Mahsa Poorak, CEO of Southern Electric Company, LLC, said that businesses across Georgia are in strong support of Governor Brian Kemp's tort reform efforts. This statement was made on LinkedIn on January 30.
"Businesses in our state showed up strong to support Governor Kemp's tort reform efforts," said Poorak, according to LinkedIn. "It was incredible standing on the steps behind him with medical professionals, construction workers, convenience store owners, and many more. The turnout demonstrated what we already know: tort reform is desperately needed by almost every industry in our state. The growth of civil claims in our state is much higher than our population growth."
According to Poorak, professionals from various industries in Georgia are rallying behind Governor Kemp for the announcement of the legislation. The diverse turnout included medical professionals, construction workers, and small business owners, highlighting the widespread need for reform. Governor Kemp emphasized that changes to Georgia’s current civil litigation system are necessary to ensure fairness and economic growth.
Poorak's Jan 30 statement
| LinkedIn.com
On February 7, 2025, Protecting American Consumers Together (PACT) released a poll indicating that 72% of Georgia voters believe lawsuit abuse contributes to rising costs of goods and services. There is bipartisan agreement on this issue among Republicans (88%), independents (64%), and Democrats (62%). The survey, conducted by Public Opinion Strategies from February 2-5, 2025, also found that 85% of voters consider it important for the legislature to address lawsuit abuse to eliminate hidden taxes on consumers. Additionally, 82% of individuals who have used personal injury lawyers support reforms to the current system.
A study released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform on January 24 found that rising tort costs in Georgia are placing a growing financial burden on households. These costs drive up insurance premiums and the overall cost of living. In 2022, the state’s tort costs reached nearly $20 billion, averaging over $2,000 per household. These expenses stem from civil litigation, claim compensation, and administrative costs affecting both businesses and consumers.
According to a February 18 post on InsuranceRateReporter.com, a survey by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) and Munich Re US found that plaintiff lawyer tactics such as third-party litigation funding (TPLF) and jury anchoring contribute significantly to rising insurance costs. This has an estimated $529 billion impact on the U.S. economy. The survey shows that 69% of Americans believe these practices increase insurance premiums while 86% support legal reforms to address them. However, a significant portion of respondents remain unaware of these tactics; with 75% unfamiliar with jury anchoring and 70% not recognizing TPLF.
Mahsa Poorak is also noted as the chief operating officer and owner of Southern Electric Company, LLC after taking over full-time following her father Jay Poorak's passing. Under her leadership, the company’s gross revenues have doubled. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC).