WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) received the Outstanding Organization Award at the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) 14th Annual Legal Reform Summit today for their contributions to making Wisconsin’s civil justice system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone.
“We are very pleased to honor the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council and Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce with our Outstanding Organization Award,” said Lisa A. Rickard, president of ILR. “In a politically-volatile environment, the WCJC and the WMC were able to advance some of the nation’s most substantial legal reforms. In fact, of all the states enacting reforms in the last three years, Wisconsin was the very first out of the gate.”
In particular, ILR recognized the WMC and the WCJC for helping to pass measures that capped punitive damages and medical malpractice awards, while also reversing a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that moved the burden of proof from plaintiffs to defendants in some cases. More recently, the WMC and the WCJC have led the fight for additional reforms, like a measure limiting the use of outside plaintiffs’ lawyers by the state attorney general. That bill passed the legislature earlier this month and is awaiting the governor’s signature.
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.
