Most of us grew up reciting those words daily as the last phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance. So I can’t say that my professional organization, the American Association for Justice (www.justice.org) , has any corner on the market for the word “justice.”

But there is a new group that is trying to mimic our name hoping that you (and the press) will listen to their misinformation. The “American Justice Partnership” has published a “report” – or more accurately a restatement of previously discredited data – that is attacking the legal climate of states like Pennsylvania. This article quoted Home Depot’s co-founder as saying that Big Business’ biggest competitor for capital is “plaintiff trial lawyers.” This report is clear evidence of a concerted effort by big business to “fight back…and reverse America’s lawsuit-happy culture.”

Are you “lawsuit-happy?” I’m not. My clients aren’t. If only you could be a fly on the wall when client after client tells me “I’m not the suing type.” So why are they talking to an attorney? Because our courts are, and always have been, the one place we can go to right a wrong. It’s where we know we can go for justice for all.

Let’s take a quick look at where this “report” was published, who wrote the article, and who is the American Justice Partnership (”AJP”). It was published in Directorship magazine. Not a subscriber? Me neither. Don’t look for this one down at the barber shop or beauty salon. That’s because they publish the magazine for directors of corporations. That would be the “Board” of Directors. You know, the people who meet in dark, wood paneled “Board” rooms and decide which jobs to cut and which plants to close to drive the stock prices up. As I go through this, keep an eye on who’s looking out for Joe Citizen here.

The article was actually written by Steven B. Hantler. He’s the Assistant General Counsel of Daimler (as in Mercedes) Chrysler and Chairman of the AJP. Big surprise here – corporate bigwigs and AJP are one and the same. Still keeping an eye on who’s watching out for Joe Citizen?

What about the AJP? The partnership includes the National Association of Manufacturers, Council of State Chambers (of Commerce), Council of State Manufacturing Organizatons, and American Tort Reform Association (readers of this blog know I’ve visited that group before: ATRA letter to the Harrisburg Patriot-News is off the mark; Don’t Believe It Just Because It’s On AOL) .

This name similarity tactic is something that we’ve seen before when the other side wants to confuse you. Consider:

• American Association for Justice (attorneys fighting for justice for our clients) vs. American Justice Partnership (big business)

• Common Good vs. Common Cause – I explained this distinction last November (Tort “Reform” – limiting your constitutional rights; the saga continues)

So if justice is for all, why is big business engaged in a concerted effort to fight your ability to seek justice when you need to?