DaimlerChrysler's Nationally Renowned Legal Reform Champion, Steven B. Hantler, Featured at Next Motor Press Guild Meeting

Hantler to Discuss Tort Reform, DaimlerChrysler's Campaign Against Frivolous Litigation

LOS ANGELES, April 27 -- At the May 2 Motor Press Guild (MPG) luncheon, nationally renowned tort reform expert Steven B. Hantler, associate general counsel for DaimlerChrysler, will discuss legal reform as it relates to the automotive realm, including DaimlerChrysler's unusual campaign to turn the tables on plaintiffs lawyers in the battle against frivolous litigation.

Automakers, in particular, are painfully aware of the lawsuit-happy mentality that translates to more consumer costs and less product innovation. Hantler recently grabbed headlines for helping to bring down three crooked San Antonio lawyers who filed a bogus $2 billion product-liability case against DaimlerChrysler based on false evidence. Hantler and DaimlerChrysler are firmly campaigning against trial lawyers bringing forth frivolous product-liability cases that prove to be costly to all.

"The unfair civil-justice system at the state level has made the legal system in the United States the world's most expensive and imposes huge costs on consumers and businesses alike," wrote Hantler in a recent column in The Wall Street Journal. "The 'cost' of a litigious society is borne by every resident in every state."

  At Tuesday's MPG meeting, Hantler will specifically address:
  *  The situation today -- is the legal crisis real?
  *  What are the specific implications for automakers and the media who
     cover them?
  *  Who are the players driving the issue ahead?
  *  How will achieving a fair and predictable civil justice system affect
     our industry and our lives?

Hantler is among the foremost leaders in the United States advocating legal reform and activating diverse coalitions of people to make legal reform a reality at the state level. Hantler is DaimlerChrysler Corporation's assistant general counsel, where, among other duties, he handles product liability and class action law suits. He also serves as Chairman of the American Justice Partnership, which champions legal reform in the states and is affiliated with the National Association of Manufacturers.

  MPG Meeting Details:

  What:      Motor Press Guild will feature Steven B. Hantler, assistant
             general counsel for DaimlerChrysler, to discuss tort reform as
             it relates to the automotive realm

  When:      Tuesday, May 2, 2006
             Social -- 11:30 a.m.
             Luncheon -- Noon

  Where:     The Proud Bird Restaurant
             11022 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
             Phone: 310-670-3093

  Price:     Members -- $20; Non-Members and Guests -- $25; (cash or check;
             open seating/no reservations)

  Contact:   MPG:  Joanna McNally, 949-268-3079, or
             press@motorpressguild.org
             DaimlerChrysler:  John Casey, 248-935-2911, or Mike Palese,
             248-512-2682

For more information about MPG news, upcoming events, and directions to the Proud Bird, please visit http://www.motorpressguild.org/news.

About Motor Press Guild

The Los Angeles-based Motor Press Guild (MPG) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to promoting education and information exchange within the motoring press. MPG has more than 750 global members, including staff and freelance journalists, photographers, broadcasters, public-relations representatives from vehicle manufacturers, industry suppliers, aftermarket companies, consumer groups, governmental bodies and other motoring-related firms and organizations.