NY Trial Lawyers Clash with Hochul Over Car Insurance Reforms

Powerful trial lawyer lobby fights governor's plan to rein in runaway litigation and lower insurance costs

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:03pm

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul is facing pushback from the state's influential trial lawyer lobby over her proposed car insurance reforms. The trial lawyers, who spent over $2.5 million on political contributions and lobbying last year, are fighting Hochul's plan to cap damages for pain and suffering claims and target fraud. Hochul says her reforms could slash insurance premiums by 15-20%, but the trial lawyers claim the plan limits injured residents' rights to sue.

Why it matters

This battle highlights the outsized influence of the trial lawyer lobby in Albany and their ability to oppose reforms that could make car insurance more affordable for New Yorkers. Hochul's plan aims to address the state's high insurance costs, which average $1,500 above the national average, but faces stiff opposition from a powerful special interest group.

The details

Hochul's car insurance reform plan includes caps on damages for pain and suffering claims involving drivers at fault or engaged in criminal behavior, as well as targeting uninsured motorists and staged accidents. However, the trial lawyers claim this limits the rights of injured residents to sue and lets insurance companies off the hook. The trial lawyers' lobby includes well-connected figures like a former college roommate of the state Assembly Speaker and the son of a state senator. They spent over $1 million on political contributions and $1.5 million on lobbying last year.

  • In 2022, trial lawyers contributed heavily to Governor Kathy Hochul's election campaign.
  • Hochul included her car insurance savings plan in her 2023 executive budget.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who is pushing for car insurance reforms to lower costs for drivers.

New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA)

A powerful lobby group representing trial lawyers that is fighting Hochul's proposed reforms.

Patrick Jenkins

A lawyer and longtime associate of state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, whose firm received $528,000 from NYSTLA last year.

Evan Stavisky

A lobbyist with Parkside Group and the son of Queens Democratic state Senator Toby Stavisky, who was paid $139,500 by the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers last year.

Andrew Finkelstein

President of the New York Trial Lawyers Association, who disputed Hochul's claim that her reforms would lower insurance premiums.

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What they’re saying

“Gov. Kathy Hochul is fighting fraud and excessive lawsuits to make auto insurance more affordable for New York drivers — and this report offers a peek behind the curtain at the pro-litigation influence machine working to maintain the high-cost status quo.”

— Tom Stebbins, Executive Director, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York

“Nothing more than a Victim Tax.”

— Andrew Finkelstein, President, New York Trial Lawyers Association

“History shows the opposite. Insurers cut costs, pocket the savings, and premiums never go down.”

— Andrew Finkelstein, President, New York Trial Lawyers Association

What’s next

The Democratic-led state legislature did not include Hochul's car insurance reform plan in their recently released fiscal budget. The battle between Hochul and the trial lawyer lobby is expected to continue as the governor pushes for her proposals to be adopted.

The takeaway

This clash highlights the outsized influence of the trial lawyer lobby in New York politics and their ability to oppose reforms that could make car insurance more affordable for drivers. Hochul's plan faces an uphill battle against this powerful special interest group, underscoring the challenges of enacting meaningful insurance cost-saving measures in the state.