CALA Executive Director Tom Scott Named Legal Watchdog of the Year

SACRAMENTO – California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) today announced that its Executive Director, Tom Scott, received the prestigious national Legal Watchdog Award from the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA), based in Washington, D.C., at its annual meeting in November.

Scott has served as CALA’s Executive Director for more than a decade, and has become well-known to business and community leaders, legislators and reporters as a fierce proponent of legal reform, informing local and national audiences about the harmful impacts of lawsuit abuse and the need for tort reform.

“Tom Scott has been a tireless advocate for legal reform in California,” said David Houston, CALA Co-Chair. “In addition to his strong presence in the community, Scott has become a staple in the blogosphere, on Facebook and on Twitter advocating for legal reform and is a regular source of information for reporters across the state.”

ATRA recognized Scott for his efforts in mobilizing CALA’s more than 50,000 supporters to reach out to their local, state and national representatives to support or oppose bills that would create or weaken legal reform in California. In its 2011 session, California’s Legislature passed a legal reform and did not pass any bills that would increase the potential for abuse of the legal system.

"It is an extraordinary honor to receive this award," Scott said. "It is shared with all of CALA’s supporters who worked diligently to keep the issue of lawsuit abuse in the forefront of public attention. We look forward to continuing our mission to educate consumers on the human and financial cost of lawsuit abuse."