NFIB and the Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) hosted a Small Business Roundtable today at Mestizo Louisiana-Mexican Cuisine in Baton Rouge. The event brought together small business owners and state leaders to discuss ongoing legal reform efforts and the economic impact of lawsuit abuse in Louisiana.

Speakers included Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and state Rep. Emily Chenevert, who provided updates on recent legislative action and discussed the need for continued reforms.

NFIB State Director Leah Long said the roundtable gave small business owners an opportunity to hear new data on the cost of lawsuit abuse and speak directly with policymakers.

“Small business owners end up paying more in litigation costs,” Long said. “The legislature has done a lot to address the issue, but we need to do more.”

Louisiana ranked No. 4 this year on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual Judicial Hellholes report. According to the report, lawsuit abuse in the Bayou State drew national attention in 2025 when the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review whether the state’s ongoing coastal litigation cases belong in federal or state court.

More than 40 coastal cases are currently pending in Louisiana state courts. The first case to go to trial this year resulted in a verdict exceeding $740 million.

Long said NFIB will continue working with lawmakers to pursue additional reforms aimed at improving Louisiana’s legal climate and protecting small businesses.