The National Law Journal Recognizes Susman Godfrey for Pro Bono Efforts to Combat...

The National Law Journal Recognizes Susman Godfrey for Pro Bono Efforts to
Combat Global Climate Change

HOUSTON, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Susman Godfrey is one of four law firms
selected today by The National Law Journal as recipients of the 2008 NLJ Pro
Bono Awards.
In this ambitious case, the firm represented -- to the tune of $2 million
in billable time -- the Texas Cities for Clean Air Coalition in its successful
efforts to block 10 new coal-burning power plants that would contribute to
global climate change.
Each year The National Law Journal singles out a few law firms that have
done the most to make sure that people's legal rights do not depend upon their
ability to pay. In this case, the legal rights belonged to cities and other
entities that were opposed to the new power plants. They could not afford a
top-line law firm to oppose the plants.
Late in 2006, TXU Corporation (now Energy Future Holdings) filed permit
applications for the new coal-fired plants. At the same time, an executive
order from the governor shortened the approval process from 18 months to just
six.
Texas cities went on the offensive. In a move that attracted national and
international attention, they formed the TCCAC and asked Susman Godfrey to
represent them on a pro bono basis. The TCCAC includes Dallas, Houston, Fort
Worth, Waco, El Paso, Plano, Arlington, Irving and 28 other local governments
across Texas.
The three-week hearing was set to begin on Feb. 21, 2007. The lawyers had
two months in which to gather and digest data, conduct depositions, hire
experts, submit written testimony and prepare witnesses. On the day that the
hearing was to start, a state judge ruled against the governor's authority to
accelerate permit reviews. The hearing was postponed four months.
Before the hearing could start, TXU announced a buyout by two private
equity firms. It also announced that it would withdraw eight of the
coal-plant applications. "We were disappointed not to try our case," said
Stephen Susman, "but happy for the win on behalf of our pro bono clients."
The TCCAC believes that Susman Godfrey's strong case pressured the company to
take these actions.
"The aggressive, relentless and comprehensive legal work that was done on
this case in record time caused TXU to rethink its environmentally unfriendly
plan," said TCACC Chair Laura Miller, Mayor of Dallas. "What this team did
will be remembered by the utility industry for a long time to come. People in
this country will no longer accept the construction of dirty, old-technology,
coal-fired power plants. Not even in Texas."
Six attorneys from Susman Godfrey worked on the pro bono case: Steve
Susman, Eric Mayer, Terry Oxford, John Turner, Ophelia Camina, and Michael
Diehl
About Susman Godfrey L.L.P
Susman Godfrey L.L.P., a law firm with more than 80 lawyers, was recently
named one of the top litigation boutiques in the country by The American
Lawyer. The firm represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of
commercial litigation matters, including antitrust, patent and intellectual
property, securities and corporate governance litigation, energy, commercial
and products liability litigation, bankruptcy and financial restructuring,
accounting malpractice, arbitration, climate change litigation, and foreign
and international litigation matters. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas,
Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York. For additional information, visit
http://www.susmangodfrey.com.
CONTACT: Steve Susman
212.336.8331
ssusman@susmangodfrey.com

SOURCE Susman Godfrey L.L.P

Steve Susman of Susman Godfrey L.L.P, +1-212-336-8331,
ssusman@susmangodfrey.com