The Wisconsin Civil Justice Council (WCJC) at its annual luncheon honored Sen. Rich Zipperer (R-Pewaukee) and Rep. Jim Ott (R-Mequon) for their outstanding leadership in the area of civil justice reform.

“2011 has been a historic year for lawsuit reforms in Wisconsin, and Sen. Zipperer and Rep. Jim Ott have been instrumental in helping pass these important measures,” said Bill G. Smith, Wisconsin Director of the National Federation of Independent Business and President of WCJC.

Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Legislature passed into law 2011 Wisconsin Act 2, which contained some of the most comprehensive changes to Wisconsin’s civil justice system in years.

Sen. Zipperer and Rep. Jim Ott co-authored the legislation at the request of Gov. Scott Walker, and passed the omnibus bill through their respective committees. Sen. Zipperer and Rep. Jim Ott chair the Senate and Assembly Judiciary Committees.

In Gov. Walker’s recently concluded second special session, the Legislature passed three more lawsuit reform bills focusing on interest paid by defendants to plaintiffs (2011 Wisconsin Act 69), trespasser liability (2011 Wisconsin Act 93), and court-awarded attorney fees (2011 Wisconsin Act 92).

“Once again, Sen. Zipperer and Rep. Jim Ott played a key role in passing these lawsuit reforms,” said Jerry Deschane, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Builders Association and Secretary of WCJC.

“Due to the leadership shown by Sen. Zipperer and Rep. Jim Ott, Wisconsin has become known as a national leader in the area of lawsuit reform, which has enhanced the state’s business climate,” added Deschane.