Latest news with #ContinuingLegalEducation
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Environmental challenges in the E&P and midstream sectors
May 21—Join law firm Troutman Pepper Locke for an in-depth Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentation focused on pressing environmental issues facing the E&P and midstream sectors. This timely program will address the recent changes in Railroad Commission rules governing waste and pit permitting and will also provide insights into steps the industry should take to adapt to these new regulations. Additionally, they will explore ongoing air quality issues and the implications of the new EPA administration's policies on the oil and gas industry. The event is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. June 18 at Midland Country Club, One Wildcatter Way, Midland. Troutman Pepper Locke's expert panel will provide a comprehensive overview of the regulatory landscape, discuss compliance strategies, and offer practical advice for navigating these challenges. This presentation is essential for legal professionals, environmental consultants, and industry stakeholders who need to stay informed about the latest developments in environmental regulations affecting the E&P and midstream sectors, event information said. AGENDA 3 p.m. — 3:10 p.m. — Welcome and Introduction — Overview of the program and objectives 3:10 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. — New Waste and Pit Permitting Rules by the Railroad Commission — Detailed analysis of the new permitting rules — Implications for oilfield operations — Compliance strategies and best practices 3:30 p.m. — 3:50 p.m. — Ongoing Air Quality Issues in the E&P and Midstream Sectors — Overview of current air quality challenges — Regulatory requirements and enforcement trends — Mitigation strategies and technological solutions 4:10 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. — Navigating the New EPA Administration — Key policy changes and regulatory priorities — Impact on the oil and gas industry — Strategies for compliance and advocacy 4:30 p.m. — 5 p.m. — Panel Discussion — Interactive discussion on the topics covered — Experts in the field share hands on experience and valuable insights 5 p.m. — 6 p.m. — Happy Hour — Networking opportunity with speakers and attendees — Light snacks and beverages provided
Associated Press
10-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
How the DEA Is Trying to Railroad MMJ Biopharma Marijuana Cultivation in Defiance of Supreme Court Axon Ruling
'MMJ BioPharma Cultivation is engaged not only in a fight for justice but for the integrity of our legal system. As we stand against the DEA's disregard for Supreme Court directives, we are not merely defending our rights; we are upholding the principle that the DEA should not be above the law, especially not one that regulates medical progress. This isn't just our battle-it's a stand for every American whose life and liberties depend on the fair application of justice.' - Duane Boise, CEO of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 / The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is currently embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle with MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, a biopharmaceutical company developing marijuana-derived treatments for Huntington's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. But beneath the surface of this dispute lies a broader constitutional crisis: the DEA appears to be ignoring a landmark Supreme Court decision in Axon Enterprise, Inc. v. FTC, effectively attempting to railroad MMJ through an administrative process that the Court has already flagged as structurally flawed. At the center of MMJ's case is the argument that DEA administrative law judges (ALJs) are unconstitutionally insulated from removal, violating separation-of-powers principles. In Axon, the Supreme Court affirmed that federal courts have jurisdiction to hear structural constitutional challenges to agency proceedings before those proceedings are completed. The ruling was clear: litigants need not exhaust internal agency processes when the legitimacy of the agency's very structure is in question. Despite this, the DEA has continued to press forward with administrative proceedings against MMJ, seemingly disregarding the precedent set by Axon. Even more egregiously, DEA officials initially contested MMJ's constitutional claims, only to later concede that the DEA's ALJ removal protections are, in fact, unconstitutional. That concession should have been a watershed moment-an acknowledgment that the proceedings were tainted from the outset. Instead, the DEA has doubled down, arguing that MMJ must still demonstrate 'irreparable harm' to invalidate the flawed process. This tactic is a transparent end-run around Axon. The DEA is effectively saying, 'Yes, the structure is unconstitutional, but unless you can prove it harmed you personally, we get to continue anyway.' This ignores the Supreme Court's clear directive: structural defects don't require a showing of harm to warrant judicial intervention. The very purpose of Axon was to prevent exactly this type of procedural abuse. Further compounding the agency's credibility crisis is the ethical misconduct of its lead attorney in the case, Aarathi Haig. Haig has been found ineligible to practice law in New Jersey due to failure to meet Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements and other obligations-a violation of 28 