Over two hundred years ago, on September 17, 1787, members of the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution. Each year on this day, we celebrate Constitution Day and the establishment of our government and the guarantee of our rights. The preamble to the Constitution begins with the important first words: “We the people of the United States, in order to
Continue Reading Constitution Day 2022: From Establishing Justice to Realizing it for All
The comment below was submitted by IAALS to the Colorado Supreme Court on September 14, 2021, in support of the Colorado Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals Program.On behalf of IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, we wish to commend the Colorado Supreme Court, the Advisory Committee on the Practice of Law, and the Providers of Alternative Legal
Continue Reading IAALS' Comment in Support of the Colorado Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals Program
The State Bar of California’s foray into legal regulatory innovation has a relatively long history.To start, the State Bar Task Force on Access Through Innovation of Legal Services (ATILS) worked for years to explore three focus areas:
Strategic Review Process Charts a Strong Future for IAALS and its Next LeaderIAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, announced today that it has named Brittany Kauffman as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Kauffman has been serving as interim CEO since May 2022, and previously served as a
Continue Reading IAALS Announces Brittany Kauffman as Next CEO, Paves Way for New Growth and National Impacts
In January, the Innovation for Justice (i4j) Program at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law published its Report to Arizona and Utah Supreme Courts: Expanding Arizona’s LP and Utah’s LLP Program to Advance Housing Stability. The report proposes expanding existing legal paraprofessional programs in Arizona and Utah to include a housing training certificate for Housing
Continue Reading New Proposal for Legal Advocates Could Help with Housing Instability in Arizona and Utah
Today, the American Bar Association Center for Innovation released the inaugural issue of the Innovation Trends Report, which explores innovation within the ABA, in legal technology, and in legal regulatory reform. Innovation within the ABA
Within the ABA, sections are working on new, innovative projects with an eye toward shaping and advancing the U.S. justice system, utilizing data and new
Continue Reading ABA Center for Innovation Trends Report Details Strides in Legal Innovation
Last week, the Oregon Supreme Court approved a program that will license individuals who aren’t lawyers to provide limited legal services in family law and landlord/tenant issues, two areas with the greatest unmet need for legal assistance in the state. This makes Oregon the fifth state in the country to enlist a new tier of legal professionals in the effort
Continue Reading Oregon Joins Growing List of States Empowering Legal Professionals to Help More People
The COVID-19 pandemic forced unprecedented modifications to nearly every profession across the globe—among them, the legal profession and its bar exam. While some jurisdictions adjusted test dates and methods, with some administering the exam remotely, others—such as Utah, Louisiana, and Washington—created or expanded opportunities for new law school graduates to enter the profession. These new opportunities ran adjacent to or
Continue Reading States Look Beyond Bar Exam to License Lawyers
IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, continues its commitment to ensuring fair, impartial, transparent, and accessible courts through JPE 2.0—a project that will help judicial performance evaluation (JPE) programs nationwide update their approaches to reflect modern realities, while remaining accurate, trusted, and relevant.JPE processes—first developed in the 1980s—provide a foundation for states to assess
Continue Reading IAALS Moves Forward with JPE 2.0, an Initiative to Improve and Expand Programs for Evaluating the Performance of State Court Judges
The Minnesota Legal Paraprofessional Pilot Project (“Pilot”) launched in March 2021, allowing legal professionals who are not licensed attorneys to provide legal advice and, in some instances, representation for clients in family law and landlord-tenant disputes (with attorney supervision). Tasked with evaluating the program’s efficacy, the Standing Committee for the Pilot submitted an Interim Report to the Minnesota Supreme Court in
Continue Reading Minnesota Supreme Court Builds Bridges with Regulatory Reform Opponents
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the World Justice Forum 2022: Building More Just Communities, held in The Hague. The forum “tackled the root causes of our global rule of law crisis through three days of agenda setting, learning, and action focused on three intersecting themes—access to justice, anti-corruption and open government, and equal rights and nondiscrimination.” Participants
Continue Reading World Justice Forum Reinforces Global Commitment to Access to Justice
With great sadness, IAALS mourns the passing of John E. Moye, one of our founders. John was a visionary in the practice of law and an innovator within our legal system. His passion for justice and the betterment of society were at the forefront throughout his life and career, and he was recognized as a “Lawyer of the Decade,”
Continue Reading Remembering IAALS Co-Founder John Moye
This week, IAALS Interim CEO Brittany Kauffman and Director of Research Logan Cornett will attend the World Justice Forum, discussing US Justice Needs and the importance of people-centered data when creating and implementing justice reforms. The World Justice Forum is an international event that convenes hundreds from around the world, both in The Hague and online, for three days of
Continue Reading IAALS at the 2022 World Justice Forum
IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, today announced that its CEO, David Yellen, has accepted the role of dean of the law school at the University of Miami. “I have deeply appreciated the opportunity DU gave me to lead IAALS,” said Yellen. “IAALS’ talented team does truly important work. I
Continue Reading IAALS Announces David Yellen to Step into Law Dean Position, Launches Strategic Assessment for Next Phase
Last week, IAALS gathered with our partners and friends for our 14th Annual Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner. We were thrilled to welcome people back in person after three years to celebrate this year’s Rebuilding Justice Award and Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award honorees, as well as recognize our collective efforts to build a more accessible, fair, and efficient civil
Continue Reading IAALS Celebrates with Partners and Friends at 2022 Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner