FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2005

ISA Joins New Coalition To Stop Lawsuit Abuse

Alexandria, VA ­ The International Sign Association (ISA) has joined more than 70 professional organizations to support the federal Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act (LARA). This common-sense legislation would help put an end to the abuse of the civil justice system through “junk” lawsuits and forum shopping. These abuses are a threat to American small businesses, including those in the sign industry.

The Lawsuit Abuse Reform Coalition (LARC) represents a broad spectrum of American businesses and was formed in partnership with the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA). In addition to ISA, coalition members include the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform.

“Lawsuit abuse has become an increasingly serious topic nationwide,” said Tiger Joyce, LARC Chairman and ATRA President. “The coalition represents millions of small business that have been or are potential victims of some of the worst abuses of our civil justice system—frivolous lawsuits and forum shopping.”

“Litigation has the potential to put small sign companies out of business,” said Thomas Claus, ISA’s Government and Technical Services Director. “This coalition is working to secure passage of legislation to better protect small businesses from lawsuit abuse. They simply can’t afford to be unfairly preyed upon.”

ISA is a 2,200 member organization composed of manufacturers, users, and suppliers of on-premise signs and sign products produced by more than 400,000 employees in all 50 states and 69 foreign countries. ISA exists to support, promote, and improve the $30 billion-a-year sign industry, which sustains the nation’s nearly $3 trillion-a-year retail industry.

ISA (Internatonal Sign Association)
Alexandria, VA
Phone: 703-836-4012
Website URL: www.signs.org