About CALA
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is a nonpartisan grassroots movement of concerned citizens and businesses who are fighting against lawsuit abuse in California. CALA serves as a watchdog to challenge the abuse of our civil justice system, and engages the public and the media to deliver the message that lawsuit abuse is alive and well in California — and that all Californians are paying the price.
What We Do
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is a nonpartisan grassroots movement of concerned citizens and businesses who are fighting against lawsuit abuse in California.
CALA serves as a watchdog to challenge the abuse of our civil justice system, and engages the public and the media to deliver the message that lawsuit abuse is alive and well in California — and that all Californians are paying the price.
We work together to call attention to the negative impact of lawsuit abuse and challenge those who profit from abusing our legal system. We want to see citizens like you take responsibility as a force for change and be watchdogs against lawsuit abuse. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
We encourage you to be empowered as legal consumers, act as watchdogs to call out abuse when you see it, engage as voters to urge your elected officials and candidates to support reform, and be active citizens in your community. Stopping lawsuit abuse starts with each of us doing our part to make sure the legal system is used for justice rather than greed.
Who We Are
Victor Gomez
Executive Director, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
Victor Gómez is a Northern California native with a wealth of experience in local, State & Federal politics both in the Monterey Bay Area and in the greater Silicon Valley/San Francisco Bay area. Born and raised in Hollister, CA. he is the former Mayor of his hometown and recently completed his second term as a City Councilmember.
As a son of a Mayor & Sheriff, Victor has always held a passion for politics, community and public service. After immigrating to Hollister from Guadalajára, Jalisco, México, his parents and older siblings lived in farmworker housing in San Benito County. After years of hard work, they were able to purchase a home in a low-income development in west Hollister where Victor was raised. He attended local elementary schools and San Benito High School.
After obtaining his degree in Aviation and becoming a private pilot, Victor and his wife purchased a franchise restaurant which they owned and operated for nearly ten years. In 2008, in the midst of running his business, Gómez ran for and won a seat on the Hollister City Council. At the age of 31, Gómez became one of the youngest Mayor's to serve the City of Hollister. Since then, he served eight years on the San Benito County Transportation Authority, Hollister Airport Land Use Commission, Gang Prevention Policy Board, Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Hollister Redevelopment Agency, and served as President of the League of California Cities Monterey Bay Chapter advocating for sound policies for municipal government at the state level. Victor also puts in many volunteer hours as he serves as a board member of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, Board member for Goodwill Silicon Valley and Board member for news outlet San Jose Spotlight.
Victor served as Deputy Chief of Staff for San José City Councilmember Johnny Khamis and Chief of Staff for San José Vice Mayor Magdalena Carrasco. He also served as Director of Public Policy for The Silicon Valley Organization (formerly the Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce).
During his free time, Victor enjoys flying and traveling with his family. He lives in Hollister with his wife, three daughters and two dogs, Jack and Gigi.
Maryann Marino
Southern California Regional Director, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
Maryann Marino is the Southern California Regional Director of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) where she uses her public affairs and media relations skills to keep CALA in the forefront advocating for tort reform and an end to frivolous lawsuits. Maryann is a frequent media spokeswoman for CALA. She has been heard on heard on KFI Radio, the Carl DeMaio Show and seen on KUSI-TV Good Morning San Diego.
Maryann has been recognized with awards on behalf of her work for CALA from organizations including the American Tort Reform Association for educating homeowners about ways to resolve construction defects. She was also presented with the Ruby Slipper Award on two different occasions.
She and CALA are also working hard to reform the abusive Private Attorney General Act, Proposition 65 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Maryann also served in the public affairs office of former California Governor Pete Wilson and the government relations office of St Francis Medical Center. Maryann holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the CORO public affairs program. She is married to Larry Marino, AM 870 news director.
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