Multnomah County, Oregon, has engaged the services of Worthington & Caron, P.C., a prominent environmental trial firm led by Roger G. Worthington, to file a climate lawsuit against fossil fuel companies in connection with the 2021 “heat dome,” as revealed by Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) records.
Worthington & Caron, P.C. is recognized nationally for its expertise in toxic tort and environmental litigation, including high-profile cases involving asbestos, product liability, and public health. The firm has achieved over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements for its clients and actively supports cancer research and environmental initiatives through philanthropy.
The attorney retention agreement specifies that Worthington & Caron will represent Multnomah County in a significant lawsuit targeting fossil fuel companies for damages associated with the 2021 heat dome disaster. The firm operates on a contingency basis, advancing all litigation costs and collecting fees only if there is a successful recovery for the county. The contract includes a sliding scale of attorney fees—up to 33% of the first $100 million recovered—with reductions if other local governments join the suit. This ensures that Multnomah County incurs no costs if the lawsuit is unsuccessful.
According to a July 2025 white paper published by the Washington Legal Foundation and authored by former Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, there are increasing legal and policy concerns regarding cities and counties hiring private contingency law firms for large-scale public-impact litigation. Peterson argues that state attorneys general are best suited to lead these cases to maintain oversight, avoid conflicts of interest, and ensure that public interest—not private profit—remains paramount in complex matters such as climate and opioid litigation.
The contingency fee agreement acknowledges the risks and uncertainties inherent in climate litigation, noting that no local government in the United States has successfully recovered funds from fossil fuel companies for climate-related damages. The agreement positions Multnomah County as the lead plaintiff while allowing coordination with other Oregon localities to reduce costs and maximize potential recovery. Attorneys will only receive payment if there is a successful outcome and will bear the risk of litigation expenses.
