Patrick F. Nugent

Colleges, universities, and K-12 schools operate in a highly regulated environment and must balance a number of imperatives while striving to fulfill their unique missions. Pat helps clients navigate these demands and defends them in litigation when necessary. Examples include:

• Advising schools on issues surrounding admissions, athletics compliance, student mental health, Title IX, and other issues.
• Representing schools in student conduct litigation and appeals involving claims related to due process, Title IX, and other anti-discrimination laws.
• Representing schools in academic dismissal litigation involving breach of contract claims and claims under Title VI, Section 1981, and other anti-discrimination laws.

Companies that design environmentally-protective projects should obtain prompt permit approvals. Yet permitting agencies can take months to make a decision, and project opponents still challenge those permits. When that happens, Pat helps companies defend their projects in court. Recent examples include:

• Allegheny Def. Project v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 964 F.3d 1 (D.C. Cir. 2020) (en banc): Denying challenges to the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for an interstate natural gas pipeline project.
• Transcon. Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC v. Permanent Easements for 2.14 Acres, 907 F.3d 725 (3d Cir. 2018): Affirming the entry of a preliminary injunction awarding immediate possession of rights of way for an interstate natural gas pipeline project.
• Delaware Riverkeeper Network v. Sec’y Pennsylvania Dep’t of Envtl. Prot., 903 F.3d 65 (3d Cir. 2018): Denying challenges to the issuance of Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification for an interstate natural gas pipeline project.
• Adorers of the Blood of Christ v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 897 F.3d 187 (3d Cir. 2018): Affirming the dismissal of challenges under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to an interstate natural gas pipeline project.
• Delaware Riverkeeper Network v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm’n, 857 F.3d 388 (D.C. Cir. 2017): Denying challenges to the issuance of Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for an interstate natural gas pipeline project.
• Delaware Riverkeeper Network v. Sec’y Pennsylvania Dep’t of Envtl. Prot., 833 F.3d 360 (3d Cir. 2016): Denying challenges to the issuance of Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification for an interstate natural gas pipeline project.
  
   

Businesses are frustrated with having to divert substantial time and resources to dealing with lawsuits. They want counsel who understands their business and develops thoughtful, effective, and efficient strategies to resolve disputes and protect their interests with minimal disruption to their business. Pat strives to provide such representation to clients across a number of industries. Examples include:

• Representing life insurers in state and federal trial court litigation involving the sale of life insurance and employer welfare benefit plans.
• Representing a prominent gaming and entertainment client in a breach of contract and defamation case in New Jersey federal district court arising from an agreement to develop and implement an online gaming and gambling system for a casino.