Firm: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
Issue Area: International Human Rights
"Paul Weiss is defending Exxon Mobil against allegations that the corporation supported murder, torture and extrajudicial killings in Indonesia. The lawsuit, brought by villagers from Indonesia's Aceh territory, claims they and their families suffered human rights abuses while Exxon attempted to secure a natural gas facility in Aceh.
Note that Paul Weiss was sanctioned for its conduct in representing Exxon. The Court ordered sanctions after Paul Weiss attorneys called opposing counsel "unhinged" and "agitated and combative" without evidence. According to new reports, the episode led former Paul Weiss attorney Alex Oh to leave her position as head of enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission."
In its briefs, Paul Weiss argued for corporate immunity, stating "citizens cannot sue corporations for committing acts of torture or extrajudicial killing" and, more broadly, that "citizens may not sue for aiding and abetting torture or extrajudicial killing."