Biography

Nicholas M. Pace, a long-time RAND Institute for Civil Justice staff member, has contributed his expertise in civil justice-related research methodology to many ICJ projects, most recently leading a study that explored issues associated with class actions against insurers. Other recent work included examining the impact of statutory reforms on costs and outcomes in medical malpractice cases as well as leading a comprehensive study of the workers' compensation courts in California. He has also been involved in studying the dynamics of class action litigation generally and recommending new managerial approaches for judges in such cases; helping to accomplish an in-depth evaluation of the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 and its effects on judicial case management, cost, and delay in Federal district courts; analyzing jury verdict outcomes with a special focus on punitive damage awards; and developing national standards related to the electronic filing of pleadings and other legal documents in civil courts. Currently he is leading the ICJ's research agenda into civil jury verdicts, conducting a study of post-trial adjustments to jury awards, looking at the impact of the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005, and investigating how state court judges handle scientific and other complex evidence issues.