U.S.C. § 530B, which mandates that federal attorneys comply with state bar rules. How can the DEA, which demands strict compliance from private parties, justify allowing an ineligible attorney to prosecute high-stakes regulatory actions? MMJ's lawsuit also highlights statutory violations by the DEA. Under the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (MCREA), the DEA is required to respond to applications within 60 days. MMJ's application has languished for over 7 years, with no final action-a glaring breach of federal law and a disservice to patients waiting for life-changing treatments. In a rare move that signals judicial recognition of MMJ's arguments, DEA Administrative Law Judge Teresa Wallbaum stayed the agency's own proceedings, citing the constitutional issues as 'novel' and worthy of federal court review. MMJ has since filed a Motion for Reconsideration, bolstered by the DEA's concession on the ALJ removal issue. The motion could revive the case in federal court and force the DEA to finally reckon with its legal obligations. Meanwhile, public and political pressure continues to mount. Lawmakers, legal scholars, and patient advocates have all called for greater accountability and reform. The idea that an agency can violate statutory deadlines, prosecute with ineligible counsel, and ignore Supreme Court rulings while holding others to exacting standards is not just hypocritical-it's dangerous. If allowed to stand, the DEA's actions will set a chilling precedent: that even when the Supreme Court has spoken, powerful agencies can find ways to ignore the Constitution. For MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, this is more than a legal fight-it is a battle for fairness, integrity, and the rule of law. And for the rest of us, it is a reminder that no agency is above accountability, and no American-corporate or individual-should be railroaded by the very institutions sworn to uphold justice. MMJ is represented by . Madison Hisey 203-231-8583
Associated Press
06-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Breaking: DEA Attorney in MMJ Marijuana Case Lacks Good Standing in Bar, Raising Ethical Concerns
Exclusive documents obtained reveal DEA Attorney Aarathi Haig, the key DEA attorney in MMJ's cannabis research constitutional Administrative Law Judge case, is ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing in the N.J. Bar due to compliance failures. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / April 6, 2025 / New Jersey Bar records obtained by MMJ International Holdings reveal that Aarathi D. Haig, a DEA attorney central to the agency's controversial handling of MMJ Biopharma Cultivation's Bulk Manufactures cannabis research application, is not in good standing with the New Jersey Bar. A February 2023 letter from the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners states Aarathi Haig is ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing due to: Failure to pay mandatory annual fees to the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, designed to compensate victims of attorney misconduct. Non-compliance with Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements, mandatory for maintaining legal competency. Lapsed status with New Jersey's IOLTA program, which safeguards client trust accounts. Haig, admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 2006, currently represents the DEA in federal litigation against MMJ Biopharma Cultivation. Her lack of good standing raises questions about the DEA's ethical oversight and due diligence in assigning attorneys to high-stakes cases. Connecting the Dots: DEA's Legal Team Under Fire The revelation comes as MMJ Biopharma's Cultivations federal lawsuit against the DEA alleges systemic corruption and unconstitutional delays in processing its application to grow research cannabis. Internal DEA emails previously exposed Aarathi D. Haig's failure to collaborate with MMJ's legal team on court filings, violating the procedural rules and the Supreme Court recent rulings on the DEA Administrative Law Judge hearing process. Legal ethics experts note that while DEA attorney Aarathi D. Haig's New Jersey standing does not directly impact her federal practice, it severally undermines credibility in a case where the DEA faces accusations of procedural abuse. 'This is a red flag,' said Duane Boise CEO of MMJ International Holdings. 'When an attorney tasked with enforcing compliance can't meet their own professional obligations, it erodes public trust.' Broader Implications for DEA's Cannabis Crackdown Aarathi compliance failures amplify concerns about the DEA's Diversion Control Division, already possibly under DOJ Inspector General scrutiny for alleged misconduct by officials Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait. Critics argue the agency's culture of non-transparency extends to its legal operations: Fee Misuse: The DEA's Diversion Control Program, funded by registrant fees, is accused of prioritizing enforcement over research approvals. Constitutional Violations: MMJ's lawsuit challenges the DEA's ALJ system as unconstitutional, a claim the agency conceded in part. Public Calls for DEA Accountability Intensify Advocates are demanding: Immediate audit of DEA attorneys' state bar compliance. Congressional hearings on the DEA's legal and ethical practices. Suspension of Haig's role in MMJ's case pending resolution of her continuing education compliance status. 'This isn't just about paperwork-it's about a pattern of disregard for the law,' said Duane Boise. 'The DEA can't demand compliance from others while ignoring its own obligations.' What's Next? The New Jersey Bar's findings add fuel to MMJ's federal lawsuit and the potential Investigator General's investigation. With cannabis rescheduling hearings delayed until late 2025, the DEA faces mounting pressure to reform its practices or risk losing jurisdiction over cannabis research entirely. MMJ is represented by . Madison Hisey 203-231-8583
