I’ve spent more than a decade in the California Assembly, and it has been my honor to serve the people of Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties. During my time in office, I have worked on countless issues affecting families, workers, and small businesses across my district. But one challenge has continued unaddressed for too long: lawsuit abuse.
The increasing abuse of our civil justice system is hurting people all over the country, but the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual “Judicial Hellholes” report singled out Los Angeles as the worst jurisdiction in the nation this year. This designation stems from our region’s skyrocketing number of “nuclear verdicts”, which are payouts worth tens of millions of dollars over a single case. LA is a Judicial Hellhole also because of the continued exploitation of laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Private Attorneys General Act, which have empowered bad actors to use shakedown lawsuits to squeeze small businesses for cash settlements. As a representative of the people of Los Angeles, I worry that if the State doesn’t take action soon, this trend will only worsen, pushing more and more businesses out of state.
During the 2026 legislative session, I am hopeful there will be a larger effort by my fellow colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to support and sign comprehensive legal reform into law, helping to ensure our legal system remains focused on delivering real justice to those in need.
Assemblyman Tom Lackey represents California’s 36th district, which serves Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino Counties.