Small Business Owner, NFIB Experts Speak Out on Lawsuit Abuse Reform

July 18, 2023

Small Business Rundown podcast discusses lawsuit abuse reform, highlighting a victory in Florida and national trends

Small Business Owner, NFIB Experts Speak Out on Lawsuit Abuse Reform

The latest Small Business Rundown podcast included small business owner Michelle Smith, NFIB’s Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle, and Vice President of NFIB State Government Relations Tim Goodrich, diving into the hard-hitting reality of lawsuit abuse and its predatory practices, unraveling the implications for those on the receiving end. Through real-world examples and expert opinions, the ways in which these practices undermine the operations of small businesses are discussed. A state once labeled a Judicial Hellhole, Florida has made significant progress in addressing lawsuit abuse with the passage of landmark reform legislation. In the podcast, Herrle shares insights into this profound shift and the considerable role that NFIB members, such as Michelle, played in aiding this much-needed change. “We [got the bill passed] with members like Michelle, and a lot of other members, stepping up to the plate,” explained Herrle. “We had members travel to Tallahassee to testify before legislative committees. We had members tape testimonial videos for the Florida House of Representatives, and we had literally thousands of members engage in record numbers responding to NFIB alerts that we were very judicious about sending out at just the right time.” Michelle expands upon her personal experience in coping with a frivolous predatory lawsuit against her small business. The discussion among the guests explored how a handful of attorneys’ practices seek out businesses appearing to have financial means and engage in legal action – all without giving owners the opportunity to rectify any alleged oversights. Michelle shares the role she played in championing reform in Florida, noting the critical role of NFIB’s advocacy efforts. “The other thing that NFIB did for me as a business owner was that it gave me direct access to the legislator,” said Michelle. “So, in addition to being very skillful in putting those meetings with committees and conversations together, for me personally, the biggest advantage that I got out of that was having direct conversations with not only legislators but with the governor.” Testimonies from business owners like Michelle highlight the need for change and illustrate the challenges that small business owners face. The battle against lawsuit abuse is more than just legal reform – it’s about protecting the backbone of the U.S. economy and creating a future where small businesses can thrive without fear of frivolous or predatory lawsuits.

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Topics:

Legal

Regulations

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