Arnold & Porter LLP's Environmental Practice Named Law360's "2012 Practice Group of the Year"

Washington, D.C., January 28, 2013 -- Law360 has named Arnold & Porter’s Environmental practice to its  2012 “Practice Groups of the Year” list.

Law 360 noted that the firm’s team of environmental lawyers had a “long list of accomplishments in 2012.” These included convincing a U.S. District judge to strike down U.S. Environmental Protection Agency criteria for nutrient levels in Florida’s streams in a case in which the firm represented mining and fertilizer manufacturer, The Mosaic Co. The judge ruled in February that the EPA’s criteria for measuring pollution from the nutrients was arbitrary.

Other significant 2012 wins included the firm’s representation of the Detroit Diesel Corp. and other city bus and bus engine manufacturers in a matter before the Second Circuit. Firm attorneys argued that the federal Clean Air Act preempted state tort law actions based on companies’ failure to meet federal emissions standards. The Second Circuit upheld a lower court’s ruling that the act prevented states from enforcing emissions standards for new vehicles.  The firm was also noted for its extensive environmental work for BP related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Arnold & Porter was one of five firms that were selected for honors in the Environmental practice category. Law 360 Practice Group of the Year winners were selected in 22 practice areas from nearly 550 submissions. Editors made their selections based on significance, complexity, and size of matters in the past year.