LLAW PRESS ROOM

Baton Rouge, LA – LLAW has serious concerns regarding last-minute amendments that were added to a bill to reorganize Louisiana’s Department of Energy & Natural Resources in House committee earlier this week.

In a powerful show of support, Gov. Landry skipped another event to testify in favor of these personally-drafted amendments that would retroactively and prospectively prohibit indemnification in oil and gas transactions. In a state long-known for its litigious business climate, this move can only reinforce uncertainty and instability in our business climate.

Baton Rouge, LA – With legal reform among the most important issues being addressed during the current legislative session, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) is releasing data measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on the state’s overall economy and in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), specifically.

Baton Rouge, La. – For more than a decade, Louisiana’s oil and gas industry has been targeted by the trial bar. Friday’s decision in the 25 th Judicial District Court in Plaquemines Parish sends a serious warning shot across the bow, signaling job creators to think twice when it comes to doing business in Louisiana.

December 10, 2024 (Baton Rouge, LA) – With holiday preparations in full swing, we are reminded that no one wants to be on the “bad” list this time of year. When it comes to our legal climate, however, Louisiana has managed to do just that – even after significant attempts at comprehensive legal reformthis year. Continuing its streak with a fifteenth appearance on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s infamous Judicial Hellholes® list at No. 10 this year, Louisiana is often considered one of the worst civil justice systems in the country.

Baton Rouge, La. – Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week is observed annually the first week in October by Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW), the Louisiana Legal Reform Coalition (LLRC) and other civil justice reform organizations across the country. This grassroots effort is aimed at informing citizens about the significant costs and economic consequences of lawsuit abuse.

Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) is disappointed that Governor Landry has used his executive power to veto Representative Michael Melerine’s HB 423, which would have revised Louisiana’s judicially-created collateral source rule, increasing transparency in our civil justice system.

BATON ROUGE, LA (June 4, 2024) – Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) represents approximately 20,000 Louisianans who are tired of paying the price when our civil justice system is abused. Advocates from across the state want meaningful legal reform so we can all begin to feel relief from the costs of “jackpot justice” that are passed down to every single one of us in the form of higher prices for goods and services. Insurance Commissioner Temple’s comprehensive package of legal reform measures will bring more transparency, fairness, and balance to our system, while addressing the rising cost of everything from groceries to insurance.

January 11, 2024 (Baton Rouge, LA) – Earlier this week, Louisiana began a new chapter with the swearing in of a new governor and legislature. To ensure the need for reforms to Louisiana’s civil justice system remain top of mind, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) released data measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on the state’s overall economy and in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), specifically.

December 5, 2023 (Baton Rouge, LA) – Louisiana has again been named the seventh-worst civil justice jurisdiction in the U.S. in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s (ATRF) 2023-24 Judicial Hellholes Report®, released earlier today. This annual report ranks the most unjust local courts and state civil justice systems in the country. This marks the fourteenth year Louisiana has been named in the report and the second year in a row the state has claimed the number seven spot.

DECEMBER 5, 2023 (WASHINGTON) — Louisiana clinched the No. 7 Judicial Hellholes® spot in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s 2023-2024 report, shedding light on an ongoing crisis demanding immediate attention.

Baton Rouge, LA — As the current legislative nears its midpoint, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) released data measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on the state’s overall economy and in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Areas, specifically. These impacts were derived from the Economic Benefits of Tort Reform study conducted by The Perryman Group for Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse using extensive survey data, industry information and a variety of corroborative source material. The results are clear – Louisiana continues to lose jobs and revenue because of the state’s civil justice system.

Louisiana has landed at No. 7 in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s (ATRF) 2022-2023 Judicial Hellholes report, ranking the most unjust local courts and state civil justice systems in the country. This marks the thirteenth year jurisdictions in Louisiana have been named in the report, with the state only improving by one spot from last year’s rankings.

New data shows lost jobs and revenue in state’s major metropolitan areas

Baton Rouge, LA — Prior to the start of the legislative session next week, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW)  released data measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on the state’s overall economy and in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Areas, specifically. These impacts were derived from the Economic Benefits of Tort Reform study conducted by The Perryman Group for Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse using extensive survey data, industry information and a variety of corroborative source material. The results are clear – Louisiana continues to lose jobs and revenue because of the state’s civil justice system.

Costs result in significant losses to Louisiana families, businesses, and tax rolls;

More than $2 billion in savings projected with additional legal reforms

Baton Rouge, LA — Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) today released the 2021 Impact of Tort Costs and the Potential Economic Benefits of Tort Reform, an assessment measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on Louisiana’s economy. Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) commissioned John Dunham & Associates (JDA) to conduct analysis on these impacts and the potential economic benefits of tort reform in Louisiana.  

WASHINGTON – Louisiana ranks near the top of the nation’s Judicial Hellholes at No. 4 in 2019 because of the involvement of contingency-fee lawyers in parish coastal lawsuits, the legislature’s failure to address the high cost of auto insurance caused by lawsuit abuse, and judicial misconduct plaguing the state.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C.— Louisiana’s lawsuit climate ranks 49th—the second-worst in the nation—in a new national survey released today by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR). In the survey, New Orleans/Orleans Parish’s legal climate ranks as one of the ten worst local jurisdictions in the nation.

