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Republican Trial Lawyers Gather in Washington for Lobby Day

(Tuesday, May 16, 2006 -Washington DC)— Republican trial lawyers from across the country are gathering in Washington this week to meet with lawmakers and speak in support of protecting and strengthening the nation’s civil justice system.

The lobby day is sponsored by the Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), an organization dedicated to safeguarding justice for all and preserving the constitutional right to trial by jury.

“There exists a perception in some quarters that trial lawyers support only Democrats and that only Democrats support the trial lawyers’ agenda," said Jeff B. Feinman, of Merion Station, PA, one of the attorneys expecting to visit Capitol Hill and the chair of the Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus. “But the fact is we, as Republicans, believe that no individual, company or industry is above the law and that justice is a non-partisan issue."

The GOP attorneys will meet with members of the U.S. House and Senate. Among the issues on which they will lobby members is the upcoming medical malpractice legislation in the House.

“People seem to forget that Abraham Lincoln was a Republican and a trial lawyer,’’ said James McGarry, of Staten Island, NY, another attorney attending the Republican lobby day activities. “The goal here is to reach out to elected officials and explain to them that the values of the Republican Party and the civil justice system, including states' rights and individual responsibility, are one and the same.’’

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As the world's largest trial bar, ATLA promotes justice and fairness for injured persons, defends the constitutional right to trial by jury, and strengthens the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. With 60,000 members worldwide, ATLA provides lawyers with the information and professional assistance they need to serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values of the civil justice system.