As Congress Votes on the Class Action Fairness Act, the Businesses and Legal Community Awaits the Outcome of Proposed Legislation Intended to Curb Widespread Class Action Abuses.

Business Editors/Technology and Legal Reporters

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2003

How will this legislation impact defendants and plaintiffs and how

should companies approach class actions in the future?

SOURCE

John Beisner, head of the Class Action Practice Group at international law firm O'Melveny & Myers LLP, is available to discuss the ramifications of the Class Action Fairness Act. Mr. Beisner is a renowned expert in class action and mass tort reform and is the author of a highly-publicized study on class action "magnet" courts such as Madison County, IL. The study, sponsored by the Manhattan Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized early on the need for legislative reform that would require larger interstate class actions be heard in federal court.

Among the key issues Mr. Beisner can discuss:

-- The specific injustices the Class Action Fairness Act aims to

correct;

-- How plaintiffs' and defendants' legal strategies will be

affected should the legislation pass;

-- Which industries will be most affected should the legislation

pass;

-- The timeline and next steps now that the bill has been

formally reintroduced;

-- The effects this legislation will have on industries

constantly threatened by class action lawsuits; and

-- The key findings of his study on class action magnet courts

and what the findings reveal.

To arrange an interview with Mr. Beisner, please contact:

Peter Columbus
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
212-326-2180
[e-mail]

Jessica Schweitzer
Hill & Knowlton
212-885-0388
[e-mail]

Laura Gingiss
Hill & Knowlton
312-475-5914
[e-mail]