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Breaking: DEA Attorney in MMJ Marijuana Case Lacks Good Standing in Bar, Raising Ethical Concerns
Exclusive documents obtained reveal DEA Attorney Aarathi Haig, the key DEA attorney in MMJ's cannabis research constitutional Administrative Law Judge case, is ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing in the N.J. Bar due to compliance failures. WASHINGTON, DC / / April 6, 2025 / New Jersey Bar records obtained by MMJ International Holdings reveal that Aarathi D. Haig, a DEA attorney central to the agency's controversial handling of MMJ Biopharma Cultivation's Bulk Manufactures cannabis research application, is not in good standing with the New Jersey Bar. A February 2023 letter from the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners states Aarathi Haig is ineligible for a Certificate of Good Standing due to: Failure to pay mandatory annual fees to the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, designed to compensate victims of attorney misconduct. Non-compliance with Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements, mandatory for maintaining legal competency. Lapsed status with New Jersey's IOLTA program, which safeguards client trust accounts. Haig, admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 2006, currently represents the DEA in federal litigation against MMJ Biopharma Cultivation. Her lack of good standing raises questions about the DEA's ethical oversight and due diligence in assigning attorneys to high-stakes cases. Connecting the Dots: DEA's Legal Team Under Fire The revelation comes as MMJ Biopharma's Cultivationsfederal lawsuit against the DEA alleges systemic corruption and unconstitutional delays in processing its application to grow research cannabis. Internal DEA emails previously exposed Aarathi D. Haig's failure to collaborate with MMJ's legal team on court filings, violating the procedural rules and the Supreme Court recent rulings on the DEA Administrative Law Judge hearing process. Legal ethics experts note that while DEA attorney Aarathi D. Haig's New Jersey standing does not directly impact her federal practice, it severally undermines credibility in a case where the DEA faces accusations of procedural abuse. "This is a red flag," said Duane Boise CEO of MMJ International Holdings. "When an attorney tasked with enforcing compliance can't meet their own professional obligations, it erodes public trust." Broader Implications for DEA's Cannabis Crackdown Aarathi compliance failures amplify concerns about the DEA's Diversion Control Division, already possibly under DOJ Inspector General scrutiny for alleged misconduct by officials Thomas Prevoznik and Matthew Strait. Critics argue the agency's culture of non-transparency extends to its legal operations: Fee Misuse: The DEA's Diversion Control Program, funded by registrant fees, is accused of prioritizing enforcement over research approvals. Constitutional Violations: MMJ's lawsuit challenges the DEA's ALJ system as unconstitutional, a claim the agency conceded in part. Public Calls for DEA Accountability Intensify Advocates are demanding: Immediate audit of DEA attorneys' state bar compliance. Congressional hearings on the DEA's legal and ethical practices. Suspension of Haig's role in MMJ's case pending resolution of her continuing education compliance status. "This isn't just about paperwork-it's about a pattern of disregard for the law," said Duane Boise. "The DEA can't demand compliance from others while ignoring its own obligations." What's Next? The New Jersey Bar's findings add fuel to MMJ's federal lawsuit and the potential Investigator General's investigation. With cannabis rescheduling hearings delayed until late 2025, the DEA faces mounting pressure to reform its practices or risk losing jurisdiction over cannabis research entirely. MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan. CONTACT:Madison Hiseymhisey@ SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings Related Documents: Image 4-5-25 at 5.01 PM View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shreveport Mayor discusses speed cameras, public works appointee, and blight
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Mayor Tom Arceneaux of Shreveport is set to present at a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) conference for the Louisiana City Attorneys Association. During his presentation at the conference, he will discuss the city's blight issues and his personal experience since 1981. The mayor also discussed Jarvis Morgan's appointment as the new Director of Public Works, highlighting his strong relationship with employees and his youth as beneficial for the administration. Morgan will focus on streets, drainage, and solid waste, with plans to improve bulk pickup. Lastly, the mayor addressed the implementation of speed cameras in specific areas driven by constituent complaints, emphasizing their role in addressing speeding, a major cause of traffic accidents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
