Defense Commentary On Supreme Court Decision On AEP v. Connecticut

Leading Defense Experts Available for Comment

CHICAGO, IL (Law Firm Newswire) June 21, 2011 – DRI – What: DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar has experts available to speak about the impact of the Supreme Court decision on American Electric Power Co., Inc. v. Connecticut.

Who: T. Sky Woodward phone: 410-545-5823
Defense attorney with and Member of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC in Baltimore, Md. Experience includes major product liability and toxic tort cases. Recognized as a Maryland “Super Lawyer” in product liability defense and in Best Lawyers for product liability and mass tort defense. Serves as national environmental counsel, devising and executing comprehensive defense strategies around the country, for a “Top 50” multifamily real estate owner/manager. Listed as one of Maryland’s Top 25 Women Lawyers and named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. Co-Author of DRI amicus brief on this case.

Daniel W. McGrath phone: 312-704-3482
Defense attorney with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Chicago, Ill. Practice includes product liability, toxic tort, environmental and commercial litigation matters, as well as mass tort and multi-district litigation. He is a well-versed expert in the AEP v. Conn. case.

Why: DRI filed an amicus brief in February, 2011 on this case that stressed to the Supreme Court that it should reverse the Second Circuit’s decision in order to bring fairness, consistency and predictability to public nuisance litigation seeking to redress alleged climate change injuries. Although DRI acknowledges in its brief that the respondents’ goal of reducing global climate change is laudable, pursuing a federal common law public nuisance action against a handful of arbitrarily selected energy-generating targets is an improper use of the courts in achieving that end.

When: immediate and ongoing

About DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar
DRI – The Voice of the Defense Bar is an international organization of defense attorneys and corporate counsel that is recognized as a thought leader and an advocate for the defense bar at the national and state level, as well as in Europe. With more than 22,000 members, DRI provides members and their clients with access to world-class education, legal resources and numerous marketing and networking opportunities that facilitate career and law firm growth. For more information log on to www.dri.org.

Media Contact: Tracy N. Schorle, 312-698-6276 or 708-828-0299; tschorle@dri.org, www.dri.org

Media Contact:
Vicki Bendure, APR
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Vicki@bendurepr.com

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