In the fall of 2021, IAALS launched a virtual summit series, Paths to Justice, to underscore not only the challenges of the moment but also the substantial opportunities for systemic change. The series was comprised of multiple invite-only virtual
Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
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Innovative New Project Launches to Increase Access to Justice for the Overlooked Middle Class
An important addition to the national access to justice landscape, the Above the Line Network (ATLN) has launched today to tackle the daunting challenges that middle-class Americans face when seeking legal help that doesn’t break the bank. While most organized…
IAALS Resources Reflect Importance of Centering Children in Divorce Proceedings
January is Child-Centered Divorce Awareness Month, highlighting the impact that divorce can have on children and emphasizing the need for a more child-centric approach to the separation process. This month serves as a reminder for lawyers, judges, other legal professionals,…
2023 Impact Recap and the Path to Transformative Change
As we jump into 2024, IAALS is profoundly grateful for the unwavering dedication and support of our partners and colleagues. We’re inspired by the remarkable people working alongside us to create transformative change in our civil justice system. Last year…
The Role of the Committee of Paralegal Assessors for Oregon Licensed Paralegals
This month, Oregon will join an increasing number of states licensing paralegals and other legal professionals who are not attorneys to provide discrete legal services in family and landlord/tenant law, which was previously only provided in Oregon by licensed…
The Supreme Court’s Code of Ethics and the Road Ahead
Last month, for the first time in history, the U.S. Supreme Court adopted a code of ethics. The code specifies that justices should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary; avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety; perform…
Sandra Day O'Connor: The Consummate Cowgirl
To say that Sandra Day O’Connor fundamentally changed the legal landscape for good is really only a beginning, not a summation, of the contributions she made.A daughter of the West, her first job after graduating from high school two years…
IAALS Honors Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Commits to Carrying on her Legacy
We at IAALS are among the many saddened by the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. A trailblazer in many regards, Justice O’Connor left an indelible legacy on our judicial system: one committed to fairness, equality, and…
The Future of Judicial Performance Evaluation: Reinvigorating a Cornerstone of Public Trust
Judicial performance evaluation (JPE) programs have existed across the U.S. for almost 50 years and were designed to assess the job performance of judges. These assessments center not on case outcomes but rather on desirable judicial qualities: legal knowledge, impartiality,…
So You Want to Implement an Allied Legal Professional Program, Part 3
Our Allied Legal Professionals: A National Framework for Program Growth report provides a comprehensive overview of the discussions held during our 2022 convening, including agreement on best practices, differences in program approaches, and insights gained from current programs. In previous posts,…