"Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett's father was a highly active and respected member of the American Petroleum Institute for more than two decades, according to interviews with four former colleagues.
Michael Coney's time at the powerful oil and gas industry trade group has raised concerns from environmental lawyers about Barrett's participation in a high-profile climate case that the Supreme Court decided last week.
It also raises fresh questions about whether Barrett will recuse herself from future cases alleging that the fossil fuel industry should help cover the costs of addressing floods, wildfires and other impacts of rising global temperatures.
"There is at least the appearance of a conflict of interest," said Karen Sokol, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans."
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