Featured Work
Game of Courts: How the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Shops for Friendly Judges in the Fifth Circuit
In recent years, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has strategically filed a significant majority of its lawsuits against federal regulations in district courts within the Fifth Circuit’s jurisdiction, showcasing a pronounced case of “judge shopping.” This practice, where litigants seek out courts thought to have judges sympathetic to their cause, is designed to secure favorable rulings. The issue has garnered attention, especially after Judges James Ho and Edith Jones of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently criticized a proposed rule intended to curtail such strategic filings. Amidst this backdrop, political figures have drawn battle lines, with Progressives pushing for regulatory reforms and Conservatives defending the strategic court selections.
This ongoing saga of legal maneuvering highlights how influential organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce leverage judicial systems to shape regulatory outcomes, impacting a wide array of issues from credit card fees to labor laws and environmental regulations.
For more detailed information on the U.S. Chamber’s tactics and the broader implications of its legal challenges, read our report.
The U.S. Chamber and the Big Banks they represent have corrupted our judicial system by cherry-picking venues to avoid having their lawsuits heard by a fair and neutral federal judge. It's time the U.S. Chamber stops clogging the Courts with baseless lawsuits designed to enrich corporate CEOs at the expense of everyday American families."
Tony Carrk, Accountable.US Executive Director
In the News: Judge Shopping in Texas
Dive into stories from around the media landscape that spotlight right-wing judge shopping in Texas. Get the latest insights and understand the impact on our communities.
- REUTERS: Judge recuses from CFPB credit card fee rule case
- POLITICO: Wall Street’s favorite court in the crosshairs
- THE AMERICAN PROSPECT: Chamber Takes an L on Egregious Judge Shopping
- THE AMERICAN PROSPECT: America’s Fifth Circuit Problem
Press Releases
Stay informed with updates from Accountable.US as we uncover and highlight ongoing efforts of right-wing judge shopping in Texas. Our press releases provide detailed insights and analysis into how these practices are influencing the judicial landscape, aiming to sway decisions in favor of specific conservative political agendas.
Get the Facts.
Press Releases
5th Circuit Judge Willett Poised to Decide His Own Financial Conflicts Are Fine in U.S. Chamber Lawsuit Against CFPB Credit Card Rule
Trump-appointed 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Don Willett is poised to not recuse himself in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s lawsuit against the CFPB’s credit card late fee rule even though Willett’s most recent financial disclosure report lists up to tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of shares in Citigroup – a bank greatly impacted by the CF
Press Releases
Analysis: U.S. Chamber Sued Federal Government in Conservative 5th Circuit Territory 63% of Time Since 2017
A new analysis from government watchdog Accountable.US found that since January 2017, 63 percent of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s lawsuits challenging federal regulations were filed within district courts under the jurisdiction of the conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The report comes as the U.S. Chamber has faced increased
Press Releases
Watchdog: Conservative 5th Circuit Forcing U.S. Chamber’s Anti-CFPB Lawsuit Back to Texas is Blatant Judicial Overreach
In a bizarre decision, tonight the conservative-leaning U.S. Fifth Circuit Court ordered the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s lawsuit against the CFPB’s credit card late fee rule back to a Texas federal court -- reversing a decision by Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to transfer their lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the District o
