Experts from academia and legal practice will explore recent high-profile cases involving Volkswagen, Duke Energy and others as part of an Oct. 28 symposium at the University of Virginia School of Law focused on environmental crime. (Schedule)

Panelists will discuss the Duke Energy coal-ash case, in which 39,000 tons of toxic waste were spilled into the Dan River in North Carolina, as well as the Volkswagen scandal, which involved the company rigging fuel injection systems in order to pass emissions testing. A third panel will focus on what constitutes a criminal act against the environment.

“Environmental crime is an area that the symposium has not covered before,” said Michaela Pickus ‘17, project director of the student-run Virginia Environmental Law Journal, which provides a platform to discuss current environmental issues from a legal perspective and is sponsoring the event. “The cases that will be highlighted at the symposium are newsworthy, high-profile cases that exist at the intersection of many different areas of the law, from environmental law to substantive criminal law to corporate law.”

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Environmental Crime: Current Issues in Corporate Prosecution
Friday, Oct. 28

10 a.m. 
Breakfast

10:40 a.m. 
Introductory Remarks

  • Professor Jon Cannon, University of Virginia School of Law

11 a.m.
What Makes an Environmental Crime?

  • Tim Webster ‘91, Sidley Austin
  • Doug Parker, Earth & Water Group
  • Pete Anderson ‘91, Beveridge & Diamond
  • Moderator: Professor Cale Jaffe ‘01, University of Virginia School of Law

Noon -- Lunch

Duke Energy and Negotiated Settlements in Regulatory Law

  • Justin Savage ‘97, Hogan Lovells
  • Lana Pettus ‘03, U.S. Department of Justice
  • Brad McLane, Southern Environmental Law Center
  • Moderator: Professor Cale Jaffe ‘01, University of Virginia School of Law

1:15 p.m.
Volkswagen and the Future of Industry Compliance

  • Pete Anderson ‘91, Beveridge & Diamond
  • Tim Heaphy ‘91, Hunton & Williams
  • Doug Parker, Earth & Water Group
  • Moderator: Professor Jon Cannon, University of Virginia School of Law

 

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.