The U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities emphasized federalism considerations in an amicus brief filed in the Third Circuit in support of the City of Hoboken, New Jersey's climate-change lawsuit, seeking damages for infrastructure injuries due to oil companies' false claims about gasoline emissions. CCL filed the amicus brief along with Janet, Janet & Suggs.

      The defendant oil companies moved the case from state court to federal court and resisted the return of the case to New Jersey state court on claims that it constituted a federal cause of action. The amicus brief filed today explained that municipalities, like all other plaintiffs, are masters of their complaint and have a right to choose the court in which their state-based claims are heard.