CJAC in the News
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.
Civil Justice Association of California Releases Legislative Balance Scorecard for 2022
January 24, 2023
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2023
Contact: Jaime Huff, press@cjac.org
Civil Justice Association of California Releases Legislative Scorecard for 2022
Annual Balance Scorecard ranks California legislators’ support for fair, balanced civil justice system
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.
Civil Justice Association of California Releases Legislative Balance Scorecard for 2021
February 23, 2022
For Immediate Release
February 23, 2022
Contact: Jessica Love, press@cjac.org, (916)
759-6486
Civil Justice Association of California Releases
Legislative Scorecard for 2021
Annual Balance Scorecard ranks California legislators’
support for fair, balanced civil justice system
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.
Give More Money to Clients by Limiting What Lawyers Can Keep
Daily Journal - October 29, 2021
Daily Journal published version here
By Fred J. Hiestand
Civil Justice Association of California proposes statewide ballot initiatives to protect injured consumers
October 6, 2021
SACRAMENTO, Calif., October 6, 2021—The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) today submitted two statewide initiative proposals for the November 2022 ballot to ensure injured consumers receive more of the compensation they deserve and that they receive it sooner.
Court Rulings on Roundup Show Disregard for Scientific Standards
Daily Journal - February 3, 2021
Daily Journal published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
California is the center of innovation for the U.S., with world-class universities, cutting edge research and development, and many of the best and brightest entrepreneurs. Fittingly, the state also as a whole respects science as a sound basis for problem-solving and decision-making.
Civil Justice Association of California Introduces First-Ever Legislative Scorecard
January 19, 2021
For Immediate Release
January 19, 2021
Contact: Julie Roberts, (925)286-9390
Civil Justice Association of California introduces first-ever legislative scorecard. The Balance Scorecard ranks California legislators’ support for fair, balanced civil justice system
Why California voters should reject Prop. 24
The Mercury News - October 27, 2020
In these uncertain times, California’s businesses are struggling with implementing COVID-19 prevention measures, managing remote workforces, and paying salaries and expenses as they try to stay afloat.
This has been on top of burdens brought on by California’s new sweeping privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) which was enacted by the Legislature in late 2018 and took effect on Jan. 1 this year.
Online liability bill will harm small businesses
SF Chronicle - August 25, 2020
SF Chronicle published version here
Civil Justice Association of California awards “Civil Justice Gavel” to Senators Chang and Glazer
July 29, 2020
Civil Justice Association of California awards “Civil
Justice Gavel” to Senators Chang and Glazer
Senators recognized as legislative champions of legal
reform
Sacramento, Calif., July 29, 2020 – The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC), on behalf of its board and membership, is pleased to present the first annual Civil Justice Gavel Award to Senators Ling Ling Chang (R – Diamond Bar) and Steven Glazer (D – Orinda).
Too Soon to Enact Another Expansive Privacy Statute by Initiative
June 25, 2020
Too Soon to Enact Another Expansive Privacy Statute by Initiative CPRA threatens California Businesses with excessive litigation
Sacramento, Calif., June 25, 2020 – The Civil Justice Association of California released the following statement from President and CEO, Kyla Christoffersen Powell regarding the eligibility of the California Privacy Rights Act for the November 2020 ballot.
State should protect essential businesses from frivolous and predatory lawsuits
CalMatters - June 9, 2020
CalMatters published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an extremely trying situation for essential businesses, which have stepped up in amazing and heroic ways to provide the goods and services that Californians rely on daily.
Civil Justice Association and Industry Leaders Request COVID-19 Emergency Liability Reduction
April 21, 2020
Critical services threatened by litigation amidst supporting efforts
Sacramento, Calif., April 21, 2020 – The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) with a coalition of almost four dozen business organizations representing a broad range of California industry sectors have sent a letter to Governor Newsom requesting immediate action to address a mounting threat of litigation against critical businesses and nonprofits working during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
Calif. Auto Defect Law Incentivizes Overlitigation
Law 360 - April 7, 2020
Law360 published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
Businesses Struggle to Comply With Unclear ADA Website Requirements
OC Register - December 7, 2019
OC Register published version here
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.”
AB 1270 – Legislation Will Promote Frivolous Shakedown Lawsuits
Daily Journal - August 29, 2019
Daily Journal published version here
By Kyla Christoffersen Powell
The trial lawyer bar is pushing a bill to change and expand laws to “solve” tax fraud with a vague and confusing piece of legislation that promotes frivolous shakedown lawsuits. The last thing California needs right now is another shakedown lawsuit mechanism to trap unwary businesses.
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.