Judiciary

Public trust depends on a trustworthy judiciary

Public trust depends on judicial excellence. We must champion efforts that instill public trust for our society to become stronger. Courts function best—and earn public confidence—when judges are equipped to lead with integrity and vision, and when judicial independence is balanced with judicial accountability. In a justice system facing mounting complexity and public scrutiny, judicial excellence is not optional. It is essential to fairness, legitimacy, and meaningful innovation.

Judges occupy a uniquely powerful position in the justice system. They work on the front lines, interacting daily with people navigating legal processes and witnessing firsthand where systems succeed, and where they fall short. Strengthening the judiciary strengthens the justice system as a whole.

Advancing judicial excellence

Achievable and sustainable justice innovation requires strong judicial leadership. When judges are empowered to lead change within their courtrooms and court systems, improvements can take root at the speed and scale the public needs.

Our work in the judiciary is setting a new standard of high qualifications, accountability, leadership, and impartiality of judges secured through informed election processes. These stronger standards will ensure that communities across the country feel safe in the hands of their civil justice system.

A judge walking and talking with colleagues

A Blueprint for Judicial Innovation

Judges are in a prime position to champion new ideas, test pilot programs, collaborate across silos, and drive innovations that directly benefit the public. IAALS brings together state and federal judges from across the country and equips them to respond to challenges, lead through crises, and advance innovations both locally and nationally. Through ongoing engagement and a national webinar series, we are expanding the community of judicial leaders and innovators.

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A judge holding papers in her courtroom

Judicial Performance Evaluation 2.0

Since its founding, IAALS has been at the forefront of efforts to improve and expand programs for evaluating the performance of judges. JPE strengthens accountability, supports judicial growth, and builds public confidence in the courts. Our work centers on modernizing evaluation systems so they are fair, meaningful, and aligned with the realities of judicial work.

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Image of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

O'Connor Judicial Selection Plan

Judicial selection shapes the quality and credibility of the bench. Developed with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the O’Connor Judicial Selection Plan provides a merit-based framework that emphasizes qualifications, transparency, and independence over politics. IAALS supports this model as a pathway to judicial excellence and stronger public trust.

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More judiciary resources

  • Judicial Recusal & Discipline

    IAALS has recommendations for judicial recusal practices to help courts address conflicts of interest while preserving fairness and public confidence, and recommendations for judicial discipline systems to help protect judicial independence while maintaining appropriate oversight and transparency.

  • Federal Judicial Selection

    IAALS promotes best practices around how federal judges are chosen and has reviewed federal judicial screening committees, merit selection panels, and other appointment components to identify practices that support fair, trusted selection processes.

How can we help? IAALS partners with stakeholders nationwide to build, implement, and evaluate legal system innovations. Learn more.

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