The American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) has released a report revealing that the law firm Morgan & Morgan expended $24,413,237 on legal services advertisements in Georgia in 2023. ATRA President Sherman "Tiger" Joyce interpreted this as indicative of Georgia's "struggling legal climate and need for tort reform." The report was published on April 11.
According to the ATRA's findings, Morgan & Morgan outspent all other law firms on legal services advertisements in Georgia in 2023. Additionally, the firm aired the highest number of ads in the state, totaling 351,519.
Medium identifies Morgan & Morgan as one of "the most well-known personal injury law firms" nationwide, with offices across the United States. The firm has a reputation for securing billion-dollar settlements.
In a press release, Joyce expressed concern over the sheer volume of legal advertisements in Georgia, suggesting it underlines the state’s urgent need for tort reform. "This tidal wave of legal services ads blanketing Georgia is further evidence of the state’s struggling legal climate and need for tort reform," said Joyce. He further explained that this advertising competition both reflects and contributes to the issues plaguing the state's civil justice system by encouraging litigation and enriching trial lawyers. The report found that nearly 75% of all legal services advertisements broadcasted in Georgia in 2023 were from personal injury attorneys.
Rustin Silverstein, president and founder of X Ante, shared his view with the Travelers Institute that attorney advertisements lead to an increase in lawsuits. This surge in litigation subsequently results in higher insurance costs for consumers and elevated prices for goods and services. Silverstein noted that every American household pays a "tort tax" of $3,600 annually due to excessive litigation costs.
As stated on its website, ATRA is a nationwide network of state-based legal reform groups. The American Council of Engineering Companies established ATRA in 1986, and the American Medical Association soon joined. ATRA operates at both state and federal levels to ensure fairness in the civil justice system.