Litigation

In the House, a new chairman of the Judiciary Committee

By Carter Wood

With Republicans soon to take control of the U.S. House, chairman of the Judiciary Committee will be Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), a conservative who has served as ranking member. News coverage has played up his interest in enforcement of the immigration laws, but he is also a vocal supporter of medical liability reform. (See these November 2009 remarks from The Congressional Record.)

We were also impressed by his handling of the House opposition during the floor debate on H.R. 847, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, a trial lawyer giveaway.

The trade publication/website Main Justice has more on Smith's agenda, "Texan, Likely Chairman of House Judiciary Panel, Outlines Agenda." The Journal of Accountancy describes Smith as "a champion for the [accounting] profession's positions on tax strategy patents and liability."

In the Senate Judiciary, Sen. Pat Leahy (D-VT) will likely continue as chairman in the 112^th Congress, but Sens. Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Arlen Specter (D-PA) will bid adieu. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) is likely to rise to ranking member, replacing Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

• Blog of the Legal Times, "Election Shakes Up Senate Judiciary Committee"
• New York Times, "Election Likely to Affect EPA Litigation, Judicial Nominations"
• Main Justice, "Republican Gains in Senate Mean New Faces on Judiciary"

Full post as published by Point of Law on November 05, 2010 (boomark / email).