August update: A win for science
In a victory for climate science and academia, law professor and climate expert Rachel Rothschild has prevailed against a targeted legal attack designed to delegitimize her research and intimidate her into silence. As part of her legal team, CSLDF was proud to support Professor Rothschild in her case against a dark-money-funded group—a lawsuit that reflects a growing trend of legal pressure against researchers whose work challenges established industry practices.
Rachel, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan Law School, has been instrumental in creating a legal framework to hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for contributing to the climate crisis. This framework has helped build “climate superfund” laws in states like New York and Vermont, where corporate polluters must pay to cover the costs of infrastructure repairs, flood mitigation, and other environmental impacts caused by their products.
Not surprisingly, this work made Rachel a target of an industry that too often rejects both science and accountability. A shadowy conservative organization attempted to force the surrender of her personal emails, but Rothschild stood her ground – and won. Earlier this month, the chief judge of the Michigan Court of Claims dismissed the lawsuit against the University of Michigan, finding “no factual support” for the claims being made.
The ruling is a significant setback for anti-science legal challenges and is part of the growing pushback against aggressive attacks on individuals. Fortunately for all of us, there is intense and sustained resistance to such efforts by other brave researchers, as well as in the courts, the legislature, the scientific community, and the many individuals who believe that science is real and should be protected from political interference.
News & Events
CSLDF will be at Geological Society of America (GSA) Connects 2026, October 11 – 14 in Denver, Colorado! Please check our events page for more information regarding free, confidential 1:1 legal consultations during the conference, as well as our other presentations.
Climate Professor Rachel Rothschild Prevails Against Dark Money Attack
August 18, 2026 | Chris Marchesano
Last week, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan seeking the private emails of climate expert and professor Rachel Rothschild, a scholar whose research has been pivotal to the adoption of “climate superfund” laws. As part of her defense team, CSLDF is proud to have assisted Professor Rothschild in this litigation, helping to thwart another dark-money-funded attack on the scientific community.
A review of rescued climate data
August 13, 2026 | Yale Climate Connections
The Trump administration has shut down climate data projects and public-facing resources such as climate.gov. However, thanks to significant efforts by academics, journalists, nonprofit organizations, and others, that information has not been lost. It has been documented and, in many cases, rebuilt out of the federal government’s reach..
We remain committed to protecting and defending scientists. If you or someone you know needs assistance, please reach out for a free, confidential consultation with one of our attorneys.
Your support powers our work. If you are able, please consider standing with scientists during these turbulent times–and during our Summer Match, your gift will go twice as far!