California Supreme Court Decision will Help Contingency Fee Lawyers at the Expense of the State

Statement of ILR President Lisa A. Rickard on Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court of California in County of Santa Clara v. Superior Court (Atlantic Richfield Co) allowing state municipalities…

Statement of ILR President Lisa A. Rickard on Monday’s decision by the Supreme Court of California in County of Santa Clara v. Superior Court (Atlantic Richfield Co) allowing state municipalities to hire outside contingency fee lawyers:

“The California Supreme Court’s decision to allow government entities to partner with private lawyers in contingency fee lawsuits will not only result in more litigation, but will further burden the state’s ability to create jobs and emerge from its worst economic situation since the Great Depression.

“While today’s decision provides more uncertainty for America’s job creators, it gives clarity to the lawsuit industry and plaintiffs’ lawyers looking to expand into a new area of litigation…”