ATRA applauds launch of formal investigation into the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center

The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has expressed its support for a House Oversight Committee investigation into the New York University (NYU) State Energy & Environmental Impact Center and Bloomberg Philanthropies' involvement in placing private attorneys in public offices. This was announced through a press release by ATRA.

According to Federal Newswire, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee initiated a formal inquiry into the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law and its collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies. The investigation follows allegations that private attorneys funded by Bloomberg were embedded as "Special Assistant Attorneys General" in public offices. The inquiry was prompted by a letter from ATRA, which raised concerns about potential threats to government independence and due process rights. The committee is particularly focusing on the District of Columbia’s Attorney General's participation in the program and practices related to contracting outside counsel.

Energy In Depth reports that the State Energy & Environmental Impact Center was established in 2017 with a $5.6 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Its aim is to place private attorneys within state attorneys general offices to work on environmental and climate litigation. These "Special Assistant Attorneys General" are paid by the Bloomberg-funded center while holding public titles, which raises questions about transparency and accountability. States like New York and the District of Columbia have participated in this program, drawing criticism for potentially allowing private funding to influence public legal actions.

Reuters highlights that ATRA's April letter to Congress specifically called for scrutiny of the District of Columbia Attorney General’s decision to "hire" a private attorney through the NYU program and award contracts to outside counsel. The letter argues that such practices may undermine public confidence in the impartiality and independence of government legal actions, especially when private interests are involved. The House investigation is also examining whether these arrangements violate ethical or procedural norms in government contracting.

According to its official website, ATRA is a nonprofit organization advocating for legal reforms aimed at promoting fairness, efficiency, and transparency in the civil justice system. It focuses on issues such as lawsuit abuse, outside counsel contracting, and the intersection of public and private interests in litigation. The group regularly provides research, analysis, and policy recommendations to lawmakers and the public.