• Image of Natalie Anne Knowlton
    Natalie Anne Knowlton
  • head shot photo of Michael Houlberg
    Michael Houlberg
November 14, 2019
In partnership with national experts, IAALS has developed three new guides to support real change in state courts. Stemming from our work on the Civil Justice Initiative and Family Justice Initiative, the guides are designed to assist in creating effective self-help information for those who need it, developing problem-solving approaches for families in court, and providing insight for judges who interface with self-represented litigants.
  • Image of Maddie Hosack
    Maddie Hosack
November 7, 2019
Last month, the University of Pennsylvania Law School announced the launch of their Future of the Profession Initiative. The initiative aims to “Teach, Lead, and Transform” by looking at ways law schools can “adopt a holistic vision” for the formation of lawyers, both during law school and on through their careers.
  • Image of Brooke Meyer
    Brooke Meyer
November 5, 2019
In response to the Conference of Chief Justices' Call to Action, the Oregon Supreme Court's Civil Justice Improvements Task Force has supplied dozens of recommendations for improving civil justice, including ways to better protect consumer debt defendants. In August, Oregon implemented new procedures for tracking consumer debt collection cases and directing consumer debt defendants to the Oregon Courts website for questions and support for their case.
  • Image of Zachariah DeMeola
    Zachariah DeMeola
October 31, 2019
The American legal profession is at a crossroads. We cannot continue to expect people to confront legal problems without legal advice. IAALS’ new Unlocking Legal Regulation project is taking a bold step forward and laying the foundation for a consumer- and people-centered legal regulatory system that opens the door for more service providers, more legal services, and more sustainable practices in the marketplace.
  • Image of Kelsey Montague
    Kelsey Montague
October 29, 2019
What is it that clients value in, and want from, their lawyers? How does a lawyer meet the requirements of their clients? This information has traditionally been gathered informally and only shared internally within offices that collect client feedback. To address this gap in our understanding, IAALS partnered with Avvo to create Think Like a Client. This report uses an evidence-based approach to illuminate clients' preferences, needs, and expectations when working with their attorneys, providing valuable and much-needed insight into how lawyers can better serve their clients.
  • Image of Zachariah DeMeola
    Zachariah DeMeola
October 25, 2019
Limited legal license programs, such as the one in Washington state that NCSC is beginning to evaluate this month, can effectively contribute to the expansion of the way legal services are delivered. However, their success may be hampered if they are weighed down by excessive limitations and restrictions.
  • Image of Maddie Hosack
    Maddie Hosack
October 21, 2019
In one of the United States Courts' latest "Court Shorts" videos, nine federal judges discuss the rule of law and its role in both the justice system and our daily lives. One after another, the judges make it clear that the rule of law is a foundational part of our legal system—and our lives as Americans.
  • Image of Zachariah DeMeola
    Zachariah DeMeola
October 18, 2019
Pro bono work, while worthwhile and commendable, cannot supplant for the need for a significant change in the way our legal system is regulated.
  • Image of Maddie Hosack
    Maddie Hosack
October 16, 2019
October 20–26 is the National Celebration of Pro Bono, and over a dozen districts across Colorado are offering a legal resource day or pro bono services sometime during the week. Additionally, probono.net offers a comprehensive list of events and services being offered nationally.
  • Image of Zachariah DeMeola
    Zachariah DeMeola
October 10, 2019
In two promising developments for regulatory reform, the Arizona Task Force on the Delivery of Legal Services published its official report and recommendations, and the Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Foundation announced the creation of a task force to identify regulatory reform recommendations. Arizona's recommendations reflect IAALS' vision for a consumer-centered regulatory system that will better meet the needs of all people.
  • Image of Zachariah DeMeola
    Zachariah DeMeola
October 4, 2019
IAALS submitted this comment to the California State Bar Task Force on Access Through Innovation for Legal Services (ATILS) as part of its request for public comment on its tentative regulatory recommendations for enhancing the delivery of, and access to, legal services. Through our Unlocking Legal Regulation project, which is launching soon, we are partnering with Utah to bring bold innovation to the realm of legal regulation and the provision of legal services.
  • Image of Maddie Hosack
    Maddie Hosack
September 26, 2019
Alternative dispute resolution is becoming increasingly more prevalent in New York state civil courts, and New York recently announced a renewed commitment to ADR. Legal professionals believe ADR, and in particular mediation, could have a dramatic improvement in some areas of family law, including expediting divorce proceedings and—perhaps most significantly—decreasing the emotional havoc that divorce can wreak on both parties and their children.