consumers.

Dorsey Unveils In-House E-Discovery Service

Thursday, Aug 14, 2008

Stepping up to fill the growing need for specialized e-discovery services, Dorsey & Whitney LLP has kicked off a new electronic document review service that can sift through files to decide what needs to be retained in case of litigation.