Courtrooms across the country are turning into casinos. Lawyers are increasingly bringing bogus lawsuits, based on emotional appeal and junk science, seeking “jackpot” verdicts disconnected from actual harm. Third parties, such as hedge funds, are financing these lawsuits, betting on the cases in exchange for a cut of the lawyers’ winnings. Profits, not justice, are driving outcomes.

This affects everyone. Abuse of the legal system generates higher operating costs for businesses, professionals, and governments, and citizens absorb those costs through higher prices for goods and services and higher taxes. A recent study found that in 2020, New Jersey’s lawsuit system cost each household approximately $5,059, making it one of the most expensive systems in the nation. Another recent study found that New Jersey ranked near the top of the list of states with the most nuclear verdicts (i.e., lawsuits with verdicts of $10 million or more) from 2010 to 2019.

The New Jersey Civil Justice Institute (“NJCJI”) exists to address this problem. NJCJI fights to maintain a civil justice system that fairly and efficiently resolves cases based on clear legal standards and reliable evidence. NJCJI advocates for legal reform initiatives and against court decisions and proposed laws that disturb the balance of the system. NJCJI’s staff is supported by an extensive network of nationally recognized attorneys and policy experts from some of largest law firms and in-house legal departments in the nation. This affords NJCJI a deep understanding of the real-world impact of court decisions and legislation.