Civil Justice Association of California

At a time when California faces serious budget pressure, AI is driving investment, jobs, and critical tax revenue. Rushing broad, litigation-heavy regulations under political pressure risks turning one of our strongest economic engines into the next lawsuit gold rush.

Governor Gavin Newsom should continue taking a measured, thoughtful approach. California can lead in responsible AI governance - but smart oversight must protect consumers without driving innovation, investment, and jobs out of state.

California can’t afford to turn AI into the next lawsuit gold rush - Capitol Weekly OPINION - AI is helping carry California through a difficult fiscal moment. Turning it into the next lawsuit gold rush would be an act of self-sabotage.

Excessive litigation and shakedown lawsuits are crippling California’s economy. Today, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) released its Economic Impact of Lawsuit Abuse report, proving what we already known: excessive tort costs and massive nuclear awards hurt consumers, small and large businesses, and the economy. Read more about the report from CALA here: https://cala.com/news/economic-impact-of-lawsuit-abuse

“Legal reform can transform our economy.”

Jaime Huff is calling out LA’s surge in “nuclear verdicts” — verdicts that jack up costs, gut small businesses, and punish everyday Californians. She’s pushing for a justice system that’s fair, not financially explosive.

Los Angeles Tops American Tort Reform Association's 'Judicial Hellholes' List This Year| Law.com The annual 'Judicial Hellholes' report listed Los Angeles as No. 1 due to a $966 million talc verdict and racketeering lawsuits filed by Ford and Uber against several Southern California plaintiffs' attorneys.

In a recent report naming Los Angeles the most challenging U.S. city for civil litigation due to skyrocketing “nuclear verdicts,” Jaime Huff, President & CEO of the Civil Justice Association of California, offered a powerful perspective on the broader economic impact of lawsuit abuse. Huff emphasized that these outsized verdicts and an outdated legal system aren’t just courtroom headlines - they carry real consequences for jobs, small businesses, and economic growth across California.

‘Nuclear verdicts’ make Los Angeles most hellacious U.S. city for lawsuits Hell on earth is a Los Angeles courtroom. A report released this week by the American Tort Reform Foundation found that LA is the worst region in the country for “judicial hellholes,” and residents…

Los Angeles was just named the number one in the country - and Californians are paying an annual $2,500 lawsuit tax due to billboard lawyers' weaponization of the judicial system.

If lawmakers are serious about lowering costs on everyday goods - like groceries and gas - they need to tackle lawsuit abuse.

CJAC filed an amicus brief in Stoker v. Blue Origin, LLC, an Ending Forced Arbitration Act (EFAA) case before California’s Second Appellate District. Read the brief here: https://tinyurl.com/2yxd2s8a

Jaime Huff Named President & CEO of the Civil Justice Association of California

The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) today announced the appointment of Jaime Huff as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2025.

“Jaime is an exceptional leader whose experience and integrity make her the right person to guide CJAC forward,” said David Topp, CJAC’s Board Chairman. “She has built a career on collaboration, accountability, and results – qualities that reflect the very mission of CJAC.”

A veteran policy strategist and attorney with more than 20 years of experience in government affairs, litigation reform and corporate advocacy, Huff will lead CJAC’s ongoing efforts to promote balance and fairness in California’s civil justice system.

“California’s legal system has been gamed to reward plaintiffs’ lawyers while driving up the cost-of-living for everybody else,” said Huff. “I’m honored to return to CJAC and lead the fight for reforms that lower costs, promote fairness and make our legal system work for Californians.”

A Proven Advocate for Reform
Huff brings a strong record of legislative and legal experience to the role. Most recently, she served as Senior Public Policy Lead for Amazon, overseeing the company’s government affairs strategy across California.

Prior to that, she spent five years at CJAC as Vice President and Counsel for Public Policy, where she directed legislative strategy, led coalitions and testified before the Legislature on issues impacting employers, local governments and consumers.

Her earlier experience includes senior political affairs roles at Southern California Edison, as well as positions in the California State Assembly and U.S. Congress.

Huff holds a Juris Doctor from Baylor University, a B.A. in Political Science (magna cm laude) from American University, and an Executive Leadership for Women certificate from Cornell University. She is licensed to practice law in California and by the Supreme Court of the United States.

CJAC filed an amicus letter brief in Ramirez v. Law Offices of Adam Zolonz, an Ending Forced Arbitration Act (EFAA) case before the Supreme Court of California. Read the brief here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3p6anc

CJAC filed an amicus in brief in Epic Games v. Apple, an antitrust/UCL case before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Read the brief here: https://tinyurl.com/bddy3j8r

CJAC filed an amicus in brief in Yeh v. Twitter, a critical data privacy/UCL case. Read the brief here: https://tinyurl.com/3nh375jv

We applaud the CA State Senators who voted against in Judiciary committee this evening.

This unconstitutional bill would have led to a massive increase in the state's cost of living and done nothing to help rebuild the communities destroyed by January's wildfires.