WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today marked the start of "Tort Reform Week" in the U.S. House of Representatives by renewing its call for the House to quickly pass H.R. 4571, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004. "Frivolous lawsuits are hitting hard-working Americans where it hurts most - in their pocketbooks," said ILR President Lisa Rickard. "Lawsuit abuse threatens jobs and raises prices for all consumers. I urge Congress to boost our economy and protect American jobs by taking swift action to pass the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act." Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce announced it would participate in two new political initiatives to educate voters about the devastating impact of a runaway legal system on the American way of life during this fall's presidential campaign. Read More
WASHINGTON, - D.C. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today launched a South Dakota statewide education campaign designed to inform voters about Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle s national political agenda in Washington an agenda that is vastly different from the needs of the state. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce condemned a complaint filed today in federal district court by several state attorneys general and the New York City Office of Corporation Counsel and called the action an attempt to circumvent Congress and federal and state regulatory agencies in setting U.S. policy. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce today expressed disappointment at the U.S. Senate's 44-43 vote against invoking cloture (60 votes are needed to invoke cloture) on S. 2062, the Class Action Fairness Act. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce called upon the members of the Senate to quickly consider and pass the Class Action Fairness Act (S. 2062), a bill aimed at curbing class action lawsuit abuse in state courts. Senate debate on the bill begins today. Read More
WASHINGTON, DC -- In written testimony, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform today urged the U.S. House of Representatives to quickly pass H.R. 4571, the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2004. The legislation would help curb frivolous litigation by strengthening the enforcement provisions of Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures. The bill also contains important additions to Rule 11 that would reduce forum shopping by plaintiff s attorneys. The key provisions of the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act would: Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today released a study showing the tort system costs U.S. small businesses $88 billion a year. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue today praised Governor Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Legislature for passing a comprehensive legal reform bill that will dramatically improve the state's unfair legal system and encourage business development and expansion. This is an important victory for the people of Mississippi," said Donohue. "Governor Barbour, Lt. Governor Tuck and the leaders of both houses of the legislature are to be commended for doing the right thing." Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today hosted a strategy forum with America's top legal experts on new strategies to curb excessive punitive damage awards that threaten the vitality of U.S. businesses. "The huge amount of money pocketed by unscrupulous trial lawyers is destroying businesses, raising consumers' costs, and threatening the jobs of thousands of workers," said Lisa Rickard, president of ILR. "Last year's success calls for more work to solidify our victory, or we risk being undone by half-measures and misguided rulings." Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today launched a new coalition to curb global forum shopping, a rising litigation trend in which foreign plaintiffs file lawsuits in U.S. courts to take advantage of the more permissive features of the American judicial system. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) today commended U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow for his comments in support of comprehensive legal reform to halt the negative economic impact of excessive litigation. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate certain short sellers and the Milberg Weiss law firm, following a recent California ruling that the firm's clients appeared to have participated in a fraud on shareholders. The court ruling removed these short sellers as lead plaintiffs in a class action. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform's annual State Liability Systems Ranking Study found a wide gap between the best and worst states in legal fairness - a difference that underscores the need for both federal and state-based legal reform. "Opportunistic trial lawyers are flocking to courts in a handful of out-of-the-way places that are stacked in favor of plaintiffs' attorneys and that have shown a willingness to dole out huge awards in frivolous cases," said Thomas Donohue, U.S. Chamber President and CEO. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) applauded the Mississippi State Senate for passing comprehensive legal reform legislation and urged the Mississippi House to follow suit immediately. The Senate approved the bill 32-15. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce and its Institute for Legal Reform applauded a ruling by the Mississippi Supreme Court that is expected to help curb the practice of forum shopping - a process where plaintiffs' lawyers file lawsuits in a court district with a reputation for favorable verdicts - by placing common-sense limits on the ability to join parties in mass tort lawsuits. Read More
DAVOS, Switzerland - United States Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas Donohue announced the business organization would lead the effort to end the growing problem of global forum shopping by foreign plaintiffs' attorneys seeking friendly courts. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce celebrated news that Senate lawmakers reached a bipartisan deal to restore fairness for both defendants and consumers to the class action system and limit abusive lawsuits. "Businesses and consumers victimized by the current system can give thanks tomorrow that the days of class action abuse are numbered," said Thomas Donohue, Chamber President and CEO. "We urge the Senate to pass the Class Action Fairness Act at the earliest opportunity." Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 17, 2003 -- The United States Chamber of Commerce today issued two papers on the growing hazard of mold litigation and the lack of scientific evidence linking mold to health problems. Read More
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 15, 2003 - A United States Chamber of Commerce survey of doctors, pharmacists and patients found that drug lawsuits influence some people to stop taking their prescription medication. Read More