Former Senator John Edwards’ recent call for an end to frivolous lawsuits may have been taken with a grain of salt… or a loud guffaw… or a “what did I just hear or read?” reaction.

From AP story:

“Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, who made his fortune as a trial lawyer, says attorneys should have to show their medical malpractice cases have merit before filing them.

“He also said attorneys with a history of frivolous suits should be barred from filing new cases.”

While Edwards’ comments may have surprised some—in both parties—and raised eyebrows, they do provide a hint that civil justice reform could be one of the sleeper issues in the 2008 presidential race.

The growing call for civil justice reform throughout the United States seems to be catching the attention of former trial lawyer Edwards and several of this competitors.

We tried to do a quick—certainly not exhaustive—search of what the candidates in both parties have been saying or writing on civil justice reform issues during the current campaign, and perhaps in the past.

We’ll do a more comprehensive analysis closer to the Illinois primary on February 5.

Democrats:

John Edwards is a former trial lawyer and his comments latest comments provide no comfort that he has changed his philosophy. But he does understand he needs to change the perception of John Edwards, trial lawyer.