"Exxon Sues the Suers in Fierce Climate-Change Case", 13 Feb 2018

...The company has targeted at least 30 people and organizations, including the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts, hitting them with suits, threats of suits or demands for sworn depositions. The company claims the lawyers, public officials and environmental activists are “conspiring” against it in a coordinated legal and public relations campaign...According to the company, about two dozen people hatched a strategy against it at a meeting six years ago in an oceanfront cottage in La Jolla, Calif.

...So far, New York City and eight California cities and counties...have sued Exxon and other oil and gas companies...Attorneys general ..of New York and..Massachusetts, are investigating whether Exxon covered up information on climate change...“The attorneys general have violated Exxon Mobil’s right to participate in the national conversation about how to address the risks presented by climate change,” said... a lawyer who represents Exxon. 

...Plaintiff lawyers and legal experts contend the oil giant’s tactics are meant to intimidate while shifting the spotlight away from claims of environmental damage.

...Last month, Exxon asked a state judge in Fort Worth, Texas, to order [Matthew Pawa, whose firm represents Oakland, San Francisco and New York in their suits against Exxon] to turn over documents and testify under oath about the La Jolla conference and other conversations with lawyers and activists. He’s also been subpoenaed to testify in a federal action Exxon has brought against the state attorneys general.

...The company is also seeking testimony from 15 municipal lawyers and officials in California. Exxon said it’s seeking evidence for “an anticipated suit” claiming civil conspiracy and violation of its First Amendment and other Constitutional rights.