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H.R. 5463 110th Congress House

Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act

Official title: To protect investors by fostering transparency and accountability of attorneys in private securities litigation.

Introduced: February 14, 2008 See on congress.gov
Finance and Financial Sector Campaign fundsCivil actions and liabilityClass actions (Civil procedure)Commerce
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Competitive biddingConflict of interestsCongressCongressional investigationsCongressional reporting requirementsEvidence (Law)Frivolous lawsuitsGovernment Operations and PoliticsLawLawyersLegal advertising and solicitingLegal ethicsLegal feesPolitical action committeesSecurities fraudSecurities industry
This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
Mar 17, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
Feb 14, 2008
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 14, 2008
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 25, 2008

Referred to the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 to state that, in any private action in which the court enters a final judgment against plaintiff on the basis of a motion to dismiss, motion for summary judgment, or a trial on the merits, the court shall, upon defendant's motion, determine whether: (1) the position of the plaintiff was not substantially justified; (2) imposition of fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney would be just; and (3) the cost of such fees and expenses to the defendant is substantially burdensome or unjust.

Requires the court to award the defendant reasonable fees and other expenses, and impose such fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney, if the court makes positive determinations in such a case.

Places the burden of persuasion upon the defendant as to whether or not the position of the plaintiff was substantially justified.

Requires plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney to provide sworn, signed certifications that identify any actual or promised payment by the attorney to the plaintiff, beyond the plaintiff's pro rata share of any recovery.

Requires similar plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney certifications regarding: (1) legal representations; (2) contributions; and (3) conflicts of interest.

Requires the court, in exercising discretion over the approval of lead counsel, to employ a competitive bidding process as one of the criteria (unless the court determines that such a process is not feasible).

Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on average hourly fees in securities class actions.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5463: Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5463/
MLA
"H.R. 5463: Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5463/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5463, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5463/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5463: Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5463/)
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