AUSTIN, Texas, July 14, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Texans for Lawsuit Reform Chairman Richard W. Weekley spoke out on the wave of malfeasance among personal injury trial lawyers, saying recent high-profile convictions of several prominent attorneys undermines public trust in the civil justice system.
In a commentary published July 13th in the Houston Chronicle entitled, "The Cost of Crooked Lawyers," Weekley said:
"The price we pay for crooked lawyers and their unscrupulous deeds goes beyond jobs lost, companies ruined and dreams lost. The collective impact of their devious actions serves to undermine a common belief in justice and respect for the law."
Weekley cited the recent conviction of Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, for bribery, the $41.4 million fine plaintiff attorney John O'Quinn was forced to pay for improperly charging legal expenses and the kickback convictions of Melvyn Weiss and Bill Lerach as examples of recent plaintiff attorney scandals that have disgraced the legal profession.
To read "The Cost of Crooked Lawyers," go to www.tortreform.com.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform is the state's largest civil justice reform organization. TLR is a bipartisan, volunteer-led coalition with more than 16,000 supporters residing in 818 Texas communities and representing 1,266 different businesses, professions and trades. For more information about TLR visit www.tortreform.com.
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