WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement regarding today’s release of the report Judicial Hellholes 2016-2017 by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA):

“We commend the Judicial Hellholes report for putting some of the nation’s worst lawsuit locales under a spotlight. Awareness is the first step in improving the legal system, and this report underscores the urgent need for legal reform.”

Last week, ILR released Disconnects & Double-Dipping, a report highlighting how lawyers for asbestos victims in Newport News, VA, routinely manipulate court cases to force solvent companies to pay for injuries caused by other, bankrupt companies. Newport News is listed eighth in ATRA’s Judicial Hellholes report.

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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