Vince Fong, U.S. Representative for California's 20th Congressional District, has raised concerns about the high rate of frivolous lawsuit abuse in California. He claims that plaintiff attorneys exploit state and federal laws to target small businesses for profit. This statement was made in a public newsletter.
"For far too long, California has been ground zero for frivolous lawsuit abuse by plaintiff attorneys," said Fong, U.S. Representative of California's 20th Congressional District (D). "These are attorneys that use broken state and federal laws to force litigation targeting small businesses to turn a profit."
Legal experts have noted that California’s unique laws, such as the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), have contributed to a surge in lawsuits filed by plaintiff attorneys. These laws are often cited as creating an environment especially susceptible to legal abuse. According to the San Joaquin Valley Sun, this climate has made California a national focus for litigation concerns.
A statewide coalition, Californians Against Predatory Lawsuits, reports that California sees thousands of lawsuits annually that critics describe as abusive or frivolous. The organization says these lawsuits are disproportionately filed against small and mid-sized businesses. Data show this legal trend has had a measurable impact on business costs in the state.
According to Yahoo News, California courts process civil litigation cases more quickly than most other states, contributing to the frequency of lawsuits filed. This fast-track system can make it difficult for businesses to fully defend themselves. The report notes that the rapid pace encourages plaintiff attorneys to pursue high volumes of litigation.
Fong began serving as the U.S. Representative for California’s 20th Congressional District in 2024. Before joining Congress, he served in the California State Assembly representing the 34th district and worked as a policy advisor for Congressman Kevin McCarthy. Fong is known for his focus on government reform and economic development.