Washington, D.C. — The Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute (HLLI) applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 17 decision in Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, which unanimously vacated the Fifth Circuit’s ruling and returned the case to federal court, where it rightfully belongs.
The underlying lawsuit alleges that oil drilling in Louisiana, as demanded by the federal government during World War II, makes the oil companies liable for coastal erosion, and the lawsuit has a $745 million payday for the lawyers representing the Louisiana parishes.
“HLLI is pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to keep Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish in federal court.” said Ted Frank, president and director of litigation at the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute. “These lawsuits seek to punish innocent businesses for participating at the federal government’s behest to support the military effort during World War II, and belong in federal court, and state courts are not well situated to evaluate those federal interests.”
Frank previously wrote about the case for City Journal in June, 2025.
Ted Frank, Director of Litigation and Senior Attorney
(703) 203-3848, ted.frank@hlli.org
###