August Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Poll – The 'Be Gentle on the Criminal' Edition

Batman beware: the next time the Dark Knight sets off to foil the plans of a villainous mastermind determined to wreak havoc upon the good people of Gotham City, he better be gentle in his crime fighting efforts or else he could wind up embroiled in an expensive lawsuit. At least that’s the lesson to be learned from a contender in this month’s Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Poll, in which a would-be bicycle thief is suing the three men who captured him, claiming he is the victim of a rough citizen’s arrest....

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U.S. Chamber Says Study Could Lead to Fix of Broken Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust System

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) applauds a new study released by the RAND Institute for Civil Justice that provides the foundation for debate over how to reform the broken asbestos bankruptcy trust system. The RAND study is the first phase of a major research project investigating the bankruptcy compensation system for asbestos claimants.

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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 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..."

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U.S. Chamber Applauds Congressional Inquiry Into Treasury’s Consideration of $1.6 Billion Trial Lawyer Tax Break

Statement of Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, on the letter sent July 23rd by Senator Chuck Grassley and Congressman Dave Camp to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner regarding Treasury’s consideration of a $1.6 billion tax break for plaintiffs’ lawyers:

“Senator Grassley and Congressman Camp are right to question Treasury’s possible enactment of a special interest tax break for plaintiffs’ lawyers without the approval of Congress.

“For the past three years, the trial lawyer lobby has been pushing Congress to enact a $1.6 billion tax cut for plaintiffs’ lawyers that would increase abusive litigation and add to the deficit. With support in Congress woefully lacking, the trial bar is trying to circumvent our elected representatives and get Treasury to enact their special interest tax break by fiat.

“At a time of high unemployment and record deficits, Washington should be working to put Americans back to work, not increase the deficit while subsidizing frivolous lawsuits. I applaud Senator Grassley and Congressman Camp for questioning this brazen end run around our democratic process.”

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Read More: Letter to Sec. Geithner from Sen. Grassley and Rep. Camp (PDF)