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Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System

Justice we can believe in.

Current judicial performance evaluation (JPE) processes—which are like job evaluations for judges—no longer fully capture the experience of modern court users, the needs of modern judges, or the expectations of modern voters. Our JPE 2.0 project is helping JPE programs update their approaches to reflect modern realities, while remaining accurate, trusted, and relevant.

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Allied Legal Professionals

Up and down the income scale, the legal needs of Americans are going unmet. Allied legal professionals hold a key to bringing more accessible and affordable legal help where it is needed most. Like nurse practitioners, allied legal professionals show great potential, and this project is working to grow these successful programs nationwide.

Unbundling Legal Services

Unbundled legal services, also called limited scope representation, is a service delivery model that holds promise for the growing numbers of self-represented litigants. IAALS advocates for and publishes resources to aid in the implementation of unbundling in order to increase access to justice.

What We Do

IAALS is changing how our system serves people today, while anticipating and preparing for future needs—delivering justice all of us can believe in.

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For the People

What good is the promise of “justice for all” if costs, complexity, and inaccessibility make it impossible for so many? Our system is designed to serve the people, so IAALS places them at the center of all we do.

dad and daughter walking into courthouse

Through the Courts

At IAALS, we’re identifying innovations that make the court system easier to navigate for everyone, while also helping courts increase efficiency, reduce procedural complexity, and make the most of the often limited resources they have.

With the Profession

The legal profession must evolve to put client and consumer needs first. IAALS is helping do just that—through improved legal education, better lawyer licensing, and re-regulation of legal services to make them more available and responsive to all.

We work across five broad areas of reform in our legal system:

Civil Justice Reform

Family Justice Reform

The Judiciary

Legal Education

Legal Profession

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Recent News and Updates

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The Goals of Justice Must be Won Anew

While acknowledging the crucial role of our Constitution and its enduring significance in our nation, we can also advocate for the ongoing enhancement of our justice system to fully uphold the principles of the rule of law.

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IAALS Announces Six Renowned Leaders Joining the Board of Advisors

IAALS' new board members bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and expertise, furthering our momentum and dedication to our mission of realizing a modern, equitable, and accessible legal system.

News and Updates

A Code of Ethics for the Supreme Court? Transparency and Bias in the Judiciary

In July, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation establishing more robust ethics standards for the U.S. Supreme Court. The legislation and the events that triggered its proposal highlight the significance of maintaining public confidence in the integrity and fairness of both court systems and judicial officials.

News and Updates

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ABA Urges Holistic Approach to Hiring, Echoing Goals of IAALS’ Foundations for Practice

The ABA has proposed a resolution encouraging law firms to take a more comprehensive approach when recruiting law students, considering foundational skills alongside more traditional factors—echoing the research and recommendations in IAALS' Foundations for Practice project.