National Federation of Independent Businesses: Small business applauds legal reforms signed by governor

Contact: Bill G. Smith, Wisconsin State Director, 608-255-6083 (o), 608-516-9872 (cell),bill.smith@nfib.org. or Tony Malandra, Senior Media Manager, 415-640-5156,anthony.malandra@nfib.org

Assembly Bill 773 will reduce the complexity, costs of civil lawsuits

MADISON, Wis., April 3, 2018NFIB, the state’ leading small-business association, applauded the signing of legislation, today, that makes some much-needed reforms to Wisconsin’s civil justice system.

“This new law is of great importance to small business, the broader business community, and the people of Wisconsin who find themselves either a defendant or plaintiff in a civil lawsuit,” said Bill G. Smith, state director of the Wisconsin chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business.

Smith, who also serves as president of the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, commended Gov. Scott Walker for signing Assembly Bill 773 into law, and for making civil liability reform a key priority for Wisconsin’s Small Business Agenda.  “The complexity and high transaction costs of civil lawsuits can be especially challenging for small-business owners,” said Smith. “We are grateful to the authors of this legislation, including Sens. Tom Tiffany (Hazelhurst) and Dave Craig (Big Bend) and Reps. Mark Born (Beaver Dam) and John Nygren (Marinette) for their leadership and commitment to meaningful civil justice reform that will reduce litigation costs for small business, modernize civil court procedures, and help eliminate abusive discovery practices.”

A summary of Assembly Bill 773, provided by the Wisconsin Civil Justice Council, can be read here.