West Virginia (WV) Environmental Law CLE Course Catalog

Litigation regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances has continued to evolve, from product liability to environmental litigation to consumer class actions. Recent and forthcoming regulations continue to add new dimensions, potentially impacting multiple areas of legal practice and a variety of industries. Particularly, these claims have reached across the supply chain, including retailers and distributors, with novel legal theories, further underscoring the need to stay abreast for recent trends in this area.

In this course, securities law experts and SEC officials discuss the SEC's new rules to enhance cybersecurity disclosure, enforcement, and governance, requiring companies to report cyber incidents within four days and provide annual reports on governance and risk management.

Join us for a dynamic webcast event that delves deep into the complex world of Toxic Tort Litigation. Our legal experts Alejandra Reichard (Barnes & Thornburg LLP) and Marina Schwarz (Dechert LLP) will provide invaluable insights, discuss recent trends, and explore emerging frontiers in this ever-evolving field with a focus on PFAS Litigation and the rise of Litigation Funding in mass torts. Whether you’re an attorney, legal professional, or simply interested in the subject matter, this webcast promises to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in Toxic Tort Litigation.

As ESG pressures continue to intensify, GC's have become more likely to shoulder the responsibility of how to correctly measure, report, and decide what's appropriate for individual company goals. With these increased pressures from stakeholders, and regulators, comes the increased risk of falling into a greenwashing trap. This session will provide an overview of the impacts of environmental law on your overall business strategy, and how to identify and avoid greenwashing pitfalls, and other possible ESG risks.

ESG is multifaceted and continues to be an important priority for legal departments and overall organizational messaging. So many in-house counsels are trying to find their way to shape the foundation of a successful ESG program. Effectively building ESG considerations into your strategy and risk management framework will help support better financial performance and long-term business success. Attend this session to discover the value of involving ESG into your risk appetite, learn how to influence and hold decision-makers accountable for ESG goals, communicate the value effectively to multiple audiences, and ensure your business is prepared for the challenges ahead involving ESG regulations and consumer expectations.

In this program, experienced environmental lawyers Linda R. Shaw (Knauf Shaw LLP) and David P. Flynn (Phillips Lytle LLP) will provide the audience with a comprehensive discussion of the current developments and challenges surrounding bitcoin mining and renewable energy. Speakers, among other things, will also provide key considerations in switching to renewable energy sources.

The usage and the import of asbestos are facing greater scrutiny today as pressures from several US states continue to emerge along with the call for a tighter regulation on public health risks. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule prohibiting most asbestos-containing products, some uses are still legal, including asbestos diaphragms, sheet gaskets, and other vehicle friction commodities. Moreover, in a report released by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), around 750 metric tons of raw asbestos was imported in 2018. This is the largest amount imported since 2013 despite the amendments made in the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) as well as other federal laws allowing only a “limited use” of asbestos.
Join experienced asbestos litigators Timothy L. Krippner (Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd.) and Andrew M. Voss (Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.) as they provide a comprehensive discussion on the recent trends and developments surrounding asbestos litigation. Speakers will also offer practical compliance strategies in this rapidly evolving legal climate.

What would your company do if it ran out of water? For many reasons -- including climate change and population growth -- this is not merely a hypothetical but a real risk that your company needs to assess and manage. This program provides the guidance you need to evaluate and address the water risks your company faces while suggesting ways your company may be able to transform water risks into business opportunities. In the United States, cannabis is growing faster than any other industry and is expected to generate over $20 billion by 2020. But investing in cannabis, or doing business with companies involved in cannabis production or distribution, comes with substantial legal and other risks. This program offers practical advice to avoid the most common pitfalls when companies choose to invest in cannabis or do business with companies in that industry.

Given the massive amount of dollars being poured into ESG funds and the SEC’s renewed focus on both the funds and the companies in the funds, there is no time like the present for companies to engage in an assessment of their climate risks and how these risks and the status of the companies’ ESG goals are being relayed to investors.