Big government lawsuits : are policy-driven lawsuits in the public interest : hearing before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, first session on examining the spate of certain government lawsuits filed against different industries, November 2, 1999.

Hearing to examine the spate of government lawsuits filed against different industries. The aim of these lawsuits is clearly to establish & enforce social policy preferences. Witnesses: Jonathan Turley, Shapiro Prof. of Public Law, George Washington Univ.; Don Ryan, exec. dir., Alliance To End Childhood Lead Poisoning; Matthew Myers, exec. v.p. & general counsel, Nat. Center for Tobacco-Free Kids; Victor Schwartz, Crowell & Moring LLP; William Keys, ceo, New Colt's Holding Co.; R. Bruce Josten, exec. v.p., U.S. Chamber of Commerce; & Senators Orrin Hatch, Edward Kennedy, Patrick Leahy, Charles Schumer, Mitch McConnell, Jack Reed, & Richard Durbin.

Bogus (Roger Williams School of Law) defends the lawsuit and the common law generally from conventional assumptions as to their silliness, irrationality, and unfairness. Drawing from historical research, theory, empirical data, and case studies, he argues that the lawsuit fills a crucial role and that the court system functions rationally overall. He advocates for the use of lawsuits as an important partner to government regulation. c. Book News Inc.