News & Updates

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.

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.

Generative AI is already impacting every aspect of human life, including the law. This technology presents us with an opportunity to enhance the administration of justice—while remembering to keep people at the heart of this effort.

The North Carolina Justice for All Project is suing the state over restrictions on providing legal advice, aiming to establish nonlawyers' right to offer limited services and spark reform discussions for a fairer legal system.

The community-based justice worker model is rapidly expanding within the civil justice ecosystem, showcasing diverse forms and significant impact. Here, we explore its evolution, approaches, and nationwide influence on improving access to justice.

Leaders in the regulatory innovation movement encounter two persistent misconceptions: that the access to justice crisis solely impacts low-income individuals and that new legal market models pose risks to consumers. Despite evidence refuting these beliefs, they persist, underscoring the need for clarification and advocacy efforts.

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.

Throughout the past year, IAALS has been at the forefront of advancing justice by broadening access to legal assistance, rethinking regulation, and redefining legal licensure. As we step into 2024, we remain dedicated to bringing about transformative change within the justice system.

Oregon has introduced a licensing system for legal professionals known as Licensed Paralegals to tackle the access to justice crisis. The Committee of Paralegal Assessors will review applications to ensure they meet the regulatory requirements for admission to the Oregon State Bar. 

For states looking to implement or improve an allied legal professional program, IAALS' new report provides best practices regarding considerations like fee sharing, regulatory requirements, and program costs.

As the legal profession undergoes a renaissance, proactive data collection is crucial. Here, we provide a strategic approach—defining objectives, ensuring data quality, and fostering a culture of learning—to enhance evidence-based decision-making, promote accountability, and achieve program success.

Several groundbreaking legal technology companies, including Rasa Legal and ZAF, were recently highlighted at the American Legal Technology Awards. Their work would not have been possible without the establishment of Utah’s regulatory sandbox.

In October, IAALS convened leaders from various regulatory innovation initiatives to discuss sandbox and alternative business structure efforts and research, improve stakeholder engagement, and emphasize the importance of community relations.

Data from current ALP programs suggests that concerns about consumer protection are largely unfounded. Expanding these programs can deliver competent legal help to countless individuals who lack access to traditional legal services.

As more states reimagine how legal services can be delivered, it's crucial to emphasize that successful implementation hinges on robust data collection and evaluation. The more data we gather and analyze, the more robust our foundation becomes for advancing regulatory innovation.

For states looking to implement or improve an allied legal professional program, IAALS' new report provides best practices regarding considerations like in-court representation; eligibility, education, and practical training; and testing.

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 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.