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Supreme Court to decide Climate Change Case

Green Building Law Update

The plaintiff is the municipal government of Baltimore, Maryland. Like a number of other state and local governments, Baltimore City filed this action against energy companies in Maryland state court, seeking to recover damages under state law for harms that it claims it has sustained and will sustain due to global climate change.

Baltimore 207
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Net Zero Pledges by Businesses are Fraught with Risk

Green Building Law Update

Businesses making a net zero claim like, “we will be net zero by 2030” risk a charge that they are misleading consumers. It is one thing when a political leaders in a government make an ESG claim. But it is another thing for a business to make ESG claims about net zero or otherwise that mislead customers.

Risk 156
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ESG is Not Just for Public Companies

Green Building Law Update

I am excited to be presenting a fast paced and fun one hour virtual program, “Environmental Social Governance (ESG) an Emergent and Fast Growing Area of the Law” for the Maryland State Bar Association, and Not just for lawyers, on December 14, 2021 at noon. Register today for the live virtual program. yes, this blog will continue).

Maryland 177
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COVID 19 Commercial Building Liability

Green Building Law Update

With all 50 states now in some stage of reopening from coronavirus pandemic closures, many commercial real estate owners are questioning if they can be liable for damages when someone, whether an employee of the business tenant or someone else, claims to have contracted COVID-19 at their building.

Liability 177
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LEED can Mitigate Legal Risks in ESG Disclosures

Green Building Law Update

And today environmental groups are alleging greenwashing and intentional misrepresentation, including claims in contravention of the Federal Trade Commission Green Guides, targeting companies making ESG assertions. By way of example, we recently penned a blog post about Maryland Enacting A Corporate Diversity Benchmark in ESG.

Legal 156
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COVID-19 Liability for Building Owners

Green Building Law Update

And these questions are not unfounded because as of November 1, 2020, legal industry databases of state and federal litigation are tracking more than 6,100 cases involving Covid-19 claims. Moreover, an invitee cannot maintain a negligence suit merely from a showing that an injury was sustained in the defendant’s building.

Liability 293
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Gleaning the Direction of ESG Regulation

Green Building Law Update

As attorneys we assist companies capturing opportunities while mitigating risks, including because our ESG efforts can be subject to attorney client privilege and confidential work product, it is our focused long term experience in sustainability law that truly advantages our clients in leveraging ESG risk as a business opportunity.