Paul Pinyan is the new chairman of the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee’s board of directors.
The organization pools the resources and influence of the business community to engage politically in judicial races. This year, ACJRC was instrumental in supporting Greg Cook in his primary win for Supreme Court.
Pinyan is executive director for Alabama Farmers Federation.
“When ACJRC was formed in 1985, employers avoided Alabama because of its reputation for exorbitant punitive damage verdicts,” Pinyan said in a written statement. “A coalition of small businesses, corporations and trade associations came together to pass reasonable tort reform measures and educate voters about the importance of a fair and balanced civil justice system.
“Today, Alabama is attractive to job creators and enjoys one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. The ACJRC has been instrumental in bringing about this change.”
The Cullman County native has a bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy science from Auburn University, a master’s degree in education from Alabama A&M University and a law degree from Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law.
Pinyan said the ACJRC mission is more important now than in recent decades.
“In 2024, 58% of Alabama appellate judicial seats will be up for election,” Pinyan said. “Anti-business political action committees are spending millions to influence these elections. Meanwhile, plaintiff attorneys are luring clients with promises of cash settlements. In one industry alone — commercial trucking — we saw the average national verdict size for lawsuits increase nearly 1,000% from 2010 to 2018.
“… I look forward to strengthening the ACJRC coalition as we work to educate Alabama voters and leaders about the pitfalls of jackpot justice and nuclear verdicts.”
Pinyan succeeds Tom Dart, who was elected ACJRC chair in 2004. Dart will continue to serve on the ACJRC executive committee.