AG Kaul, Gov Evers Announce Outside Counsel for Potential PFAS Claims
August 25, 2021
MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul and Governor Tony Evers today announced the selection of the law firm, Sher Edling LLP, to assist the state in its investigation and litigation of potential claims arising from PFAS contamination.
The selection follows a competitive bid process overseen by the Department of Administration (DOA) in accordance with Wis. Stat. section 20.9305. In January of this year, DOA issued an open solicitation for law firms to submit qualifications to act as outside PFAS litigation counsel to the state. DOA received 11 proposals. An evaluation panel comprised of professional civil service staff from the Departments of Justice, Natural Resources, and Administration scored the submissions and identified the finalist proposers who then submitted bids. Sher Edling LLP submitted the lowest bid among the finalists and was awarded the contract.
“Clean water is essential to our health and well-being and to a thriving economy. We must protect it from PFAS and other contaminants that put people’s health at risk,” said Attorney General Kaul. “The addition of outside counsel will enhance our ability to get accountability from those who are responsible for the severe harms that PFAS contamination has caused in Wisconsin.”
The selected firm, Sher Edling LLP, represents state and local governments and other public agencies in significant environmental cases across the country. The firm currently represents public entities in multiple PFAS contamination matters and serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee of the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Product Liability Litigation.
PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of human-made chemicals manufactured and used for decades in numerous industrial processes and consumer products, which have made their way into the environment and are known to bioaccumulate in fish, wildlife, and humans, posing risk to human health. Wisconsin currently monitors nearly 50 sites across the state for PFAS contamination.
Other states, such as Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Vermont, have already pursued litigation against corporate actors responsible for PFAS contamination and have leveraged the funds derived from the litigation to support the communities most impacted.
Press Release: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/ag-kaul-gov-evers-announce-outside-counsel-potential-pfas-claims
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the PFAS Problem
- Lawmakers At Odds Over Releasing Health, PFAS Funds - Erik Gunn - Jun 6th, 2024
- Wisconsin Senate Votes to Override Governor’s Vetoes - Baylor Spears - May 15th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Sues Republican Legislators for Continued Obstruction of Investments Intended to Address Pressing Challenges Facing Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 13th, 2024
- Legislators Agree on Opioid Plan, Still Withhold PFAS, Hospital Funds - Erik Gunn - May 8th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Again Calls Republican Lawmakers into Special Meeting to Urge Immediate Release of $140 Million to Fight PFAS Statewide, Respond to Hospital Closures in Western Wisconsin - Gov. Tony Evers - May 6th, 2024
- The State of Politics: Voters Worried About PFAS in Water - Steven Walters - Apr 22nd, 2024
- EPA Slaps Two PFAS Chemicals With Superfund Law Designation - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 19th, 2024
- DNR Responds To EPA’s Designation Of PFOA And PFOS As Hazardous Substances - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Apr 19th, 2024
- Evers Won’t Rule Out Court Challenge to Force Release of PFAS Funds - Danielle Kaeding - Apr 16th, 2024
- Gov. Evers Vetoes PFAS Bill, Calls Special Meeting of Budget Committee - Baylor Spears - Apr 10th, 2024
Read more about PFAS Problem here
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