Are Trial Lawyers Killing Innovation? with Ted Frank

Are Trial Lawyers Killing Innovation? with Ted Frank

Author: The Atlas Society April 16, 2026 Duration: 53:55
Join Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman for the 298th episode of Objectively Speaking, where she is joined by Ted Frank to discuss how an unchecked plaintiffs' bar uses litigation as a weapon—driving up costs, chilling research and development, and punishing the risk-taking that fuels progress in medicine, technology, and beyond. This episode is part of our mini-series on tort reform to discuss why a combination of historical accident, decisions by judges and law professors, and self-interested advocacy by litigators has built an onerous and expensive legal regime. Ted Frank is the Director of Litigation and Senior Attorney at the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, where he has spearheaded landmark legal challenges to abusive class action settlements and championed reform in the name of individual rights and rational jurisprudence. He has won several landmark appeals and tens of millions of dollars for consumers and other plaintiffs through his class action work. Adam Liptak of The New York Times calls Frank “the leading critic of abusive class action settlements,” and the American Lawyer Litigation Daily referred to him as “the indefatigable scourge of underwhelming class action settlements.” 

Tune in to The Atlas Society Presents-Objectively Speaking for a series of thoughtful conversations that explore the practical application of Ayn Rand's philosophy. This podcast, brought to you by The Atlas Society, moves beyond abstract theory to examine how the principles of reason, individualism, and achievement manifest in our daily lives, careers, and culture. Each episode features discussions that connect Objectivist ideas to contemporary issues in business, creative pursuits, and societal trends, offering a framework for navigating a complex world. You'll hear analyses that celebrate human potential and the power of the individual while critically examining opposing doctrines. The dialogue is grounded in Rand's works, from the monumental *Atlas Shrugged* to her incisive essays, treating Objectivism as the vital, life-affirming guide it was designed to be. Whether you're well-versed in the philosophy or newly curious, this podcast provides a space for open, reasoned exploration. It’s an invitation to consider how a commitment to rational self-interest and freedom can shape a flourishing life and a better society. Join the conversation to hear these ideas unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Atlas Society Presents - Objectively Speaking
Podcast Episodes
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