A new group fighting back against what it calls “lawsuit abuse” in Alabama is starting to flex its political muscle heading into 2026.

On Wednesday, Alabamians for Legal Reform, “a professional advocacy organization focused on promoting fairness and balance within Alabama’s civil justice system,” announced that governmental affairs veteran Harrison Proctor, previously a lawyer-lobbyist for Protective Life Corporation, has stepped up to serve as the group’s full-time executive director.

“An unpredictable civil justice system can have a negative impact on communities and adversely affect local jobs, economic growth and other quality of life issues,” Proctor said in a news release issued today.

“A fair and consistent civil justice system strengthens local economies, protects hardworking Alabamians, and provides the stability local businesses need to invest in their communities. I am honored to lead ALR and look forward to working with leaders across Alabama to ensure our civil justice system promotes fairness and balance for everyone.”

ALR was created as a 501(c)(4) group by small businesses, trade associations, grassroots organizations, and other stakeholders concerned about “the economic challenge posed by lawsuit abuse in Alabama.”

On its website, the group points to several key policy areas where it says “legal reform has major impacts” — including economic development, small business costs, healthcare malpractice premiums, especially in rural Alabama, and insurance costs.

ALR also argues a hallmark of tort reform: that “nuclear verdicts” drive settlements that are ultimately passed along to consumers.

In 2023, the Alabama Supreme Court issued the most expensive punitive damages award in state history to the tune of $10 million in Springhill vs. West.

The group’s launch comes as tort reform remains an unresolved, and often high-dollar, policy tug-of-war in Montgomery.

A wide-ranging tort reform proposal filed in the 2024 session, SB293 by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), offers a snapshot of the reforms pro-business advocates have sought in the past.

Orr’s bill proposed regulating and requiring disclosure of litigation financing agreements, narrowing certain employer liability theories when vicarious liability is admitted, placing a monetary cap on non-economic damages in personal injury cases, and tightening rules for proving medical expense damages, among others.

While that measure did not even make it to a committee vote in 2024 — Alabamians for Legal Reform could give similar policies a full court press in 2026 and beyond.

Jeremy Walker, ALR Board Member and CEO of the Alabama Association of Realtors, said Proctor’s experience and temperament make him uniquely suited to lead the organization.

“Harrison brings a calm, measured approach and a passion for helping Alabama,” Walker said.

“His leadership will help ensure our state continues to foster an environment in which small businesses, local communities, and hard-working Alabamians can succeed.”

According to the group, Proctor, a University of Alabama School of Law and MBA graduate, will lead advocacy efforts beginning in the 2026 legislative session, now just weeks away.

“Lawsuit abuse creates real costs that ripple through Alabama’s economy,” D. Franklin III, a stakeholder of the group also said on Wednesday.

“Every dollar a small business must spend on avoidable legal fees or higher insurance premiums is a dollar that cannot be used in a local community to hire employees, improve benefits, expand operations, or support the local economy. Harrison understands these challenges and will be a strong advocate for a balanced system that treats everyone fairly.”