Presented By
The Planetary Lawyer Project is an all-inclusive online resource for lawyers who want to do more for the planet, including a bi-weekly newsletter sharing curated job openings, pro bono opportunities, interviews with industry leaders, and your next climate-friendly client.
Offit Kurman, a full-service AmLaw 200 law firm with offices across the United States, serves dynamic businesses, individuals and families. Founded in 1987, the firm's 280+ attorneys counsel clients across more than 30 areas of practice.
Green Pro Bono is a non-profit legal services organization with a mission to help non-profits and social entrepreneurs define their legal needs and provide legal assistance for environmental changemakers who otherwise cannot afford the legal help they require.
Speakers
Abigail Dillen
Abigail Dillen
Abigail Dillen
President, Earthjustice
Richard Yates
Abigail Dillen
Abigail Dillen
Clean Power Attorney, Environmental Defense Fund
Olivia Guarna
Abigail Dillen
Olivia Guarna
Climate Justice Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
Carrie Apfel
Matthew Karmel
Olivia Guarna
Senior Attorney, Earthjustice
Gary DiBianco
Matthew Karmel
Matthew Karmel
Senior Advisor, Lawyers for Good Government
Matthew Karmel
Matthew Karmel
Matthew Karmel
Principal, Offit Kurman
Founder, the planetary lawyer project
Brian Detwiler
Vincent M. Nolette
Vincent M. Nolette
Partner, Scale LLP
Vincent M. Nolette
Vincent M. Nolette
Vincent M. Nolette
Climate Law Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
Bridget Lee
Vincent M. Nolette
Nathaniel Mattison
Senior Attorney, Sierra Club
Nathaniel Mattison
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Nathaniel Mattison
Senior Fellow, NYU School of Law Guarini Center
Giulia Patané
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Program Director, PILnet
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Senior Staff Attorney, Public Health Law Center
Sponsored By
This program is sponsored by Lawline, an accredited CLE provider responsible for CLE administration.
Offit Kurman, a full-service AmLaw 200 law firm with offices across the United States, serves dynamic businesses, individuals and families. Founded in 1987, the firm's 280+ attorneys counsel clients across more than 30 areas of practice.
Full Agenda
Session I
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Keynote: Climate Advocacy and the Role of Lawyers
Abigail Dillen
President, Earthjustice
The conference kicks off with a virtual keynote presentation by Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen. Ms. Dillen will share insights from decades of environmental advocacy, highlighting how strategic litigation advances climate solutions and protects frontline communities. She will also discuss how attorneys across practice areas can contribute meaningfully to climate justice through pro bono work.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Climate Litigation Anyone Can Do: Inflation Reduction Act Litigation & Pro Bono Opportunities
Richard Yates
Clean Power Attorney, Environmental Defense Fund
Olivia N. Guarna
Climate Justice Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
Carrie Apfel
Senior Attorney, Earthjustice
Gary DiBianco
Senior Advisor, Lawyers for Good Government
This panel explores litigation arising from federal efforts to freeze or terminate Inflation Reduction Act climate grants. Speakers will discuss active cases, legal theories being pursued, and ways pro bono attorneys can assist communities, nonprofits, and grantees challenging unlawful funding terminations. While adversarial climate pro bono can be difficult for some lawyers to get involved with, the panel will provide manageable ways that all lawyers can do this type of pro bono.
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM - Lunch Break
Session II
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
International Climate Pro Bono: Lessons from PILnet & Partners
Giulia Patané
Program Director, PILnet – Global Network for Public Interest Law
Many lawyers dream of getting involved with international climate law, but believe that doing so just isn't possible for them. However, drawing on PILnet’s global pro bono network, this session explores how all lawyers can support climate action internationally using their existing skills. Participants will leave with practical ideas for engaging in global climate pro bono.
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM
The Power of Climate Pro Bono to Transform Your Career
Matthew Karmel
Principal, Offit Kurman
Founder, The Planetary Lawyer Project
Did you know that doing climate pro bono can be a way to take your career to the next level? Hear the story of one lawyer who started with a single climate pro bono matter and has built a meaningful career that includes a thriving private practice as well as a robust commitment to climate pro bono. Participants will leave with concrete ideas for how to apply climate pro bono in their own careers, no matter where they are or where they are headed.
(CLE will not be provided for this session.)
2:50 PM – 3:00 PM - Afternoon Break
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Intellectual Property Issue Spotting for Green Companies
Brian Detwiler
Partner & Practice Group Leader – Intellectual Property, Scale LLP
Zach Ruby
Counsel – Intellectual Property Litigation, Scale LLP
Jefferson Lin
Counsel – Corporate & Securities / Commercial Transactions, Scale LLP
Green startups developing climate technologies face unique intellectual property challenges. In fact, intellectual property issues are one of the most common needs in transactional climate pro bono. This session helps lawyers identify common IP issues involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, and explains how pro bono attorneys can help climate innovators protect and commercialize their technologies. Participants will leave with the basic understanding needed to advise on high level IP issues, and a path towards further learning as needed.
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
More Climate Litigation Skills: Supporting Amicus Briefing in Climate Litigation
Vincent M. Nolette
Climate Law Fellow, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School
Daniel Carpenter-Gold
Senior Staff Attorney, Public Law Health Clinic
Bridget Lee
Attorney, Sierra Club
Nathaniel Mattison
Attorney / Climate Policy Advocate, NYU Law School Guarini Center
Amicus briefs play a critical role in climate litigation and provides additional opportunities for lawyers to get involved in climate litigation in manageable ways. Panelists will discuss case studies involving climate policy, federal funding, and rulemakings while explaining how pro bono attorneys can support briefing efforts, coordinate among advocacy groups, and contribute through comment letters and model legislation.