WASHINGTON, D.C. – State leaders from Mississippi will receive the 2012 State Legislative Achievement Award at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) 13th Annual Legal Reform Summit today for helping to pass “Attorney General sunshine” legislation in the state earlier this year. Award recipients include House Judiciary Chair Mark Baker, Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, Senate Judiciary Chair Briggs Hopson, and Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves.

In May, Mississippi enacted “Attorney General sunshine” legislation promoting transparency and limiting contingency fees when the state attorney general hires outside private plaintiff attorneys to represent the state. This new law provided much-needed reforms in the state’s use of contingency fee contracts. 

“We are thrilled to salute these Mississippi state leaders with our State Legislative Achievement Award,” said Lisa A. Rickard, President of ILR. “Curbing ‘pay-to-play’ schemes that enrich lawyers at the expense of taxpayers could not have happened without their steadfast leadership.”

The annual Legal Reform Awards honor individuals and organizations whose outstanding work has contributed to making America’s civil justice system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone.

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.

 

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