In 2020, IAALS published its groundbreaking report on the 12 building blocks of minimum competence to be a lawyer, our 5 insights for assessment, and our 10 recommendations for better legal licensing. Here, we cover the seventh, eighth, and ninth building blocks of minimum competence.

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.

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.

For states looking to implement or improve an allied legal professional program, IAALS' new report provides best practices regarding considerations like titles, practice areas, roles and responsibilities, and attorney supervision.

Each state with an allied legal professional program has its own unique qualifications to become licensed, but one thing all programs share is that the requirements are robust. Data shows ALPs competently handle legal tasks and prioritize consumer protection, ultimately increasing access to justice.

IAALS has published a new report summarizing discussions held at our groundbreaking convening and proposing next steps for regulatory innovation. It serves as a call to action for exploring and implementing innovative ways of delivering legal services nationwide.

The Colorado Supreme Court recently released guidelines permitting virtual participation in trial court proceedings. While crucial, this is only the initial stride in securing a transformative change for the court, their users, and society.

IAALS’ JPE 2.0 project is investigating and responding to concerns about judicial performance evaluation—with a goal of renewing JPE as a valued and trusted process going forward. A foundational white paper from IAALS serves as a primer for these important developments.

We are thrilled to welcome two new members to the IAALS team—Amy Livingston as director of development and Danielle Kalil as director of civil justice and the judiciary.

The Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action ruling will undoubtedly impact law school admissions and legal hiring. Now, more than ever, efforts to improve equity and inclusion are crucial for creating a more diverse legal profession.

The largest regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales recently published a report examining the potential of unbundled legal services to improve access to justice, citing benefits to lawyers and their clients.

The demand for affordable and accessible legal services is resoundingly clear. As allied legal professional programs gain momentum, they are undeniably reshaping the legal profession—even in the face of resistance from some attorneys.