Corporate Lawyer B.S. & "Too Much Law."

Today, a big-time corporate lawyer with a really fancy resumè by the name of Philip K. Howard offered some ideas on how to improve America.  And someone actually wanted to publish what he had to say. 

Interesting.

On CNN’s website, his piece featured the headline: “Too Much Law Suffocating America.” I started wondering, how did this particular attorney get the incredible opportunity to put his thoughts in writing on the pages of CNN? How did he come to the exciting conclusion that we need less law? He must be one heck of a lawyer!

He sure is.

He’s a partner in a big corporate firm, Covington & Burlington. He gets paid the big bucks to represent people like, ex-Salomon CEO John Gutfreund, a.k.a., 'The King of Wall Street,' when they get investigated by the likes of the SEC.  And in addition to representing kings of big business, his firm has offices in different regions around the world too.  Isn’t that impressive? Oh, and I bet you didn't know what big industry this big law firm and big lawyer serves?

The broadcast industry.

According to C&B’s website, C&B has represented “the broadcast industry in all aspects of the digital transition -- legislation, litigation, rulemakings for the Association of Maximum Service Television (450 television stations), the CBS and NBC Affiliates and major station groups.”  So when the government tries to pass laws that mess with C&B’s client’s – which is apparently everyone one T.V. -- Mr. Howard and his firm are there to ensure that those laws are dealt with.

Just imagine the freedom that the broadcast industry would have if there were less laws to break?  Imagine if the courts were just quiet.  Goodness knows, big businesses like the broadcast industry don’t need the hassles of dealing with how to read and follow all of those complex “laws.” Plus, empty courts would mean less traffic in the morning.

But, not wanting to flaunt Mr. Howard’s defense of their industry or his brilliant ideas about how to free up their morning commute, CNN does the right thing and advertises him as a founder of a group that really sounds incredible and wonderful. They’re called, Common Good.

And they really are uncommonly good. 

Common Good has been one of the leading voices in tort reform, a movement dedicated to limiting the amount of money injured people can win from their employers in court.  CG has been opposed to trial lawyers (like me) who are hired by the common man when he gets hurt by his employer.  And they have been a voice that constantly scares the wits out of the common man with their claim that frivolous lawsuits are ruining America.

Face it. Common Good is right.  With all the time and money they spend denying they break these wordy, time-consuming rules, big time companies and big time executives need a break.  Let’s join in the vision of Mr. Howard.  It’s not time to blame big business for breaking the law. It’s time to blame the law.  There’s just too much.  

Besides, the big broadcast industry has big T.V. shows to run and big lawyers to feature on their big websites.