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The Coalition for Common Sense (CCS) is a group of professional associations, companies and individuals committed to ensuring a fair legal climate for both truly impaired individuals and small and large businesses operating in the state.
Formed in 2008, the group has been successful in passing legislation to clarify the rules on expert witness testimony, which saves the courts both time and money. The need for additional civil justice reform continues.

Why do we need civil justice reform?

In 2011, the American Tort Reform Association placed Louisiana on its annual "Judicial Hellholes" watchlist because of the conduct of some judges who do not apply the law evenly to all litigants and do not conduct trials in a fair and balanced manner.
In 2010, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform ranked Louisiana's court system as one of the least fair and reasonable in the United States.
In 2008, Public Opinion Strategies found that 89 percent of Louisiana's small business owners think frivolous lawsuits hamper the state's business climate.

And the trend continues today. The U.S. Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform recently released the 2012 Legal Climate Report, which ranks the states' tort liability systems. For the third year in a row, Louisiana ranks 49th among all 50 states in the fairness of its litigation environment.

CCS will continue to work to ensure a fair legal climate for Louisiana.

2013 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session

The 2013 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session will end at 6 PM on June 3, 2013.

SB 166 by Sen. Claitor passed off the Senate floor on April 29 on a vote of 34-1. The bill now advances to its first stop on the House side - the House Committee on Commerce - where it will be heard Monday, May 13. Please contact the committee to voice your support for the legislation!

HB 472 by Rep. Jay Morris is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary A. This is a good class action reform bill dealing with the certification of a class.

HB 321 by Rep. Huval is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee on Judiciary A. This bill provides for expedited jury trials.