State of Rhode Island v. Lead Industries Association, et al.

AP&S attorneys defended Atlantic Richfield Company in the Attorney General's landmark lead litigation public nuisance case in the longest jury trial in Rhode Island history.  AP&S defended Atlantic Richfield Company, the only defendant found not responsible by the jury at trial.  AP&S also represented Atlantic Richfield Company on appeal where the Rhode Island Supreme Court affirmed the verdict in Atlantic Richfield's favor.  (All defendants ultimately prevailed on appeal.) AP&S also argued on behalf of all defendants with respect to their attacks on the Attorney General's contingency fee agreement with private counsel.  This case is the first of its kind in the country to go to trial and received extensive national press.  It was initially tried in the Providence Superior Court and ultimately in July 2008 the Rhode Island Supreme Court decided in favor of all defendants.  The State claimed $3-5 billion in damages and costs to remediate all lead-based properties in the state.