News & Updates

Self-represented litigants struggle to navigate a court system that was not designed for them, resulting in justice that is shaped as much by system design as by the merits of a case.

Elisa “Emo” Overall discusses her passion for access to justice, representing system users, and what it means to receive the Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award.

Most people and small businesses struggle to find affordable legal help when they need it, but innovation across the legal services landscape is bringing new models and providers to the market.

The award showcases innovators, risk takers, visionaries, and emerging leaders who bring a unique perspective to the improvement of our justice system.

The Uncomplicated Courts Initiative provides a national blueprint to simplify high-volume court processes, integrate legal help, and build people-centered systems.

Insights from A Blueprint for Judicial Innovation lay out how judges can be catalysts for change in their courts.

IAALS and the Berkeley Judicial Institute today released A Blueprint for Judicial Innovation, which offers concrete guidance for judges who are ready to drive people-centered reform across our justice system.

IAALS' new report on regulating AI in the delivery of consumer-facing legal services outlines a clear and actionable framework for how the legal profession can respond to the rise of artificial intelligence tools already being used by the public to navigate legal issues.

IAALS has released Building Bridges: Guidelines for Creating Reciprocity between Allied Legal Professional Programs, a first-of-its-kind report offering detailed recommendations for how states can enable ALPs to transfer their credentials across state lines.

The path to justice runs through IAALS. At every level, we are making our system more just—and our work puts our core values into practice. Read our 2024 Annual Report.

IAALS' 17th annual celebration drew 200 supporters and partners as we marked our shared achievements to improve access to justice, and united behind our collective efforts to uphold the rule of law and ensure that justice for all is a reality for everyone.

Robert Southers discusses what drives his passion for access to justice, building trust with the community, and what it means to receive the Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award.

As we begin 2025, IAALS is poised to make our biggest gains to date as we work to bring better access to our justice system for everyone. We have laid the groundwork for innovations across many states and sectors of our system—due in large part to people like you, our partners and colleagues.

Robert Southers, a transformative force in Ohio’s legal community, will receive IAALS' fifth annual Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award in April 2025. In just seven years since graduating from law school, Southers has made remarkable strides in improving access to justice.

Around a third of American households live just above the poverty line, facing financial struggles yet ineligible for many social services such as free legal aid. Initiatives like the Above the Line Network aim to improve access to affordable legal assistance for these underserved communities.

Colorado's Licensed Legal Paraprofessionals are poised to bridge the affordability gap and ease state court burdens, providing essential legal support to those who can't afford attorneys.

Eight U.S. states have adopted informal domestic relations trials to simplify divorce cases, especially for self-represented litigants. These trials streamline procedures, allow direct evidence submission, and enhance fairness, reducing court backlog and improving access to justice.

Although many navigate the legal system without representation, their lack of counsel shouldn't compromise their access to justice. While not all self-help materials are created equally, courts can implement certain key principles to empower self-represented litigants to navigate proceedings with confidence.

The world at large is constantly evolving, and so must our civil justice system. In on 2023 Annual Report, read how our work centers the people and how our solutions cascade from IAALS to the millions who benefit nationwide.

The Above the Line Network aims to tackle challenges in middle-class legal access by fostering collaboration and advocating for systemic changes. Spanning efforts across North America and beyond, ATLN is dedicated to delivering quality, affordable legal services while amplifying the voices of the often-overlooked middle class.