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The Climate Litigation Database
Litigation

People of the State of New York v. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Date
2016
Geography
New York
Part of
People of State of New York v. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

About this case

Filing year
2016
Status
Trial court order affirmed.
Geography
Docket number
n/a
Court/admin entity
United States → State Courts → N.Y. App. Div.
Case category
Securities and Financial Regulation
Principal law
United States → New York Martin Act
At issue
Action by New York Attorney General to compel compliance with subpoenas issued in its investigation of Exxon Mobil Corporation's climate change disclosures.

Documents

Filing Date
Type
Action Taken
Document
Summary
05/23/2017
Decision
Trial court order affirmed.
View
The New York Appellate Division affirmed a trial court order requiring Exxon Mobil Corporation’s (Exxon’s) accounting firm to comply with a subpoena from the New York State Attorney General in its investigation into Exxon’s climate change-related disclosures. The Appellate Division ruled that the court below had properly found that New York law on privilege applied and did not recognize an accountant-client privilege. The appellate court rejected Exxon’s contention that courts should apply an “interest-balancing analysis” to decide whether New York or Texas choice of law should govern the evidentiary privilege.
12/07/2016
Brief
Brief filed by New York Attorney General opposing reversal of trial court order.
View
–
11/07/2016
Brief
Brief filed by Exxon Mobil corporation.
View
Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon) filed a brief arguing that the New York Appellate Division should reverse a trial court ruling that an evidentiary accountant-client privilege created by Texas law did not bar the trial court from ordering Exxon's accounting firm to produce certain documents.

Summary

Action by New York Attorney General to compel compliance with subpoenas issued in its investigation of Exxon Mobil Corporation's climate change disclosures.