Key facts
- Roger Worthington, a lawyer representing Multnomah County, Oregon, is facing a congressional grilling.
- The grilling concerns a $51 billion lawsuit against the oil and gas industry over climate change impacts.
- Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee are investigating alleged efforts to influence judges in climate lawsuits.
- Worthington has a background in high-stakes litigation, including asbestos cases.
- Worthington has been a significant donor to Democratic candidates and environmental causes.
Roger Worthington, a prominent lawyer spearheading a $51 billion climate lawsuit against the oil and gas industry on behalf of Multnomah County, Oregon, is facing a closed-door grilling by Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee. The committee, led by Rep. Darrell Issa, is investigating what they claim are efforts to influence judges overseeing climate litigation. The lawsuit, filed in June 2023, accuses the industry of contributing to a 2021 heat wave that resulted in 69 deaths.
Worthington, who previously earned over $1 billion representing clients in asbestos litigation, is no stranger to taking on corporate polluters. His involvement in climate litigation marks a new frontier, with observers noting that personal injury attorneys like him have the financial means to pursue these complex and lengthy cases on a contingency basis. The county is seeking $51.5 billion primarily for infrastructure and public health upgrades to mitigate future extreme weather events.
The legal and political battle over climate lawsuits is intensifying, with the industry warning of significant financial costs and Republicans in Congress seeking to quash such litigation. The Trump administration has also previously attempted to block similar cases. Worthington has criticized the congressional inquiry, accusing lawmakers of aiding the oil industry. His supporters, however, view the scrutiny as a testament to the impact of his legal advocacy.
Worthington's background includes a summer working at an Exxon Mobil refinery, founding a brewpub, and significant financial contributions to Democratic candidates and environmental causes. His legal team includes firms with experience in tobacco and opioid litigation. The case has also seen judicial rebukes and accusations of deceptive advertising from the oil companies, further complicating the legal landscape.