Walking the Green Line: Ethical Pitfalls for Lawyers in Greenwashing and Corporate Marketing

Environmental attorney Meaghan Colligan Hembree will participate in the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources 33rd Fall Conference. Taking place in Arlington, Virginia, the three-day event will unite the public and private sectors for dynamic programming addressing trending topics in energy, environmental and natural resource law, from shifting regulatory enforcement priorities to notable U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Ms. Hembree's presentation will focus on ethical challenges lawyers face when advising clients on environmental marketing and disclosures. The discussion will take a closer look at the risks of greenwashing, exploring how to address regulatory scrutiny and litigation while fulfilling ethical obligations such as the duty of competence and attorney-client privilege. Panelists will also analyze real-world case studies to remind attendees of the consequences of misleading claims, best practices for ensuring compliance with advertising laws and the tension between transparency and liability.