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,
Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) is an organization focused on improving the American legal system to make it more accessible, efficient, and people-centered. It conducts research, develops projects, and publishes resources aimed at reforming civil justice, family justice, the judiciary, legal education, and the legal profession. IAALS emphasizes innovation in court processes, judicial leadership, and legal regulation to better serve the public and adapt to modern challenges. Its work includes promoting judicial performance evaluation, simplifying court procedures, and exploring new pathways for legal licensure. IAALS also convenes leaders and offers practical guidance to foster systemic change in the justice system.
Latest from Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System - Page 9
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,…
Embedding Data Collection in Innovation
We are witnessing a renaissance in the legal profession—one characterized by new and renewed questions about how we provide legal services, who can provide them, and how those in our profession are educated and licensed. And this has ushered in…
Award-Winning Legal Tech Startups Are Reshaping the Future of Justice
Last month, the American Legal Technology Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, showcased groundbreaking legal technologies, several of which are part of Utah’s pioneering regulatory sandbox. Rasa Legal clinched the Startup category with its mission to make the expungement process simpler…
Oregon Becomes Trailblazer in New Attorney Licensing Pathway, Task Force to Receive Award
Oregon made history this week by becoming the first U.S. state to introduce a new pathway for attorney licensing, allowing law school graduates to become licensed lawyers without the need for the traditional bar exam or graduating from an…
Building a Consumer-Centered Legal Market: Takeaways from IAALS’ Convening on Regulatory Reform
Since 2019, IAALS has been at the forefront of efforts to rethink how we regulate the delivery of legal services and how we can create a consumer-centered regulatory system to ensure a more robust market for high-quality legal services—one that…
Balancing Consumer Protection and Consumer Access with Alternative Legal Service Providers
Over the past 10 years—since Washington State implemented the first allied legal professional (ALP) program—there has been a steady increase in states interested in developing their own program. Alongside this increased desire has also been increased skepticism from attorneys that…
Utah Bar Admissions Working Group Proposes Novel Pathway Grounded in IAALS’ Research
The Utah Bar Admissions Working Group has issued its final report outlining recommendations for a novel approach to attorney licensure in Utah, and the proposed new pathway is currently before the Utah Supreme Court for consideration. This recommended pathway…
Wisconsin Impeachment Demonstrates the Problem with Judicial Elections
In April, the Wisconsin Supreme Court secured a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years with the election of Justice Janet Protasiewicz. The former Milwaukee County judge’s campaign received robust financial support from Democrats, setting the stage…
Data Plays a Critical Role in Regulatory Innovation
Many states are rethinking how legal services are delivered and regulated in an effort to close the justice gap and connect more people with the help they need when they experience a legal issue. Whether it be implementing a regulatory…