Deep Dive 172 – Third-Party Payments in Government Litigation Settlements

In June of 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo prohibiting the Department of Justice from directing settlement payments to non-governmental third parties that are "neither victims nor parties to the lawsuits" when the Department is engaged in litigation. The memo halted a practice that was utilized by the Bush and Obama administrations and now may make a return under the Biden administration.<br /><br />Some view these third-party payments in government litigation settlements as an unconstitutional encroachment on Congress's spending power that should remain proscribed, but some see them as a legitimate measure to advance policy goals, particularly when it comes to environmental enforcement.<br /><br />On April 14, the Federalist Society's Regulatory Transparency Project and Practice Groups hosted a webinar featuring experts on both sides of the issue discussing the practice and whether it will – and should – be utilized once again by the new administration.<br /><br />Featuring:<br />- Ryan Dean Newman, Former Acting Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Policy, United States Department of Justice<br />- Justin A. Savage, Global Co-Lead, Environmental Team, Sidley Austin LLP<br />- John Shu, Attorney and Legal Commentator<br />- [Moderator] Annie Donaldson Talley, Partner, Luther Strange and Associates<br /><br />Visit our website – <a href="http://www.RegProject.org" rel="noopener">www.RegProject.org</a> – to learn more, view all of our content, and connect with us on social media.