Follow the Money: New Jersey Trial Lawyers Edition
ATRA’s latest reports reveal the deep ties between trial lawyers and New Jersey politics, uncovering trends in legal services advertising and campaign contributions.
Legal Services Advertising
2023: $105.3 Million Spent on 642,600 Ads by Trial Lawyers
85% Increase in the Number of Radio Ads for Trial Lawyers Since 2019
91% Increase in Spending on Outdoor and Out-of-Home Trial Lawyer Ads Since 2019
$15.8 Million in Ad Buys from Morgan & Morgan
Political Contributions
$2 Million in Campaign Contributions from Top 20 Plaintiffs’ Firms for Statewide Political Giving Since 2017
Two Largest Plaintiffs’ Firm Campaign Donors, 2017-2023:
- Malamut & Associates ($278,000+ Donated Since 2017)
- Javerbaum Wurgraft ($234,000+ Donated Since 2017)
$412,000+ Donated to New Jersey Association for Justice PAC from the Top 20 Plaintiffs’ Firms Analyzed
“These reports provide keen insight into the operation of the ‘trial lawyer playbook,’ pointing to a system easily skewed against consumers and taxpayers. Excessive legal advertising creates a culture of litigation and inflates costs. Additionally, the close financial ties between trial lawyers and politicians raise concerns about undue influence and a lack of transparency.”
ATRA President Tiger Joyce
“Trial lawyers continue to pump significant money into these ad buys because, armed with more clients, they can boost settlements and payouts when they go after large corporations, ultimately raking in larger contingency fees for themselves. Then, their strategic campaign investments serve to keep the status quo aligned in their favor.”
ATRA President Tiger Joyce
A 2019 FDA study shows the real-life consequences of these ads. The report found 66 reports of adverse events following patients discontinuing their blood thinner medication (Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis or Savaysa) after viewing a lawyer advertisement. The median patient age was 70 and 98% stopped medication use without consulting with their doctor. Thirty-three patients experienced a stroke, 24 experienced another serious injury, and seven people died.
“It’s my opinion that the tone and content of these advertisements imply qualitative judgments about these medications that is just not true.
When you say call 1-800-BAD-DRUG, that clearly implies it’s a bad drug, which runs counter to current medical evidence and also to the FDA’s recommendations.”
Dr. Shawn H. Fleming, doctor for one of the deceased, testifying before Congress
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