Here's a political riddle: What does Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina have in common with Democratic-leaning plaintiff lawyers, including Lisa Blue, Mikal Watts, Bob Hilliard and Wayne Fisher?

The answer: They'll all be in Houston on April 20 for a fundraiser for Graham, hosted by superstar plaintiffs lawyer Mark Lanier.

Lanier, who has amassed a pile of multi­million-dollar judgments over the years, has long stood out from most of his brethren by financially backing Republicans and rarely donating to Democrats. But that doesn't mean his interests don't align with those of other plaintiffs lawyers, especially when it comes to the threat of tort reform.