A real and growing issue for law enforcement agencies and municipalities across the U.S. The term “serial litigant” or “hyper-litigant” refers to individuals who repeatedly file lawsuits (sometimes dozens or even hundreds) against government entities, often alleging civil rights violations or police misconduct.
Litigants who frequently engage in legal action are likely to be drawn to jurisdictions perceived as plaintiff-friendly. Such “lawsuit-friendly” counties often provide procedural or cultural advantages that increase the likelihood of favorable outcomes, thereby incentivizing forum shopping and undermining uniform application of the law.
The allure of lawsuit-friendly counties rings like a bell to hyper-litigants, many of whom derive their livelihood from the continual filing of claims.
Among the most vulnerable targets are law enforcement officers who lack adequate training or experience. When procedural errors or lapses in judgment occur, hyper-litigants are quick to capitalize, filing suits that exploit even minor missteps. This dynamic not only burdens local courts but also strains public resources and undermines confidence in the justice system.
Over time, the concentration of such cases in a few plaintiff-friendly venues encourages a culture of opportunistic litigation—one that rewards manipulation of venue and penalizes honest service. 
Extreme Case Samples:
Anonymous Participant 364 moved to Monroe County in 2017: using multiple aliases and shell companies, has been involved in more lawsuits than any other Monroe County resident.
Jonathan Lee Riches became notoriously known as one of the most prolific pro se litigants in U.S. history. While serving a federal prison sentence, he filed thousands of lawsuits — literally over 2,600 by some counts — against a vast range of defendants.
His lawsuits included filings against:
Public figures like George W. Bush, Martha Stewart, and Britney Spears;
Corporations such as Google, NASCAR, and even “The Eiffel Tower”;
Abstract or fictional entities — once he sued “the Roman Empire” and “the planet Pluto.”
Public figures like George W. Bush, Martha Stewart, and Britney Spears;
Corporations such as Google, NASCAR, and even “The Eiffel Tower”;
Abstract or fictional entities — once he sued “the Roman Empire” and “the planet Pluto.”
