At the second annual Attribution Science and Climate Law conference, CSLDF and others discussed "Defending Science in the Current Political Climate" and how climate researchers have faced lawsuits, aggressive open‑records requests, and proposals to dismantle federal research programs.
NEWS & EVENTS
Find out how we’re protecting the scientific endeavor and putting our legal expertise to work for scientists.
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Press | News
Climate Attribution Conference Explores Science, Law and AccountabilityLearn More -
Press | News
Drinking water expert who helped expose Flint crisis sues Trump administration after EPA firingLearn MoreDrinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo is suing the Trump administration for its “zero-tolerance policy” towards dissent. In a federal lawsuit filed on June 22, she accuses the EPA of violating her First Amendment rights by suspending and later removing her from an EPA advisory committee.
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Press | News
Former EPA adviser claims agency violated whistleblower protections after petition criticismLearn More
“The Trump EPA is using their zero-tolerance policy to intimidate EPA scientists from doing their jobs to protect Americans. So this is my story, but it’s also the story of many others,” said Warn Betanzo.
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Press | News
Fired EPA Worker Alleges She Was Dismissed for Opposing ZeldinLearn MoreFormer EPA advisor Elin Warn Betanzo is suing the Environmental Protection Agency for its "zero-tolerance" policy toward dissent and for violating her First Amendment rights by firing her after she publicly criticized agency leadership.
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Press | News
Drinking water expert who pushed for study during Flint water crisis files lawsuit against EPALearn More
“Today I am continuing my fight for safe water by suing the Trump administration for violating my First Amendment right to free speech,” Warn Betanzo said. “The administration fired me and my EPA colleagues to scare public servants into silence. I’ve fought for safe drinking water before, and I will not be intimidated.”
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Press | News
Fired EPA water adviser sues over terminationLearn More“When I joined the NDWAC, I committed to protecting public health and safe drinking water,” said drinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo. “I’m fighting for the rights of all government employees and the safety of our drinking water.”
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Press | Press Release
Water Expert Sues EPA After She Was Fired for Signing Petition
Drinking water expert Elin Warn Betanzo has filed a federal lawsuit against the EPA, arguing that the agency violated her First Amendment rights when it fired her for signing a letter of dissent.
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News | Monthly Update
Reflections on the Fight for ScienceLearn More
Dismissing the entire National Science Board. Blocking the release of research findings about the benefits of vaccines. Cutting potentially billions…
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Past Event | Workshop
2026 AAG Department Leadership WorkshopLearn More
The 23rd annual AAG Department Leadership Workshop will help members respond effectively to challenges and understand the opportunities and constraints geography departments may face in the coming years. CSLDF attorneys will take part in the session "Safeguarding Academic Freedom," during which we will bring our unique perspective as a legal organization that supports researchers to complement the department-based viewpoints of our fellow panelists.
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Past Event | AGU
Webinar: Safely Exercising Your Free Speech and First Amendment Rights During Election SeasonLearn More
The 2026 midterm elections are fast approaching, and the stakes are higher than ever. AGU's Science Votes the Future webinar series will help attendees feel confident leading up to the election and at the ballot box. CSLDF will provide a primer on safely exercising our First Amendment rights in anticipation of the midterm elections. We will discuss how federal employees and those working with federal funds can responsibly engage in advocacy and activism, and how to do so in a current political climate in which many bedrock rights are under threat.
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