---
title: Practical Law The Journal Interviews Partner Philip D. Robben on Alien Tort Statute
date: 2011-10-01T00:00:00-04:00
author: Import Bot
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/news/practical-law-the-journal-interviews-partner-philip-d-robben-on-alien-tort-statute"
section: News
---
# Practical Law The Journal Interviews Partner Philip D. Robben on Alien Tort Statute

 October 1, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partner **Philip D. Robben** discussed corporate liability for foreign conduct in the GC Agenda section of *Practical Law The Journal* (October 2011). He reviewed *Flomo v. Firestone Natural Rubber Co.*, where the Seventh Circuit held corporate liability is possible under the Alien Tort Statute (ATS). However, even with this ruling, the court affirmed the dismissal of the case accusing Firestone affiliates in Liberia of violating international child labor laws.

Mr. Robben analyzed *Doe VIII v. Exxon Mobile Corp.* The D.C. circuit court held Exxon could be liable under the ATS for human rights abuses allegedly committed by Indonesian soldiers who provided security at the local Mobil plant. *Flomo* and *Exxon* strongly diverged from *Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum*. In that case, the Second Circuit held the ATS may not be used to prosecute corporations for its misconduct committed in other countries.

Finally, Mr. Robben provides suggestions on how U.S. companies with abroad operations can minimize ATS liability risks.

 

 

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