An ELI Public Webinar
While toxic pollution is not a new problem, scientific evidence and public awareness of associated human health and environmental impacts are driving a surge of litigation. In this rapidly evolving field, litigation strategies have broadened beyond traditional tort law to combine personal injury allegations, environmental contamination theories, consumer protection laws, public nuisance claims, and more, reshaping the legal landscape in the United States. In response to growing concerns over chemical exposures, ELI’s Toxics Litigation Project develops resources that track and analyze litigation and regulation in this field, with space to identify meaningful opportunities toward making the world a healthier place.
Join the Environmental Law Institute and leading experts on crosscutting toxics issues to discuss the project’s new report, Current Trends in Toxics Litigation. This report analyzes the current landscape of toxics litigation in the United States, focusing on four key substances: pesticides, PFAS, petrochemicals, and plastics. We will discuss major developments in the field, contaminants of note, the future of toxics litigation, and more.
Speakers:
Cecilia Diedrich, Staff Attorney, Environmental Law Institute, Moderator
Patrick Boyle, Corporate Accountability Attorney (Plastics and Petrochemicals), Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
Eve Gartner, Director of Crosscutting Toxics Strategies, Earthjustice
James B. Pollack, Partner, Marten Law
Margaret Von Rotz, Public Interest Environmental Law Fellow, Environmental Law Institute
Materials:
Cecilia Diedrich, Margaret Von Rotz, Regina Buono, & Leah Fattor, Current Trends in Toxics Litigation, Environmental Law Institute (2026).
Monsanto v. Durnell: Federal Preemption, Roundup, and the Future of Pesticide Liability, People Places Planet podcast (2026).
The public will have access to a recording of this session (usually posted within 3-5 business days). If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to archived sessions like this one, see the many benefits of membership and how to join.