Trial Lawyer Political-Giving

The New York Times recently published an article entitled, “Fund-Raiser May Be Achilles’ Heel for Gore” in their June 4th edition, which outlined the growing influence of trial lawyers over American politics. In particular, the article focused on Fred Baron, the soon to be president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA).

Trial lawyers like Mr. Baron, who reaped millions by representing plaintiffs in suits filed against the asbestos industry, funnel millions into the political system. As the article espouses, trial lawyers gave $4.4 million dollars to Democratic candidates and political candidates in 1999, an increase of 150 percent over contributions made on their behalf in the last presidential election. Reportedly, Mr. Baron’s firm gave $135,000 in campaign contributions to the Democrats in 1999.

The trial lawyer political-giving has helped bring about and sustain the current climate of our civil justice system. The “Top Ten Verdicts of 1999” surpassed the total dollar value of 1998 by 200 percent, totaling nearly $9 billion.

Click on the following icon for the details of the New York Times article entitled, “Fund-Raiser May Be Achilles’ Heel for Gore.”

Click on the following icon for the details of the January 1, 2000, Lawyers Weekly article entitled, “The Top Ten Verdicts of 1999.”