The National Law Journal (subscription) has named Lieff Cabraser partner Robert J. Nelson to its 2021 Energy/Environmental Law Trailblazers list. Robert is one of only 25 energy and environmental law practitioners in the U.S. to make the list.
The National Law Journal’s profile of Robert highlights his current role serving as co-lead counsel in class actions pending against Plains All-American Pipeline, arising out of the environmental disaster Plains caused when its pipeline ruptured, causing oil to flow into the Pacific Ocean, soiling beachfront properties and harming coastal fishers. “The jury found Plains guilty of certain crimes in causing the spills, and we are using the criminal sentence to consider restitution to the victims as part of the process,” said Robert.
The Journal also mentions Robert’s work representing a class of property owners and lessees in a lawsuit against Southern California Gas, involving the blowout of an underground storage well that spewed methane gas across the town of Porter Ranch California. The leak ranked as one of the worst environmental disasters in history due to its impact on global climate change and forced many residents out of their homes. “Our work is meant to be a check on the oil companies,” noted Robert, “and others that injure humans and their property and, hopefully, prevent disasters from happening.”
Congratulations to Robert on this outstanding accomplishment!
About Robert Nelson
The Chair of Lieff Cabraser’s False Claims Act practice group, Robert J. Nelson has played a leading role in Lieff Cabraser’s qui tam, automotive, aviation, mass tort, tobacco, and consumer fraud cases. He has served as court-appointed Lead or Co-Lead Counsel in numerous state and federal coordinated proceedings and over 35 class actions. Robert was lead trial counsel in a product defect case against Chrysler that resulted in a substantial punitive damage verdict, for which he was a recipient of California Lawyer Magazine’s Attorney of the Year (CLAY) award. He later received a second CLAY award for his work as lead trial counsel in obtaining a substantial settlement against the University of Phoenix, one of the largest ever achieved involving fraud against the Department of Education under the False Claims Act. Robert is a four-time nominee for CAOC Consumer Attorney of the Year. In 2019, Robert was named Public Justice’s Trial Lawyer of the Year for his work on the State Farm insurance fraud RICO litigation.
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