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CJAC in the News

CJAC in the News

Overview

Stay current on the civil justice debate in California. View news stories, press releases, and the latest on CJAC’s civil justice reform efforts. 

OP Ed

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.

Press Release

Civil Justice Association of California Announces 2024 “Civil Justice Gavel” Recipients

Senator Anna Caballero and Senator Roger Niello Recognized as Leaders in Legal Reform

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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.

Press Release

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.

OP Ed

Reject legislation that will increase costs, clog our courts, and enrich plaintiffs’ lawyers

Los Angeles Daily News - July 4, 2023

Arbitration text
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.

Press Release

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.

Press Release

Sen. Jones and Asm. Grayson Receive 2023 Civil Justice Gavels

Senator Jones and Assemblymember Grayson Recognized as Champions of Legal Reform

Image of Sen. Brian Jones and Asm. Tim Grayson

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.

OP Ed

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.

Press Release

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.

OP Ed

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.

OP Ed

How Long is Too Long?

Daily Journal - May 17, 2022

Image of the Capital

Daily Journal published version here. May 17, 2022.

By Fred J. Hiestand
General Counsel, Civil Justice Association of California

Press Release

Sen. Hurtado and Asm. Nguyen Receive 2022 Civil Justice Gavels

March 16, 2022

Image of Senator Melissa Hurtado and Assemblymember Janet Nguyen

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.

Press Release

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.

OP Ed

Court Rulings on Roundup Show Disregard for Scientific Standards

Daily Journal - February 3, 2021

Image of the Golden Gate bridge

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.

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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.

Press Release

Too Soon to Enact Another Expansive Privacy Statute by Initiative

June 25, 2020

Image of a phone with CCPA on it

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.

Press Release

Civil Justice Association and Industry Leaders Request COVID-19 Emergency Liability Reduction

April 21, 2020

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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.

Press Release

Civil Justice Association of California Names Jaime Renee Huff Vice President of Public Policy

October 10, 2019

Jaime Huff

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.”

OP Ed

AB 1270 – Legislation Will Promote Frivolous Shakedown Lawsuits

Daily Journal - August 29, 2019

Image of the capital behind trees

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.

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