Press Releases

U.S. Chamber Spotlights Underfunding of State Courts on Law Day

May 1, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—While participating in the American Bar Association’s 2012 Law Day event today, Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement regarding the widespread underfunding of America’s state courts.

U.S. Chamber Urges Passage of Legislation to Curb Abusive Anti-Energy Lawsuits in Louisiana

Apr 26, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, issued the following statement urging passage of House Bill 618 that would limit abusive lawsuits against oil and gas drillers in Louisiana. “With American families suffering every day from record-high gas prices, it is essential for policymakers, at all levels of government, to remove barriers to domestic energy production. Unfortunately, abusive lawsuits orchestrated by a small number of plaintiffs’ lawyers are harming oil and gas production in Louisiana, eliminating jobs, and contributing to higher energy prices nationwide. “The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform is proud to support this legislation, which will eliminate loopholes in current Louisiana law that allow these abusive lawsuits.

U.S. Chamber Applauds Introduction of Legislation Promoting Asbestos Trust Transparency

Apr 18, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement today regarding the introduction of the “Furthering Asbestos Claims Transparency (FACT) Act of 2012” in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would require asbestos personal injury settlement trusts authorized by federal bankruptcy law to disclose information on their claims on a quarterly basis and respond to information requests from parties to asbestos litigation.

Business Coalition Engages in Productive Discussion with Administration Regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Apr 11, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform today hosted a roundtable discussion on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and forthcoming guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on enforcement of the statute.

U.S. Chamber Statement on Termination of Controversial Madison County, Illinois Asbestos Docket System

Mar 30, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement regarding Madison County Circuit Judge Clarence Harrison’s decision to end the pre-assignment of asbestos trials to plaintiffs’ law firms. Trials will instead be set on a case-by-case basis. The decision comes three months after Judge Barbara Crowder, whose campaign committee received $30,000 from plaintiffs’ lawyers shortly after she awarded their firms most of the court’s 2013 trial times, was removed from the asbestos docket.

U.S. Chamber Hails Introduction of Exculpatory Evidence Bill in U.S. Senate

Mar 15, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), issued the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Fairness in Disclosure of Evidence Act of 2012 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would require that federal prosecutors disclose evidence that is favorable to the defendant in the course of a criminal proceeding; outline when such evidence must be disclosed; and, provide meaningful remedies for violations of the rule.

First-of-its-Kind Study Finds Plaintiffs’ Lawyers’ Online Marketing Tactics Among Most Sophisticated, Expensive

Feb 29, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A study of how plaintiffs’ lawyers market their services online reveals some of the most sophisticated, high-dollar tactics of any commercial industry. The first-of-its kind study, The Plaintiffs’ Bar Goes Digital, An Analysis of the Digital Marketing Efforts of Plaintiffs’ Attorneys & Litigation Firms, was compiled by New Media Strategies and released today by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.

U.S. Chamber, Broad Coalition Urge Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Guidance That Helps Businesses Comply

Feb 21, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) and a broad-based business coalition today sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding forthcoming guidance on enforcement under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The letter identifies numerous critical areas that the administration’s guidance should address in order to provide much needed clarity and certainty for businesses making a good faith effort to comply with the statute.

U.S. Chamber Applauds Introduction of FOCUS Act in U.S. Senate

Feb 3, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR), made the following statement about the introduction of the Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures (FOCUS) Act of 2012 in the U.S. Senate. The bill would, among other things, amend the Lacey Act to remove foreign law violations as a basis for prosecution in the United States and limit punishment for violations under the Act to civil penalties.

Kidnapper Who Sued His Victims Tops U.S. Chamber’s Annual List of 2011 Most Ridiculous Lawsuits

Dec 29, 2011

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A lawsuit by a kidnapper against his victims for not helping him evade police tops the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) survey of the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2011, released today.