Now, trial lawyers could use a good lawyer
The long-maligned group faces a host of legislative moves to curb its influence.
By Seth Stern | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
WASHINGTON – The headquarters of the trial lawyers association in the nation's capital lies in a predictably tony neighborhood. The red-brick townhouse is nestled in a posh area of Georgetown, alongside a languid canal. These days, however, those who work inside might want to change the canal into a moat.
With Republicans in charge of much of Washington - and moving to put limits on litigation - the headquarters of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America could be described a building under siege.
For years, ATLA has been one of the most powerful and feted lobbying groups in Washington. With its close ties to the Democratic Party, its members were on the state-dinner invitation list in the Clinton years.
Now, trial lawyers are targets more than titans.
Many Republicans want to curb what they view as a corrosive tide of civil litigation in America. George W. Bush made his mark as governor of Texas on this issue of tort reform. Bill Frist, a doctor unhappy about malpractice suits, took the reins as Senate majority leader this year.
The result: ATLA lobbyists are fighting a wave of legislation this year aimed at capping what juries can award, curbing class-action suits, and protecting individual industries from litigation. Similar bills are getting passed in states, and even attorneys themselves are piling on - filing petitions to limit plaintiff lawyers' fees.
More]
http://csmonitor.com/2003/0610/p02s02-usju.html
Shall we cry for the trial lawyers or cheer for those who are after tort reform? I believe tort reform is desperately needed. The telephone numbers often given by juries are obscene. And in the long run cost us all in higher insurance premiums, medical costs, cost of government and etc. It is not a free ride. In addition the problem of frivolous suites should be addressed. What is your take on the subject?