My father is an attorney in NJ, and told me growing up as the system was first implemented in the tri-state it was off the table once this started to happen, on

My father is an attorney in NJ, and told me growing up as the system was first implemented in the tri-state it was off the table once this started to happen, on a large group of lawyers were vocal about making it very painful for the NJ and tristate DOT groups once they went too far. I am not sure if I remembered this incorrectly but I am sure there were serious lawsuits in the tri-state, and lawyers were lining up to stick it to the states for it, but I could be wrong. Anyone find/know of data about this?