Frivolous Lawsuits. Attorneys\u27 Contingent Fees. Limits.

FRIVOLOUS LAWSUITS. ATTORNEYS\u27 CONTINGENT FEES. LIMITS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Limits fees which plaintiffs\u27 attorneys may collect in tort actions, shareholder derivative actions, and securities law class actions. Allows lawsuit against attorney for excessive fee. Authorizes court to impose sanctions upon attorney who files a pleading or paper in a lawsuit which is completely without merit or filed solely to harass opposing party. Prohibits sanctioned attorney from collecting fees for case. Requires State Bar to recommend appropriate discipline for attorneys who have repeated sanctions. Declares this measure to be in conflict with the Frivolous Lawsuit Limitation Act, and other fee limitation measures. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The fiscal impact of this measure on state and local governments is unknown. It could result in either net savings or costs, depending largely on how attorneys and their clients respond to contingency limits