Missouri climbs legal-climate list

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform announced Monday that Missouri had dropped off the 10 Worst States List, showing marked progress over last year.

Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Chamber called the ranking a result of comprehensive litigation reform, which included new limits on joint and several liability, restrictions on venue shopping and new limits on punitive and noneconomic damages.

“In the last year, Missouri has passed one of the most comprehensive legal reform packages in the country, including legislation that keeps people from shopping around the state for the friendliest courts in which to sue,” said U.S. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue in a news release. “The best thing a state can do to attract business is to have a fair legal system.”

Since the legislation was enacted, reforms have been cited by companies that recently have chosen to invest or reinvest in Missouri, including Chrysler, General Motors and Express Scripts, according to a news release from Blunt’s office.

The ranking study, now in its fifth year, surveyed more than 1,400 senior attorneys. West Virginia ranked last and, for the fifth year in a row, Delaware ranked first.