BATON ROUGE, LA (JULY 9, 2018 )— Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) has announced that Lana Sonnier Venable will become its next Executive Director. LLAW is a local non-partisan, nonprofit, citizen watchdog group dedicated to stopping lawsuit abuse that hurts Louisiana’s families and threatens local businesses and jobs.

BATON ROUGE, LA (Dec. 5, 2017)— Louisiana is still one of the nation’s worst Judicial Hellholes®, according to a new report released today by the American Tort Reform Foundation (ATRF). The state has been singled out for unbalanced courts and excessive litigation eight years in a row and ranked as the nation’s eighth-worst Judicial Hellhole this year.

BATON ROUGE, LA (Oct. 30, 2017) – Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Melissa Landry issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to revive the lawsuit filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East (SLFPA-E):

BATON ROUGE, LA (Oct. 30, 2017) – Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Melissa Landry issued the following statement today regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to revive the lawsuit filed by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East (SLFPA-E):

Every October, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch joins legal reform groups from across the country to promote a national dialogue about the devastating impact frivolous lawsuits have on our courts and our economy. The goal is to encourage citizens and lawmakers to take action to reform our legal system.

BATON ROUGE, LA (September 12, 2017)— Legal reform advocates from Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) and the Coalition for Common Sense (CCS) issued the following statements today in response to the release of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 2017 Lawsuit Climate Survey, where Louisiana’s legal environment ranked 50th—the worst in the nation.

BATON ROUGE, LA— Gov. John Bel Edwards’ controversial push to hire his top campaign supporters to represent the state in lawsuits potentially worth billions of dollars earned Louisiana a spot on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s (ATRF) annual “Judicial Hellholes” list.

BATON ROUGE, LA (Jan. 29, 2016)— Local and national legal experts discussed key findings from a new report, “The Costs and Consequences of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA),” at a roundtable event co-hosted today by the Coalition for Common Sense (CCS), Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) and the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).

BATON ROUGE, LA (Dec. 17, 2015)— Louisiana courts are among the worst in the country, and they have been singled out for a lack of balance and excessive litigation. The Pelican State is the sixth-worst in the country for abusive lawsuits, according to the newly released Judicial Hellholes® report from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).

Wealthy personal injury lawyers spend millions on fancy cars and private jets. They also spent over $300,000 on these legislative candidates who they hope will help to advance their pro-lawsuit, job-killing agenda at the State Capitol next year. With polls opening in less than 24 hours, voters should keep in mind who the plaintiffs’ bar is supporting and why.

BATON ROUGE, LA (Oct. 15, 2015)—Republican gubernatorial candidates Jay Dardenne and David Vitter discussed challenges facing Louisiana’s civil justice system at a forum hosted by Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) and the Coalition for Common Sense (CCS) on Tuesday in Baton Rouge.

Trial lawyer-backed super PACs spending heavily in the 2015 governor’s race LAFAYETTE, LA (Sept. 29, 2015)—A Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) investigation into campaign contributions to elected officials reveals trial lawyers, as a whole, spent more than any other special interest group to steer elections across the state.

With a $1.6 billion state budget shortfall to address, there is no question that lawmakers are primarily focused on fiscal issues as the 2015 Louisiana Legislative Session starts out.

BATON ROUGE – Despite fierce criticism from lawmakers and legal reform groups in recent years, Louisiana Attorney General James “Buddy” Caldwell is continuing his questionable practice of hiring outside attorneys to pursue litigation on behalf of the state, primarily relying on well-connected law firms that have donated tens of thousands of dollars to his political campaign.

BATON ROUGE, LA- Nearly five years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, a legal watchdog group is calling into question who is benefiting most from the unprecedented class action settlement set up to compensate victims in the aftermath of the 2010 oil spill.

BATON ROUGE, LA— Melissa, Landry, executive director of Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, issued the following statement about U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown’s decision to dismiss the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East’s (SLFPA-E) lawsuit against dozens of oil and gas companies:

BATON ROUGE, LA (Dec. 16, 2014) — Louisiana has earned the seventh-highest ranking in the 2014–2015 American Tort Reform Association Judicial Hellholes® report of the worst places to be sued. The state has been singled out for unbalanced courts and excessive legal practices for five consecutive years.

A little noticed Associated Press report published last week highlights the ongoing fraud and abuse that’s still corrupting the oil spill claims process. It has been more than four years since the spill, and BP has paid out over $12 billion to more than 275,000 claimants under an unprecedented settlement agreement designed to quickly compensate victims.

Click the READ MORE>> button to see the Coalition for Common Sense’s guide to the top legal reforms to watch in 2014.

BATON ROUGE, LA – An unfortunate combination of contingency-fee lawyers, plaintiff-friendly judges, and a seemingly ethically-challenged state attorney general has earned Louisiana the dubious distinction of being named the number two “Judicial Hellhole” in the country by the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA).

BATON ROUGE, LA -The Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal has issued an alarming series of ‘activist’ decisions, according to a new report released today by the non-partisan legal watchdog group, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW).

BATON ROUGE, LA- The American Tort Reform Foundation’s (ATRF) 2012 “Judicial Hellholes” report places Louisiana on the group’s “watch” list for the third consecutive year.

BATON ROUGE, LA – Three candidates for Louisiana’s 5th District Supreme Court race acknowledge abusive lawsuits are a problem in Louisiana’s courts. These comments, by candidates Jeff Hughes, Tim Kelley and Bill Morvant, were in response to a survey by Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW).