FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—July 12, 2007
Contact: Larry Akey
202-463-5824
U.S. Chamber Pans New Trial Lawyer Poll
ILR's President: 'Actions Speak Louder Than Polls'
Washington, D.C.-U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) President Lisa A. Rickard offered the following statement on the polling data released Thursday by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (now calling themselves the American Association for Justice):
"The national trial lawyers poll is notable for what it failed to ask. We know from our own polling that 9 out every 10 Americans believe that there are too many frivolous or unfair lawsuits. We know that 84 % of all Americans say that meritless lawsuits are clogging our courts, denying justice to those who truly have been hurt. And, we know that 75 % of all Americans think that the current lawsuit system benefits lawyers the most, while only 6 % think that it helps the victims.
"Actions speak louder than polls. Until the national trial lawyers' association comes out against the abusive tactics of some plaintiffs' lawyers-including pushing for trial lawyer earmarks in federal legislation-it is hard to believe that they are serious about improving the civil justice system. The trial bar's lack of credibility is also hurt by cases that involve exorbitant settlement demands, excessive discovery, kickbacks to professional plaintiffs in securities litigation, and fraudulent medical screening in mass torts.
The mission of the ILR is to make America's legal system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone. It 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 more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.