Our Firm in the News

Media Inquiry

In eight cities across the country, The Chanler Group, on behalf of the citizen enforcers and other whistleblowers it represents, seeks to uncover toxic chemical exposures and government fraud in our everyday lives, to hold those entities responsible for such violations of state and federal law accountable to the public, and to effectuate change for a cleaner environment.

To arrange an interview or to request information regarding The Chanler Group or one of our cases related to Prop 65, CPSIA, False Claims Act or Renewable Energy, please contact our manager of media relations.
 

recent posts - press articles

June 23, 2014
Clients of The Chanler Group, which included Brimer, Englander, Held, Leeman, Moore and Vinocur, together settled the most cases-192-for a total of $7,715,801 of which $1,307,980 went to civil penalties-with some of the highest percentages), $6,246,321 for attorney fees and for the first time, $95,500 payment-in-lieu of penalties to the Silent Spring Institute.  link to source full text
February 4, 2014
Excerpted from full article at San Francisco Chronicle: Deluxe Corp., which manufactures checkbook covers and other business and banking supplies, was accused of adding a chemical known as DEHP to its checkbook covers to make the plastic in them flexible. The chemical is considered a carcinogen under California's Proposition 65, which requires products to carry warnings if they contain harmful amounts of certain toxic substances. The Chanler Group, a national law firm with a... full text
January 31, 2014
Excerpted from full article at Environmental Health News:  A settlement between Deluxe Corp., a large, Minnesota-based manufacturer of checkbook covers, and a consumer advocate requires the company to remove a phthalate from checkbook covers or label their products with a health warning.  In 2012, California resident Russell Brimer alleged in the lawsuit that Deluxe Corp. was selling checkbook covers containing traces of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. Known as DEHP, it is used to soften... full text
January 6, 2014
Let’s say a product is made in China.  But the product doesn’t meet American health and safety standards.  Can an American law reach across the Pacific and force the Chinese manufacturing company to comply with U.S. law? Apparently yes. In September, the Chanler Group, an environmental law firm, reached a settlement on behalf of its client, Peter Englander, with a Chinese manufacturer of products alleged to contain the reproductive toxin di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, commonly... full text
December 30, 2013
Excerpted from full article at Environmental Leader: Two recent Proposition 65 settlements with Chinese companies are likely the beginning of a trend, in which foreign firms get taken to court over the products they sell in the US, according to an attorney familiar with such cases. In September, the Chanler Group reached a settlement with China’s Hangzhou GreatStar Tool Company, in the first example of California’s Prop. 65 being used for international prosecution. And last... full text
December 12, 2013
Excerpted from full article at Corporate Crime Reporter: The agreements require the Chinese companies to reformulate every product at issue to eliminate DEHP and to pay civil penalties totaling as much as $65,000, 75 percent of which will go to the State of California to protect and enhance public health and the environment. “A factory in China does not make products just for California,” Chanler said. “They make products for the entire United States and globally. So, if you... full text
December 10, 2013
Excerpted from full article at Prop 65 Clearinghouse: The Swedish-based furniture giant Ikea has reached an out-of-court settlement in a lawsuit alleging violations of California's Prop 65. The lawsuit, brought by the Chanler Group, a law firm specializing in Prop 65 litigation, accused Ikea of selling changing pads which contained the chemical tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), a flame retardant used in foam to meet California's flammability standard. link to... full text
October 29, 2013
Excerpted from full article at EnvironmentalLeader.com The Chanler Group reached a settlement with China’s Hangzhou GreatStar Tool Company, in the first example of California’s Proposition 65 being used for international prosecution, the law firm said. Plaintiff Peter Englander alleged that the company made and sold hand tools and stools containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), through major stores including Lowe’s and Orchard Supply Hardware, without the... full text
October 17, 2013
Excerpted from full article at San Francisco Chronicle: More than 30 furniture companies, including Ikea, J.C. Penney and Kmart, have agreed to settle for a total of $2.3 million in civil penalties after a Berkeley watchdog group alleged they sold furniture with high amounts of flame retardants in violation of California's Proposition 65. The Chanler Group, a law firm that represents individuals suing businesses over Prop. 65, claimed that the 35 companies had been selling... full text
October 8, 2013
Excerpted from full article at Furniture Today: More furniture companies have filed out-of-court Proposition 65 settlements in recent weeks for items containing the flame retardants TDCPP and TCEP. At least two more settlements from suppliers were filed with The Chanler Group, a professional Prop 65 litigant. The initial complaints cover ottomans, barstools, office chairs and folding chairs, among others, and involve chemicals in the items' foam padding. Prop 65 is a California law... full text