Queries have started rolling in about the sudden boom in private law firms announcing to that they are getting into the global warming business. It’s an interesting development to be sure, but not without some risk that frothy press releases create an impression that tort-happy sharks have found yet another way to bite the American economy. Look for climate action opponents to stoke this argument in the coming weeks. 

Look a little more closely at what’s actually happening, however, and a different story emerges, one in which U.S. business is beginning to integrate global warming issues into their day-to-day business routine. Just like we have estate lawyers and contract lawyers, companies are now calling on counsel to provide expertise to help them navigate the fast-evolving landscape of global warming law. That’s a win for us, and a positive sign that we have graduated from ‘if’ to ‘when’ and ‘how’ as the central climate policy questions.