WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ohio State Senator Bill Seitz received the 2013 State Legislative Achievement Award at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) 14th Annual Legal Reform Summit today for his contributions to making Ohio’s civil justice system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone.

“Senator Seitz has long been a champion of civil justice reform,” said Lisa A. Rickard, president of ILR. “Over his thirteen years in the legislature, he has been the primary sponsor of more than two dozen measures that improved Ohio’s civil justice landscape.”

Most recently, Seitz was the lead sponsor of landmark, first-of-its-kind legislation that required disclosure of claims from asbestos bankruptcy trusts. Under his leadership, the legislation passed the Ohio legislature and was signed into law by Governor Kasich last December.

By mandating disclosure of trust filings, the legislation will go a long way towards curbing improper and fraudulent asbestos claims. It will ensure that legitimate victims are properly compensated, while also protecting job-creating businesses from lawsuit abuse.

The Annual Legal Reform Awards honor individuals and organizations whose outstanding work has contributed to reforming America’s civil justice system.

ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the national, state, and local levels. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

---