Today’s news release from the American Association for Justice:
Roll Call (12/15, Murray) reported, “While acknowledging that new House and Senate Democratic majorities will mean trimmer legislative wish lists, GOP-leaning trade associations are hardly undergoing a major retooling of their lobbying or political shops” although “a new political environment may mean fashioning a new interpretation of business as usual.” Roll Call adds, “Trade groups with traditionally GOP-leaning agendas also say that the 49-member Blue Dog Coalition undoubtedly will provide the shortest route to Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) ear.” Also, “Democratic-leaning groups such as the American Association for Justice, formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America…say they’re expecting ‘nothing unusual’ in their political or lobbying lineup, although Linda Lipsen, the group’s lobbyist, acknowledges that with Democrats now in charge, it allows the group to be ‘more proactive.'” She said, “It’s certainly easier” because “a lot of the Democratic offices are focused on consumers, so that it may be easier to make a policy argument.” However, “despite an apparent sympathetic majority in Congress, Lipsen said her group isn’t letting its guard down on its marquee lobbying issues: staving off tort reform.” Lipsen said, “The lobby infrastructure that wants to promote immunity never goes away.”
