Changing the course of Texas is often tough and frightening. After years of attempting major tort reform legislation, Texans found a champion who stood tall and brave against the brutal onslaught of personal injury trial lawyers and their multi-million dollar lobby. A quiet, studious attorney, Joe Nixon is a State Representative serving House District 133 in Houston . He is currently Chairman of the Civil Practices Committee and a member of the Higher Education committee. He was first elected in 1994.

House Bill 4 of the regular 78th Legislative Session was an omnibus wish list for every Texan affected by predatory litigation. Well, that is EVERY Texan because we all pay higher prices, have fewer choices and freedoms to avoid any chance of a lawsuit. Nationally, Texas is recognized as a litigation lottery state. The American Tort Reform Association listed 4 out of the top 11 “judicial hell-holes” are in Texas.

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Nixon found himself a target of the controversy, yet stood tall for the onslaught. Debating HB 4 for weeks on the House floor, Nixon shot down hundreds of amendments that would have killed the bill and others that were simply delaying tactics.  Some of the debate attacks from elected trial attorneys were personal and vile in nature. The opposition knew they did not have the votes, so harassment was the game plan.

With the demeanor of a stately gentleman, Nixon kept his cool, conferred with his team and stayed focused on the victory.

And what a victory. The Wall Street Journal called the legislation “Ten-Gallon Tort Reform” (WSJ Editorial, 6/7/03 ) “One of America 's lawsuit meccas does a turnabout”.

Every citizen, physician, teacher, neighbor, employer and consumer in Texas thanks you, Joe!

For further insight, Rep. Nixon wrote this account: 
Texas Tort Reform Fair and Balanced

Tort Reform Legislation Highlights:
Restoring Respect for the Law
by Guest Contributor Tammi L. Kannar

If we desire respect for the law, we must first make the law respectable. --Louis D. Brandeis

Most of us have lost respect for the law as we stare in disbelief at the ever-more-common news story about the latest ridiculous lawsuit. Yet, on the other end of the spectrum when legislators seek to fix such abuses, most are equally bewildered at the legal mumbo-jumbo at issue.

While lawyers debate the merits of the recent state tort reform efforts, many Texans might still be wondering: “ What did they actually do and how does this really affect me ?”

Fundamentally, the recent reforms should restore most Texans' respect for the law by enacting some very common sense changes. While many of the changes affect seemingly mundane, technical aspects of the law, they will have far reaching consequences for all Texans including lower prices for various products and services, more jobs in Texas , and preserving access to healthcare. Many of those who worked so hard on this issue were driven above all by a sense of basic fairness and what is right. Above all others, this includes Joe Nixon, who sacrificed much personally and professionally. All Texans owe Joe a debt of gratitude beyond measure. As a lawyer himself, he had to pick a fight with many in his own profession, which many are realizing is a profession that has become too large a segment of our society. Joe was steadfast in the reforms he felt were fair and was equally as steadfast against those he felt were not. The result is a reformed system of justice that all Texans can respect.

For those still wondering what was in this “tort reform” legislation, here are a few highlights and examples of the prior unfairness in the legal system: continued