CJAC in the News
SB 222 is too risky for consumers
Capitol Weekly - April 2, 2025
Capitol Weekly published version posted here
By Kyla Christofferson Powell
OPINION – California’s insurance market is at a crossroads. With massive increases in disaster costs and a regulatory environment that does not readily allow carriers to increase rates to match the risk involved in insuring massive portions of our state, it is clear that something needs to change to fix a broken insurance market.
California Climate Lawsuit Bill Is Constitutionally Flawed
Law360 - March 5, 2025
Capitol Weekly published version posted here
By Kyla Christofferson Powell
At the end of January, in response to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, California State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, introduced a bill in the California Legislature that proposes to remedy the harms caused by fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and other climate disasters with lawsuits against oil and gas producers.
SB 1047: ‘safe & secure’ really means ‘see you in court’
Capitol Weekly - August 16, 2024
Capitol Weekly published version posted here
By Kyla Christofferson Powell
OPINION – In May of this year, Governor Newsom warned, “If we over-regulate, if we overindulge, if we chase the shiny object, we could put ourselves in a perilous position.”
California’s Lemon Law: A sweet deal for lawyers, sour for consumers
Los Angeles Daily News - July 17, 2024
Los Angeles Daily News published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
In 2023, ‘lemon law’ lawsuits for defective automobiles surged in California at an alarming rate, with 22,655 cases filed statewide. These cases represented a staggering 52% increase from the previous year. According to statistics gathered by the law firm Bowman and Brooke, 2024 is on track to be another record-breaking year for these types of lawsuits.
Striking a Balance: CJAC’s Pursuit of Fair Laws for Business and Disability Access
The Valley Economic Alliance - February 20, 2024
The Valley Economic Alliance published version here
By Jaime Huff
State and federal disability laws play a crucial role in ensuring equal access to public spaces for individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, small and minority-owned businesses in California have long been burdened with frivolous lawsuits that exploit these laws.
Civil Justice Association of California Announces 2024 “Civil Justice Gavel” Recipients
Senator Anna Caballero and Senator Roger Niello Recognized as Leaders in Legal Reform
Media Contact:
Taylor Gonsalves
press@cjac.org
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 12, 2024) — The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) is pleased to announce that Senator Roger Niello (R-6) and Senator Anna Caballero (D-14) are this year’s Civil Justice Gavel recipients.
Each year, CJAC awards the Civil Justice Gavel to one Democrat and one Republican legislator who display exceptional leadership in promoting a fair, balanced civil justice system in California.
Civil Justice Association of California Announces Legislative Civil Justice Allies
Media Contact:
Taylor Gonsalves
press@cjac.org
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (January 30, 2024) – The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) has released its new Civil Justice Allies list based on the 2023 legislative year, recognizing those California legislators who promoted a fair, balanced civil justice system with their policy decisions.
Opinion: ADA Lawsuit Reforms Are Long Overdue for California’s Small Businesses
Times of San Diego - May 31, 2023
Times of San Diego published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
May was small business month, an annual reminder that California small businesses need our leaders’ help.
Reject legislation that will increase costs, clog our courts, and enrich plaintiffs’ lawyers
Los Angeles Daily News - July 4, 2023
Los Angeles Daily News published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
Plaintiffs’ lawyers are at it again. They are pushing for policies that will further drive up the cost of doing business in California and saddle our over-burdened courts with more unnecessary litigation. It should be no surprise these policies will make lawyers richer.
Civil Justice Association of California Announces Passing of General Counsel Fred J. Hiestand
Hiestand served for a half-century advancing fairness and balance in California’s civil liability system.
Media Contact:
Julie Stephens
323.301.6646
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 7, 2023) – Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC)’s beloved general counsel, Fred J. Hiestand, passed away on July 2 in Sacramento, following a recent cancer diagnosis. Fred was CJAC’s general counsel and advocate since its founding in 1979.
All Californians win with a fair and balanced justice system
Capitol Weekly-April 25, 2023
Sen. Jones and Asm. Grayson Receive 2023 Civil Justice Gavels
Senator Jones and Assemblymember Grayson Recognized as Champions of Legal Reform
Civil Justice Association of California Announces 2023 Civil Justice Gavel Award Recipients
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (February 22, 2023)—The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) is pleased to announce that Senator Brian Jones (R-40) and Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D-15) are this year’s Civil Justice Gavel recipients.
Each year, CJAC awards the Civil Justice Gavel to one Democrat and one Republican legislator who display extraordinary leadership in promoting a fair, balanced civil justice system in California.
Daily Journal – August 8, 2022
SB 1149 will wreak havoc on California’s civil discovery process
SB 1149 forbids protective orders and confidential settlement agreements in any litigation involving alleged product defects or environmental hazards.
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
Daily Journal published version here.
Ford Motor Company Executive Elected As Chair of CJAC Board
Thomas Lawson Will Serve a Two-Year Term for the Association
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 28, 2022) – The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) today announced the CJAC Board of Directors has elected a new chair, Thomas Lawson, who serves as Regional Director, Western States for Ford Motor Company.
Lawsuits for thee but not for me
Los Angeles Daily News - May 25, 2022
Daily News published version here.
By The Editorial Board
Assembly Bill 2777, introduced by Asm. Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, is ostensibly a serious piece of legislation tackling a serious issue in society.
How Long is Too Long?
Daily Journal - May 17, 2022
Daily Journal published version here. May 17, 2022.
By Fred J. Hiestand
General Counsel, Civil Justice Association of California
Survivors of sexual abuse at the California Legislature and public universities shouldn’t be excluded
OC Register - May 18, 2022
OC Register published version here
CJAC Files 9th Circuit Brief Supporting Apple Inc. in its Epic Battle Over California’s Unfair Competition Law
April 28, 2022
CJAC Files 9th Circuit Brief Supporting Apple Inc. in its Epic Battle Over California’s Unfair Competition Law
Epic’s case charts the outer reaches of California’s Unfair Competition Law
Sen. Hurtado and Asm. Nguyen Receive 2022 Civil Justice Gavels
March 16, 2022
Senator Hurtado and Assemblymember Nguyen Recognized as Champions of Legal Reform
Civil Justice Association of California Announces 2022 “Civil Justice Gavel” Recipients
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (March 16, 2022)— The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) is pleased to announce that Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-14) and Assemblymember Janet Nguyen (R-72) are this year’s Civil Justice Gavel recipients.
California Named the Top ‘Judicial Hellhole’ in the Nation
The American Tort Reform Association Has Ranked Our State Not-So-Golden 16 years in a row
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (December 7, 2021) – California has landed the No. 1 spot on the American Tort Reform Association’s (ATRA) list of judicial hellholes, moving up from its No. 3 position last year. This is the 16th year California has been deemed a judicial hellhole.
Civil Justice Association of California Names Jaime Renee Huff Vice President of Public Policy
October 10, 2019
Sacramento, California – The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) today announced that it has hired Jaime Huff as Vice President of Public Policy, filling the open chief lobbyist position at the organization. Ms. Huff will begin October 14, 2019.
“We are thrilled to have someone of Jaime Huff’s experience and expertise join the CJAC Team,” said President and CEO Kyla Christoffersen Powell. “Her legal and policy background are major assets to our organization and will be a vital part of our ability to effectively advocate for legal reform.”
Civil Justice Association of California Names Kyla Christoffersen Powell President and CEO
April 16, 2019
Sacramento, California — The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) today announced that its board of directors has appointed Kyla Christoffersen Powell as President and Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Powell will begin work May 6th and succeeds John Doherty who left CJAC earlier this year.