Institute for Legal Reform

The US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) is an advocacy group founded in 1998 by the United States Chamber of Commerce, "representing the nation's business community" with a focus on what it calls "tort reform."[1][2]

Stances on issues

ILR takes a pro-defendant stance, condemning the influence that plaintiff trial lawyers have in expanding common law through tort and securities litigation. Accordingly, ILR promotes arbitration over litigation, increased attorney–client privilege, reduced discovery, and statutory caps on damage awards.[3]

ILR is affiliated with the United States Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit trade association lobbying group representing businesses and industry associations. Through ILR, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched multiple lobbying efforts against trial lawyers.[4][5][6]

Criticisms

Main article: Tort reform

Critics of ILR and other tort reform organizations argue that the organizations limit the access of ordinary citizens to be compensated for harms done to them by corporations through faulty products and/or harmful services. Critics argue that such interest groups do not promote judicial efficiency, legal ethics, or any other public purpose, but merely protect corporations from the consequences of their misdeeds.[7]

References

  1. ↑ ILR website, About ILR. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  2. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, Lobbying Spending Database. Retrieved May 8, 2009. Archived May 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ ILR website, Issue Resource Center. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  4. ↑ Garland, Susan. "Chamber of Commerce Battle Cry: Kill All the Lawyers", Business Week Online. March 2, 1998. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  5. ↑ Murray, Shailagh. "Conservative Appeal Trial-Lawyers Lobby Discovers". Wall Street Journal. July 8, 2004. Retrieved from Texans for Lawsuit Reform, May 11, 2009.
  6. ↑ Holzer, Jessica. "Chamber launches effort against trial lawyers", TheHill.com. July 28, 2008. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  7. ↑ Cohen, Andrew.: "Made in America: Corporate Gall", CBSnews.com. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
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