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The CALA Watchdog
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For Immediate Release June 7, 2002 Contact: Adrienne ("Andy") Kotner CALA Names Four High School Students Winnersin Lawsuit Abuse Essay/Scholarship Contest SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) today announced the winners of the group’s third annual Essay/Scholarship Contest, which asked high school students to address the topic: "Does lawsuit abuse undermine principles of individual responsibility?" First place went to Robin Patch, of Point Loma High School. She received a $1,000 CALA scholarship for her essay, which stated, "Frivolous lawsuits greatly affect the economy in a negative way, starting with the consumer. The constant threat of frivolous lawsuits inflicts a high level of fear upon almost all working Americans." Second place was won by Karanne Tucker, of Carlsbad High School. She received a $500 scholarship. Fatima Rahman of Rancho Bernardo High School and Brittany Zemlick of Grossmont High School, won third place scholarships in the amount of $250. "We were ecstatic about the number of entries we received, and how well thought out the essays were," said Andy Kotner, President, of CALA. "We hope that by participating in this essay contest, students are now more aware of the importance of individual responsibility and the fact that discouraging this principle encourages lawsuit abuse," Kotner continued. CALA hosted a special luncheon on June 7th at the Mission Valley Hilton Hotel to honor the winners and present the scholarships at. The keynote speakers at the event were Assemblyman Mark Wyland; Joseph Perkins, Columnist, San Diego Union Tribune; and Attila and Laura Benko, co-authors of Buy This Book . . . Or, We’ll Sue You! Attila Benko is a fraud investigator for a national insurance company, and his sister, Laura, is a reporter for Modern Healthcare magazine. The luncheon ended with a hilarious cartoon slide show presentation by the Benko’s which called attention to the absurdity of actual lawsuit abuse cases filed throughout the United States. More than 300 guests including local, regional, state, and federal elected officials (or their representatives), and other community leaders witnessed the students receiving their honors, as well as, special certificates of recognition from Congressman Darrell Issa, State Senator Bill Morrow, State Senator Jim Battin and Assemblyman Mark Wyland. All entries were judged on the following criteria: 1) The definition of lawsuit abuse. 2) The relationship between frivolous lawsuits and personal responsibility, and 3) The effect lawsuits have on our economy. Judges for the contest included: This page was last updated on 04/19/05 © 2000 San Diego County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse |
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