At the request of the Valley business community, in November, 1990, a new program was launched through the Valley Chamber. Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) was formed in an effort to bring the civil justice system back into balance. - The original slogan?: “Fairness Yes - Greed No!”

Escalating workers compensation insurance costs made it difficult for all and impossible for some to stay in business. Excessive jury awards, fraudulent and frivolous lawsuits were strangling present businesses and discouraging new ones from coming to the Valley and to the State of Texas. The movement quickly spread, with a statewide program - Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse - in Austin, and chapters in Houston, San Antonio, and other areas of Texas. In fact, this program with its roots in the Valley,(at the Valley Partnership Building) has now spread into over fifteen States across the Country.

CALA now operates under its own charter as a separate organization, with oversight and administration by the Partnership staff. It has been credited with bringing better balance to jury awards and decreasing frivolous lawsuits.

Its educational program continues with messages to encourage fairness for all parties, discourage barratry, encourage responsibleness in serving on a jury and to seek an improved civil justice system in general.