Richard J. Trabulsi, Jr.

This site describes the efforts of citizens of Texas to restore balance and fairness to the Texas civil justice system. Leo E. Linbeck, Jr., Dick Weekley, Richard J. Trabulsi, Jr., Allan Shivers, Jr., Hugh Rice Kelly and Michael S. Stevens lead this organization. Founded on principles of solid research, grassroots advocacy and bi-partisan cooperation, more than a dozen tort reform measures have been enacted since 1995. These measures and the ongoing effort of Texans for Lawsuit Reform are defined on this site. TLR has also helped scrutinize the legal fees associated with the Texas tobacco settlement.

Recent News

A Texas Turnaround: Tort reform has brought substantial benefits

Midland Reporter-Telegram, May 10, 2008

Lawsuit reform has dramatically improved the fairness and efficiency of Texas' civil justice system. Just a few years ago, the Lone Star State held a position near the bottom of state rankings and was frequently a source of derision in the national media. Objective studies now place the state's civil justice system in the upper tier relative to many measures (though some challenges remain). This notable turnaround, from a legal system that was poorly regarded in several areas to one that is widely recognized as an effective model worthy of emulation, has brought substantial benefits.

Congress overlooks plaintiff-lawyer abuses

The Hill Newspaper, April 22, 2008

In the wake of credit crises in both the mortgage and broader financial markets, Congress is busy conducting hearings and negotiating various proposals for regulatory reform with the executive branch. Following corporate accounting scandals at Enron, WorldCom and elsewhere several years ago, Congress quickly went to work tightening the regulation of corporate governance. So why has Congress yet to acknowledge, much less schedule a hearing, now that, within the past several months, three of the nation’s most powerful, widely known plaintiffs’ lawyers have all pled guilty to federal felonies in connection with their corruption of our civil justice system?

Lawsuit Reform Huge Boost to Texas Economy

TLR Press Release, April 28, 2008

(AUSTIN, TX) April 28, 2008 – A new report by nationally recognized economist Ray Perryman shows lawsuit reforms enacted in Texas beginning in 1995 have boosted the state’s economy, created hundreds of thousands of jobs and given Texas a resounding competitive advantage in these challenging economic times.

The TLR Story

"The TLR Story," is a short DVD that recounts of history of lawsuit reform in Texas and the lawsuit abuse challenges we continue to face in our state.

Click here to view the video

E-mail this page | Printer-friendly version

Mr. Trabulsi has been an active volunteer in Texans For Lawsuit Reform since its inception, currently serving as president of the organization and chairman of its political action committee. Mr. Trabulsi is a native of Houston, Texas. He is married, and has two adult children.

Mr. Trabulsi is a graduate of St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he was Student Body President in 1963. He attended The University of Texas at Austin in the pre-law program and received a J.D. from The University of Texas Law School in 1969, graduating with honors. Mr. Trabulsi was a Chancellor, Articles Editor of The Texas Law Review, and a member of The Order of the Coif and Phi Delta Phi. Mr. Trabulsi clerked for Judge Homer Thornberry of The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for one year following law school and was an Associate at Vinson & Elkins in Houston for a short period following his clerkship.

Since 1972, Mr. Trabulsi has been active in a variety of businesses, including retail, real estate, banking, ranching, and financial assets. He is currently president of Richard Trabulsi, Inc., a business started by his father in 1950, which has interests in ranching and specialty wine and spirits stores. Mr. Trabulsi has been an organizer and a member of the boards of banks, has developed and owned commercial retail shopping centers, has invested in a variety of real estate activities, and has managed financial assets for his family.

Mr. Trabulsi has been active in community affairs, having served at various times on the boards of The George Foundation, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The Covenant House, The Houston Committee on Foreign Relations, The Briargrove Elementary School PTO, The Briargrove Property Owners Association, The Lamar High School Business Magnet Program, and The Houston Society For The Performing Arts.