Lee Parsley named president of Texas Civil Justice League

AUSTIN - The Texas Civil Justice League has named Lee Parsley president and general counsel effective June 1.

Parsley succeeds George S. Christian, who has led the statewide business liability and legal reform coalition since March 2007 and will continue to advise the group.

"I am honored to lead the Texas Civil Justice League," Parsley said. "Legal reform has been a cornerstone of the state's robust business climate, which has withstood the worst of the global economic crisis. As the state's first business liability and legal reform coalition, the League has done much to contribute to that vitality.

"The Texas Civil Justice League is a public policy leader in business and economic issues," Parsley added. "I look forward to building on that tradition as we get ready for next year's legislative session. State lawmakers will face a fragile economic recovery, and we must not abandon the legal, regulatory, and tax policies that have encouraged business expansion and investment. Texas needs more jobs, not lawsuits."

Parsley is a board-certified civil appellate lawyer and a graduate of Texas Tech University and its School of Law. A leading legal reform advocate, he has been the counsel for Texans for Lawsuit Reform and is widely published on civil justice public policy and trial court procedures.

The Texas Supreme Court appointed Parsley to a six-year term on the Texas Board of Law Examiners in September 2007. He is a fellow of
the Texas Bar Foundation, a member of the State Bar of Texas litigation and appellate sections and serves on the Texas Tech University School of Law Foundation board of directors.

"Lee Parsley is a legal scholar who has distinguished himself as an advocate for Texas business," said Robert L. Looney, chairman of the Texas Civil Justice League executive committee and president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. "Under his direction, the
Texas Civil Justice League will continue to the be a national leader in legal reform."

Looney thanked Christian for his dedicated service to the Texas Civil Justice League since its founding two and a half decades ago. "George S. Christian and his father, the late George E. Christian, helped build the Texas Civil Justice League into the prominent public policy organization it is today. Our gratitude for their leadership and wise counsel is immeasurable."

"There is no one better to lead the Texas Civil Justice League as its silver anniversary approaches," said George S. Christian, outgoing president and general counsel. "Lee Parsley has the integrity, intellect, and respect to champion sound civil justice policy at the State Capitol."

"Lee Parsley has a solid reputation as a hardworking and insightful lawyer," said Ralph Wayne, former president of the Texas Civil Justice League and chairman emeritus of the American Tort Reform Association. "He will be an valuable voice for legal reform in
Texas and a great partner with his colleagues throughout the United States."

Parsley's appointment was also greeted with support from longtime Texas Civil Justice League executive staff including Carol Sims, vice president and political action committee director, and Cary Roberts, vice president for communication and policy.

"I have watched Lee Parsley at work for many years, and have always been impressed with his thorough and thoughtful approach to complicated legislative issues," Sims said. "It will
be a pleasure to work with him and continue the Texas Civil Justice League's tradition of legal reform leadership."

Established in 1986, the Texas Civil Justice League is a non-partisan, statewide business liability and legal reform coalition. Business leaders and former legislators founded the group to enact recommendations by the 1987 House/Senate Joint Committee on Liability Insurance and Tort Law Procedure.

The Texas Civil Justice League is a charter member of the American Tort Reform Association and is a state partner with the American Legislative Exchange Council, American Justice Partnership,
American Tort Reform Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, which owns the Southeast Texas Record.