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Relationship Between Statutory and Tort Litigation. James Bruen Farella Braun + Martel LLP San Francisco. A Matter of Terminology. “Statutory Litigation” – We’re Being Literal Here “Tort Litigation” - Meaning Environmentally Related Common Law Tort Suits.
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Relationship BetweenStatutory and Tort Litigation James BruenFarella Braun + Martel LLPSan Francisco
A Matter of Terminology “Statutory Litigation” – We’re Being Literal Here “Tort Litigation” - Meaning Environmentally Related Common Law Tort Suits
Statutory and Tort Litigation – Up and Down Relationships 1. Statutory Litigation Can Give Rise to Tort Litigation and Vice Versa 2. Statutory Litigation Can Complicate Tort Litigation and Vice Versa 3. Statutory Litigation Can Eliminate Tort Litigation and Vice Versa 4. Statutory Litigation Can Co-exist with Tort Litigation 5. An Attorney Can’t Do One Without Considering the Other 6. Tips for the Practicing Environmental Lawyer Interrelationships Important to Both Litigators and Counselors Advisors Can Promote/Thwart Interrelationships Trial Lawyers Can Tie Advisors’ Hands
The Occidental DBCP Litigation
Statutory Litigation Can Give Rise toTort Litigation 1. Environmental Criminal Litigation 2 Environmental Agency Enforcement Lawsuits 3. Citizen Suits 4. Natural Resource Damage Lawsuits 5. Sarbanes-Oxley Litigation (For Non-Disclosure of Enviro Conditions) 6. Zoning Litigation 7. NEPA Litigation etc. With Respect to Any Statutory Suit – Breach of Duty to Environmental Resource • Tort Actions by Affected Persons and Property Owners • Tort Actions by Affected Company Employees • Tort Actions by Private Attorneys General • Tort Actions by the Real Attorney General
Statutory Litigation Can ComplicateTort Litigation State of New Mexico et al v. General Electric Company et al The Removal Phase Statutory Litigation Can EliminateTort Litigation State of New Mexico et al v. General Electric Company et al The Conflict Preemption Phase
Statutory Litigation Can Co-exist withTort Litigation 1. Common In Mass Tort Situations ….. A Symbiotic Relationship • High Publicity • Pressure on Public Officials “To Act” • Employees of Defendants May Be Conflicted • Environmental Justice Issues May Arise • Incentive for Government Counsel/Plaintiffs’ Counsel o Place Defendant(s) in a Two-Front War o Collaborative/Coordinated Litigation/Non-Litigation Pressure o Build Market Pressure Thru Continuous Negative Publicity o Use Gov’t Permit Applications/NOVs/Orders = Discovery o Force Settlement Thru Threatened Loss of Authorizations o Raise the Specter of Issue Preclusion 2. Case In Point…………………………The Gaylord Paper Mill Proceedings
An Attorney Can’t Do One Without Considering the Other 1. Common Witnesses 2. Common ESI and Documents 3. Common Internal Forces • Marshal/Coordinate Business Resources • Maintain Good Relations with Employees • Resist Scapegoating • Resist Spoliation of Evidence 4. Common External Forces • Market Reputation • Investor Confidence • Need To Maintain Ongoing Government Authorizations 5. Common Defense Themes 6. Interrelated Legal Risks • Issue Preclusion • Limited Fund Issues • Insurance – Defense and Indemnity
Tips for the Practicing Environmental Lawyer... in a Word “Speed” 1. Establish Order and Control 2. Establish EARLY Command of the Witnesses/Evidence 3. Promptly Notify Insurance 4. Decide Whether to Fight or Fold 5. Immediately Develop an Exit Strategy ……………… With Fall-Back Options • Divide and Conquer • Pick the Weakest Link……………………….……Pick a Winner & Try It • Turn Pockets Inside Out • Empower Facility Work Force…………………... The Union As Saviors • Use Legal Jujitsu…………………………………..The Mary Carter 6. Establish Common Themes & Communicate 7. Be Proactive With the Media, Industry Analysts, Regulators • Common Spokesperson • The Four Responsibilities 8. Establish Milestones and Litmus Test………………...Continuous Loop jbruen@fbm.com