The Institute of Legal Reform and Harris Interactive conducted a recent survey on the legal climate of each state meant for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  The survey, named "Lawsuit Climate 2007: Ranking the States," proves what I always suspected.  It shows Delaware and West Virginia to be the states with the best and the worst legal climates respectively, while Los Angeles earned the national distinction of being the court with the worst legal climate.

In spite of considerable opposition, Delaware has managed to top the list for six years in a row, while for the second successive year, West Virginia refused to give up its claim for maintaining the worst legal climate in the nation.

In between the top and the bottom spots, a number of states have moved up and down since last year.  The survey rates each state’s legal climate against numerous parameters including judicial impartiality, fairness of the jury, treatment of class-action lawsuits, and awarding of damages.  The media, companies, and policymakers accept it as a reliable guide to the legal environment of a state.

California dropped one spot from the previous year’s 44th to this year’s 45th position, while Texas slipped down from 43rd to 44th.  Illinois, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and West Virginia followed in order to their proud placements at the bottom of the list.

Two states, which suffered the steepest fall, are Rhode Island, dropping from 26th to 35th, and Alaska falling from 36th to 43rd.

However, Florida managed to move up to the 36th position climbing six spots over the last two years.  But, the best upward mobility was shown by Minnesota that jumped from 14th to 2nd spot, Tennessee that went from 22nd to 7th spot, and Wisconsin, which jumped from 23rd to the 10th spot.

Talking about West Virginia, Tom Donohue, the president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber commented that West Virginia seems more interested in appeasing trial lawyers than in helping to create an employment and business-friendly environment.

It amazes me that some states such as Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin have used the survey to better the economies within their states yet others have failed to take any action and remain at the bottom of the list.  The Judge applauds those who have improved their legal systems!!