ATRA Applauds Laura Ellsworth for Signing 2018 Transparency Code

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2018 – The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) today praised Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Laura Ellsworth for embracing good-government principles by signing ATRA’s 2018 Transparency Code pledge and for her promise to support some version of the Transparency in Private Attorney Contracting (TiPAC) model legislation supported by ATRA.

“By signing our pledge, Laura Ellsworth proved that she is committed to transparent, accountable government,” said ATRA president Tiger Joyce. “We are still awaiting a response from the other candidates running in the primary as well as the incumbent Governor and are hopeful we will receive favorable responses soon,” added Joyce.

ATRA developed the Transparency Code as a collection of model policies that should govern the use of outside counsel by state attorneys general. ATRA is committed to working with state and local leaders to improve national competitiveness by removing the excessive barriers our civil justice system poses to economic developments and job creation. Naturally, governors play an important role in these efforts as states’ head officer.

Such officers need the discretion and independence to enforce the laws of their respective states free from the influence of parties that may have a private interest in the outcome of litigation. Therefore, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has asked all three candidates in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race as well as the incumbent Governor to sign a transparency code pledge.

“In every instance, the governor should seek to provide the highest quality services at the best value to state citizens when contracting with outside counsel,” said Joyce. “The signing of this pledge is critical to bringing transparency and accountability to the post of governor in the state of Pennsylvania.”

“Many states have already passed laws which reflect the principles of the Transparency Code,” said Joyce. “We hope to build on these best practices by working with the next Governor of Pennsylvania to support enactment of this important reform in 2019.”

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The American Tort Reform Association, based in Washington, D.C., is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to tort and liability reform through public education and the enactment of legislation. Its members include nonprofit organizations and small and large companies, as well as trade, business and professional associations from the state and national level.

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