|
|
|
|
|
The killing of George Floyd, wrenchingly recorded on video, can only evoke anger, shame, and sorrow. Anger at its senselessness and its coming at the hands of those sworn to protect our communities. Shame that we have not advanced further towards the promises of due process and equal protection embedded in the Fourteenth Amendment more than 150 years ago. And sorrow for Floyd’s family and for the many wounds still flowing from our too-long history of racism and violence.
In reflecting on recent events, I found Michelle Obama’s comments compelling. If we are to move past racism, she said “it’s up to all of us—Black, white, everyone—no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out. It starts with self-examination and listening to those whose lives are different from our own. It ends with justice, compassion, and empathy that manifests in our lives and on our streets.”
Improving our civil justice system drives IAALS’ work. Even before the pandemic, the system was in crisis in terms of meeting people’s needs, and the gap between this reality and our ideal of “justice for all” is growing larger. As described in my recent call to action, even while the pandemic’s disruption increases the need for systemic improvements, it also offers a distinct opportunity to achieve them. The pandemic has forced courts, lawyers, and law schools to adopt new ways of doing things. We should learn from these efforts and seize this opportunity to make the changes we need to provide justice we can believe in.
|
|
|
|
| New Pandemic Protocols for Litigation Will Help Struggling Businesses and Their Insurers: Last week, IAALS launched a new project to help courts more quickly resolve the anticipated wave of business interruption insurance cases stemming from COVID-19-related closures and losses. The project will develop pattern discovery protocols specific to these cases, in an effort to reduce conflict and cost and to help both businesses and insurers alike reach a quick resolution. |
|
|
|
Civil Justice after COVID-19: IAALS Executive Director Scott Bales has issued a call to action in the wake of COVID-19. The pandemic is highlighting shortcomings of our civil justice system that many people and businesses already knew, and now is the time for courts, lawyers, and legal educators to learn from the new efforts underway and work to make long-term, fundamental changes. |
IAALS' Survey Explores Attorneys' Trust and Confidence in the Legal System: Last year, IAALS surveyed members of the American Board of Trial Advocates about their trust and confidence in the legal system and factors that influence their perspectives. A substantial majority of respondents reported high levels of confidence in both the state and federal court systems, but others gave us reasons for their declining confidence. |
|
|
|
New Pew Report Highlights Trends in Debt Collections and Critical Need for Reform: This month, The Pew Charitable Trusts released a new report that looks at trends in debt collection lawsuits in the United States and suggests steps that courts can take to modernize our state civil justice system and ensure access to justice. The economic impacts of the pandemic make these recommendations all the more critical and timely. |
Bike Ride Celebrating the Life of Alli Gerkman to Be Held in August: On August 9, friends, family, and fans of Alli Gerkman will gather in Littleton, Colorado, for Alli’s Rally: a fun, free, casual self-supported bike ride to celebrate Alli’s love for riding, her infectious laughter, and her extraordinary legacy. |
|
Be sure to read all of the news from IAALS on our blog. |
Visit our Knowledge Center to track what's happening around the country and the world when it comes to legal regulation, as well as submit information and sign up for notifications. |
|
|
|
| May 29: "Institute Creating Pandemic Discovery Protocols for Litigation" in Carrier Management
May 29: "Business News: COVID-19 Claim Protocols, HomeCare Connect and Roost" in Claims Journal
May 27: "Steven Badger Named to IAALS Working Group to Develop Initial Discovery Protocols for COVID-19 Insurance Litigation" on Zelle LLP's website
May 21: "What Covid-19 Might Mean for Online Dispute Resolution" in PrawfsBlawg
May 15: "New Report Shows 'Road Map' for Court Change with Tech and Procedure" in Law Week Colorado
May 12: "New members for next term are slated for ABA legal ed section's council" in ABA Journal
May 5: "NCJFCJ's Joey Orduña Hastings Joins Two Prestigious National Committees" in Nevada Business
May 1: "Revolutionizing the Business of Law" in Washington Lawyer |
Noteworthy |
IAALS' Think Like a Client project was the topic of BNI Shoreline's weekly meeting
IAALS' Court Compass project is cited in Pew's How Debt Collectors Are Transforming the Business of State Courts report
IAALS' Transforming Our Civil Justice System for the 21st Century: The Road to Civil Justice Reform report mentioned in State Justice Institute's news section |
|
| Join IAALS and the Sturm College of Law on June 25 from 2–3 p.m. MT for a virtual talk with law professor and ABA Journal Legal Rebel Bill Henderson. Henderson’s impressive career of innovation in both legal education and the profession make him a unique and informed voice on how we may best unlock legal regulation in order to deliver legal services in a way that’s thoughtful, efficient, and affordable.
Free registration is now open. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|