COmmittees
LCJ’s advocacy is organized around six substantive committees, each working to advance LCJ proposals: Class Action, Cost Allocation, Discovery, Expert Evidence, Multidistrict Litigation; and Third-Party Litigation Funding. LCJ’s Amicus Committee has limited membership so that it can act promptly and nimbly in response to brief requests. LCJ also has two important non-substantive committees: Diversity and Young Lawyers, and Membership. Committees meet periodically and in working groups focused on specific projects.
If you are with an LCJ member company or law firm and are interested in deepening your engagement in LCJ through committee participation, please let us know using the “join a committee” button.
Amicus Committee
The Amicus Committee Identifies opportunities to advance LCJ’s advocacy positions by proactively identifying appropriate cases on which to submit amicus briefs and vetting amicus requests received from members and other organizations. The committee supervises the drafting of amicus briefs that are focused on the interpretations of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or address other topics directly related to LCJ’s unique experience and expertise.
Class action Committee
This committee advocates for improvements to rules governing class action litigation. The committee supports a proposal to amend Rule 23(b)(3) so courts may consider during the class action certification process companies' warranties, refunds, and private claims resolution options when determining whether a purported class action is “superior” to other means of “adjudicating” a controversy. Through this rule change, “no-value” class actions could be significantly reduced or eliminated.
Cost allocation Committee
The Cost Allocation Committee leads LCJ’s advocacy on behalf of rules that would promote sharing of discovery expenses as a self-executing way to focus parties on the merits of claims and defenses. The committee advocates rule amendments and state court pilot projects that would demonstrate the positive impact of cost allocation in discovery.
LCJ’s Discovery Committee leads the organization’s efforts to ensure the federal litigation system’s discovery rules are both efficient and effective. The Discovery Committee is currently focused on the proposal to improve the cost-effectiveness of handling privilege issues via privilege logs, on development of rules protecting confidential information and data privacy, and preserving the ability to file documents under seal.
Discovery Committee
Proposed Federal Rule of Evidence 702, now pending before Congress, is scheduled to become official in December 2023. The Expert Evidence Committee is continuing its advocacy for Rule 702, which clarifies the admissibility standards for expert evidence, and is working to educate the bench and bar about the implementation of the rule. The committee also supports state initiatives similarly improving expert evidence admissibility.
Expert evidence Committee
MDL Committee
The MDL Committee leads LCJ’s advocacy in support of amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that will bring transparency, balance, and predictability to federal multidistrict litigation. The Committee is currently focused on the proposed new Rule 16.1 now pending in the federal court rulemaking process.
TPLF Committee
Parties engaged in third-party litigation funding (TPLF) agreements are not currently required to disclose funding arrangements under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. This puts courts at risk for financial conflicts of interest and unnecessary case management challenges. The TPLF Committee leads LCJ’s advocacy on behalf of rules requiring TPLF disclosure in trial and appellate proceedings.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee works with LCJ’s Executive Director to identify potential members and methods for increasing LCJ’s membership base. Additionally, the committee provides advice and counsel on matters pertaining to membership retention.
Diversity and young lawyers Committee
The Diversity and Young Lawyers Committee works to ensure that LCJ’s services, activities and programs support the goal of a more diverse membership. LCJ is committed to ensuring that talented younger lawyers with fresh perspectives are in a position to participate in LCJ’s advocacy activities. This committee serves as a catalyst for new diversity-related initiatives, developed in coordination with LCJ’s Executive Director and staff.