Chamber Ranks Legal Climates 

 

The U.S. Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) is turning up the heat on lawsuit abuse at the state level with the release of its annual Harris Interactive survey rankings of the country's best and worst legal environments in which to do business.

 

"The survey results send a clear message to states whose legal climate drives away businesses, jobs, and economic development: If you want a healthy state economy, clean up your act," says ILR President  Lisa Rickard. 

 

For the seventh year in a row, Delaware holds the top spot in the survey, with Nebraska, Maine, Indiana, and Utah rounding out the top five. West Virginia is ranked in last place for the third year in a row, while Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Illinois also garnered low marks. New Jersey and Florida saw noticeable declines, dropping nine spots to number 35 and six spots to 42, respectively.

 

The ILR/Harris Interactive survey-combined with ILR lobbying, advertising, and grassroots campaigns-has in recent years been a catalyst for significant legal reform in poorly ranked states such as Mississippi, West Virginia, and Texas. ILR will continue to push for more aggressive legal reform in these and other states with a national television and online advertising campaign showcasing this year's survey results.

To check your state, go to www.instituteforlegalreform.com/.

 

5 Best State Liability Environments
(1) Delaware
(2) Nebraska
(3) Maine
(4) Indiana
(5) Utah

 

5 Worst State Liability Environments
(50) West Virginia
(49) Louisiana
(48) Mississippi
(47) Alabama
(46) Illinois