Lawyers for civil justice
Shaping the future
of litigation.
LCJ brings together leading corporations, preeminent law firms, and national defense bar organizations to collaborate on initiatives to improve the procedural fairness and efficiency of the U.S. civil litigation system. Overly burdensome and unbalanced litigation rules hamper the just resolution of disputes by adding unnecessary costs and creating uncertainty for litigants. LCJ leads efforts to improve rules related to civil litigation by proposing rule amendments and engaging in the rulemaking process conducted by the U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure and its advisory committees on civil, evidence, and appellate rules.
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Improvements to Federal and State Expert Evidence Practices Underway
Recent amendments to FRE 702 clarify standards that trial courts must follow to meet “gatekeeping” requirements for expert evidence admissibility. The amendments, resulting from years of work by LCJ and its members, are “important to our system of justice,” notes LCJ president John Kuppens. LCJ is continuing to educate the bench and bar on how amended Rule 702 improves the “fairness” of the justice system and is supporting initiatives to adopt consistent state rules.
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Amicus Briefs Urge Adherence to Newly Amended Expert Evidence Standards
Recently amended Federal Rule of Evidence 702, and state rule counterparts, provide critical clarity about expert evidence admissibility standards, as recent amicus briefs explain.
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LCJ Comment Seeks Tools to Address MDL Claim Insufficiency
LCJ urges new tools to address claim insufficiency in proposed MDL Rule 16.1, in its Comment to the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules.
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LCJ Urges Edits to Proposed Privilege Log Amendments
LCJ is urging the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules to improve its proposed FRCP amendments on privilege logs to end the default to document-by-document privilege logging.
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LCJ Proposes Amendments on Privacy, Cyber Risk
LCJ proposes creating a comprehensive structure to proactively protect privacy rights and avoid cyber security risks in civil litigation in a new Rules Suggestion filed with the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules. You can read the proposal here.
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LCJ and 55 Companies Urge Changes to MDL and Privilege Log FRCP Proposals
LCJ and 55 companies are urging revisions to the proposed FRCP Rule 16.1 and proposed privilege log amendments in new filings with the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules. LCJ’s Comment reveals new empirical data showing that up to 75% MDL claims are dismissed as insufficient.
Together we’re making a difference
LCJ advocates for improvements to procedural and evidentiary rules through the federal civil litigation rule amendment process. LCJ members work together to identify critical issues, develop proposals, and organize advocacy initiatives, as well as amicus and communications programs. Together, LCJ members have built an unparalleled record of success and continue to advance impactful new proposals.
Establish Rules for MDLs
Multi-district litigation is now over 70% of federal cases. LCJ seeks dedicated MDL rules to improve clarity, fairness and certainty.
Modernize Privilege Logs
LCJ advocates for rule amendments to improve currently burdensome privilege log processes.
Change Expert Evidence Practices
FRE Rule 702 amendments clarify the standards for expert evidence and the role of judges as gatekeepers on evidence admission decisions.
Ensure TPLF Disclosure
Third-party litigation funding impacts litigation but is largely conducted in secret. LCJ seeks to ensure disclosure of TPLF agreements for the courts and parties.
Improve Cyber Security
Litigation discovery can expose confidential and private data to theft. LCJ seeks to improve cyber security and address privacy rights in discovery.
Get Involved
Members are encouraged to deepen their involvement through committee participation.
Interested in membership? Learn more about LCJ member opportunities and benefits.
LCJ’s Fellows program engages rising defense bar leaders in LCJ’s issue development and advocacy work.