Daily Briefs

Wayne Law professor appointed to Flint water investigation team


Wayne State University Law School Associate Professor Noah Hall, an expert in environmental and water law, has been appointed special assistant attorney general for Michigan, joining the special counsel team for the Flint water investigation.

The special counsel team will investigate to determine if any state laws were violated and then potentially could prosecute under civil and criminal law options.

As Hall explained: Appointing the team was necessary because the Michigan attorney general must advise and ultimately defend the state and its agencies in this matter. Attorney General Bill Schuette has established an “iron-clad conflict wall” between the attorney general’s office and the special counsel team, allowing both sides to do their job properly.

Todd Flood, a former prosecutor, is leading the team. Andrew Arena, former director of the Detroit FBI office, also has been appointed to the team.

“I’m honored to serve the people of Michigan in the most important environmental law and public health case in the state’s history,” Hall said. “What happened in Flint is not simply a tragedy; it was the result of government failure and a breakdown of the environmental law system. For the system to work, government needs to do its job, and failings need to be held accountable.
Lawyers can’t make sick people healthy or bring back lives lost. But my hope is that our work brings justice, helps right the wrongs committed and prevents something like this from ever happening again.”

Hall joined the Wayne Law faculty in 2005. He has taught courses including Administrative Law, Environmental Law, International Environmental Law and Water Law.

Previously, he taught at the University of Michigan Law School and was an attorney with the National Wildlife Federation, where he managed the Great Lakes Water Resources Program for the nation’s largest conservation organization. Hall also worked in private practice for several years, representing a variety of business and public-interest clients in litigated and regulatory matters. He has extensive litigation experience and numerous published decisions in state and federal courts. He continues to represent a variety of clients in significant environmental policy disputes.
He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School and University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, concentrating in environmental policy.


 

Court Closings
 

The Third Circuit Court Civil, Criminal and Family Divisions will close at noon today in observance of Good Friday.

The 36th District Court is closed in observance of Good Friday.

In addition, the 36th District Court will be closed on Friday, April 8 due to Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day.

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