Statement Re: Feb. 24 remarks by Maurice Greenberg, President, American International Group, Inc.

February 25, 2003 – Suggesting any similarity between lawyers—any lawyers—and terrorists demonstrates an appalling lack of appreciation for the role of law and lawyers in our society. In making that comparison, Maurice Greenberg’s statements show a shameful disregard for the harm suffered by victims of genuine terrorism. They also demonstrate the disregard and denial of responsibility that is sometimes apparent in defendants of class action litigation, and that forces the victims of negligence or other kinds of wrongdoing to resort to the courts. To deny the legitimacy of millions of people who rely on the courts for compensation for real injuries, and to label their advocates as akin to terrorists, is irresponsible in the extreme