A federal appeals court has reversed dismissal of two class actions brought over the Flint water crisis, garnering a rare victory for plaintiffs' lawyers representing the city's residents.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on Friday ruled the U.S. Safe Drinking Water Act did not preempt constitutional claims, reversing U.S. District Judge John O'Meara's dismissals of both cases on the ground that he lacked jurisdiction.

“It's a good signal to many, many loyal clients and the families of Flint that we're back in business in federal court,” said Michael Pitt, of Pitt McGehee Palmer & Rivers in Royal Oak, Michigan, who was named interim co-lead counsel in all the class actions that were consolidated on Thursday. “This court should proceed with really strong legal arguments and legal theories to advance the case.”