Attorney General Uthmeier Subpoenas Environmental Law Institute
Summary
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a subpoena to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and its Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) as part of an investigation into potential violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The subpoena demands records relating to ELI/CJP's interactions with Florida judges, fundraising activities in Florida, funding sources, communications with climate activists, and involvement with climate plaintiff funders.
What changed
The Florida Attorney General has launched an enforcement investigation into the Environmental Law Institute and its Climate Judiciary Project, issuing a subpoena seeking extensive documentation. The subpoena specifically demands records including documents relating to interactions with Florida judges, communications regarding fundraising with Florida individuals, records regarding funding sources, communications between ELI/CJP and major climate activists, and documents relating to ELI/CJP's involvement with climate plaintiff funders.\n\nOrganizations engaged in environmental law, climate advocacy, or litigation support activities in Florida should be aware of this enforcement action. The investigation signals potential heightened scrutiny of entities involved in climate-related litigation and judicial education programs. Nonprofits and legal organizations working on environmental or climate issues may face increased regulatory attention regarding their interactions with judges and their funding structures.
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Apr 17, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Attorney General James Uthmeier Launches Investigation into Environmental Law Institute
View PDF Release Date Apr 16, 2026 Contact Communications Phone (850) 245-0150 TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a subpoena to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and its Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) as part of an investigation into suspicions that ELI has violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
“The Climate Cartel is trying to hijack our judicial system to accomplish their net-zero carbon agenda,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “But the Courts are not the place to push policy, let alone policy that can’t win at the ballot box. We are going to protect the integrity of our court system and hold anyone who is trying to deceive Floridians—especially its judiciary—accountable.”
The subpoena seeks documents and communications relating to ELI and CJP’s funding sources, its interactions with Florida judges, and its involvement with climate-related litigation.
The subpoena demands the provision of records including:
- Documents relating to interactions with Florida judges, including representations made to convince Florida judges to attend trainings, seminars, conferences, etc.
- Communications regarding fundraising with individuals in Florida
- Records regarding funding sources
- Communications between ELI/CJP and major climate activists
- Communications and documents relating to ELI/CJP’s involvement with climate plaintiff funders To read the full subpoena, click here.
Email Press@MyFloridaLegal.com
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