Director, Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law
Chief Judge, Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal
Senior Attorney, Pacific Legal Foundation
Damien Schiff is a senior attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation. He leads its environmental practice group, a unique initiative that draws broadly from PLF’s expertise and success in property rights and separation of powers litigation. Over the years, Damien has represented hundreds of landowners and property rights advocates to defend their liberties against heavy-handed and unwarranted environmental and land-use regulation. His litigation experience includes Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a groundbreaking decision in which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of landowners to challenge Clean Water Act compliance orders issued by EPA, and Contoski v. Norton, PLF’s successful effort to force the federal government to make good on its promise to delist the bald eagle from the Endangered Species Act.
Besides litigation, Damien has written academic articles on a variety of subjects, including the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, greenhouse gas torts, the duty to rescue, and international water law. He has appeared on a variety of television and radio programs and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harper’s Magazine, and The Economist, among other publications.
He obtained his law degree magna cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law, and his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University. While at USD, he was a research assistant for Professor Bernard Siegan, a leading constitutional theorist and advocate for property rights and economic liberty. Immediately prior to joining PLF, Damien clerked for Judge (and former PLF attorney) Victor Wolski of the United States Court of Federal Claims. Damien credits the mentoring and examples of Professor Siegan and Judge Wolski for his decision to pursue a career in liberty-based public interest litigation.
Damien lives in Sacramento with his wife, two young sons, four chickens, and a cat named Princess. In his off hours he enjoys stamp collecting, Gregorian chant, and martinis—preferably at the same time.
Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal
ALAN ORANTES FORST was appointed to a judge position on the Fourth District Court of Appeal by Governor Rick Scott on March 7, 2013; he was administered the oath of office on April 8, 2013. Prior to this appointment, Judge Forst served as Chairman of the Florida Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission/Unemployment Appeals Commission commencing in July 2001, having been appointed to two terms by Governor Jeb Bush and a third term by Governor Charlie Crist. The Commission is an independent commission that conducts appellate review of contested unemployment compensation claims, issues final orders and, if necessary, defends those orders before the district courts of appeal. Prior to the 2001 appointment, Judge Forst was an associate and partner at the Stuart, Florida law firm Crary Buchanan. Earlier in his career, Judge Forst spent over two decades in Washington, D.C. A graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and the Columbus School of Law of the Catholic University of America, Judge Forst served under Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton in front office positions at the Departments of Justice and Labor (special assistant to the Administrators of OFCCP and the Wage and Hour Division), as counsel to the Vice Chair/Member of the Merit Systems Protection Board, and as special assistant/counsel to Chairman Clarence Thomas at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Other stops included the Department of Commerce, two Senate offices, the National Legal Center for the Public Interest, the Commission on Civil Rights, the Legal Services Corporation, and Northern Virginia Law School. Judge Forst was President of the Martin County Bar Association in 2007-08 and Chair of the Florida Bar’s Labor and Employment Law Section in 2008-09. He resides in Martin County.
Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Judge Duncan received his B.A. from Louisiana State University in 1994, his J.D. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University in 1997, and his LL.M. from Columbia Law School in 2004.
After graduating from law school, he clerked for Louisiana-based Circuit Judge John Malcolm Duhé Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
From 2008–2012, Duncan served as Appellate Chief for Louisiana's Attorney General's office. From 2012–2014, he served as general counsel of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. From 2004-2008, he was an assistant professor of law at the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Before becoming a judge, Duncan practiced at the Washington, D.C. firm of Schaerr Duncan LLP, where he was a founding partner. He was appointed by President Trump to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on May 1, 2018.
Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Andy excels at solving complex problems for his clients using a variety of effective strategies. As former Chief Deputy Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin, Andy Cook has extensive experience representing businesses before state Attorneys General involving investigations and lawsuits. His strong relationships with Attorneys General and their senior staff frequently facilitate the successful resolution of client issues through diplomacy and negotiations. When litigation becomes necessary, Andy effectively advocates for clients throughout the litigation process.
Andy combines his legal expertise in numerous areas of law covered by state Attorneys General, an understanding of how state AG offices operate, and vast knowledge of legal and regulatory issues facing his clients. This substantive and comprehensive legal approach is crucial to effectively representing clients before state Attorneys General. Andy also has substantial experience drafting and enacting complex civil liability reforms before state legislatures to successfully address client goals.
Andy’s main practice focuses on advising Fortune 500 companies before state Attorneys General in the areas of antitrust, consumer protection, False Claims Act, environmental law, and cybersecurity and data privacy. Andy, in collaboration with a team of attorneys, successfully navigated a client through antitrust regulatory review by state Attorneys General in one of the nation’s largest mergers of two major telecommunication companies. Andy also worked with a team of lawyers representing a large corporation involving the multistate opioids litigation brought by state Attorneys General.
Andy gained valuable experience serving as Deputy Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin where he was the second in command of the 700-plus state agency. In his role as Chief Deputy Attorney General, Andy oversaw the day-to-day operations at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ); directed the State’s litigation strategy; negotiated, reviewed, and approved all settlements; drafted and reviewed attorney general opinions; managed the agency’s budget; oversaw civil and criminal investigations handled by DOJ; and managed DOJ’s legislative agenda.
Andy played college hockey and remains active by running, cross country skiing, and playing golf. On the weekends, Andy and his wife enjoy watching their kids’ sporting events, including soccer, baseball, gymnastics, and track. In his rare spare time, Andy reads history books.
Attorney, Lobbyist & Communications Professional, Kelchen Consulting
Changing Tides: Federal Jurisdiction Under the Clean Water Act
Co-Sponsored by the Palm Beach Lawyers Chapter, Broward Lawyers Chapter, and Treasure Coast Lawyers Chapter
Palm City, FLConstitution Day Dinner: The History of FedSoc
Treasure Coast Lawyers Chapter
Port St. Lucie, FLSebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.: Religious Small Business Owners Challenge the HHS Mandate that Businesses Must Provide Contraception Coverage
Coral Gables, FloridaState Court Challenges to Legislatively Enacted Tort Reforms
Andrew Cook, Emily Kelchen
Introduction Over the past three decades, proponents of civil liability reform have made significant gains.1 Propelled...