Trial Lawyers Should Change Tactics Instead of Name

Statement of Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, on the Association of Trial Lawyers of America's vote to change its name to the American Association for Justice:

"Today's vote by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America to change its name to the American Association for Justice is an astounding admission of the unpopularity of trial lawyers in America.

"But the sad fact is that trial lawyers have no one to blame but themselves for their low esteem. Decades of abuse of the civil justice system by some of their members have created a sue-happy litigation climate that results in lost jobs, higher consumer prices, and ultimately, little justice for anyone-even the victims that they represent.

"Obscuring who they are by removing the words 'trial' and 'lawyer' from their name is only cosmetic surgery unless it is followed by abandoning the high-dollar business model of industry-targeted lawsuits, followed by a real commitment to comprehensive reform of our civil justice system."

The mission of the Institute for Legal Reform is to make America's legal system simpler, fairer, and faster for everyone. 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.

www.uschamber.com

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06-119