News & Updates

IAALS has launched a unique, national initiative to change the way law schools educate students. “Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers” provides a platform to encourage law schools in the U.S. to showcase innovative teaching to produce more practice-ready lawyers who can better meet the needs of an evolving profession

In Rebuilding Justice, Rebecca Love Kourlis and Dirk Olin, in conjunction with the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS), illuminate why the courts are critical and how they are being eroded, defaced, and undermined in the twenty-first century. Kourlis and Olin propose practical and empowering solutions that aim to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and integrity of the American judicial system.

In the first blog for Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers, Bill Sullivan argued that legal education is more than meritocracy – that while academic merit is essential in the training of lawyers as professionals it is not enough. It is necessary, but not alone sufficient for professional excellence.

The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS), in partnership with the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Judicial Institute, and the League of Women Voters of Colorado, has launched a statewide educational effort urging voters to “Know Your Judge.”

The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) and its partners in a voter education effort in 2010 called “Know Your Judge” have won a legal challenge filed by Matt Arnold of Clear the Bench Colorado (CTBC).

IAALS board member Daniel Ritchie is the recipient of the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service. The Woodrow Wilson Awards, offered by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution, recognize leaders in government, business, science, the arts, and beyond who have embraced openness, dialogue, and service in confronting the issues of their day on the local, national, and international levels.

IAALS board member Judge Kevin S. Burke wrote a column in favor of funding for legal services for the poor.

IAALS board member Russell Wheeler discusses recent proposals to apply the United States Judicial Conference's Code of Conduct for United States Judges to members of the Supreme Court and establish a new appellate route to review recusals.

IAALS co-founder and board member John Moye has been honored as one of Colorado’s 10 “Lawyers of the Decade,” a special award from Law Week Colorado, one of the state’s leading legal publications.

IAALS board member Judge Kevin Burke of Hennepin County District Court is interviewed in this article about judicial election reform action in Minnesota.

IAALS board member Karen J. Mathis was among five women to receive the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award. The Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, established in 1991, honors outstanding women lawyers who have achieved professional excellence in their area of specialty and have actively paved the way to success for others. 

John Moye was recently named Chair of the Alumni Visiting Committee for his alma mater, Cornell Law School.

Chairman Emeritus of Duane Morris recently asked how, if tables were turned, students might grade their law schools. He ends with five suggestions for schools to improve, including a two-year plan, a three-year plan with advanced classes in a second…

This opinion piece by ALM's editor-in-chief argues that change in legal education won't be driven by universities, professors, students or employers, but rather by the client community and the organized bar (specifically, the American Bar Association…

Some law schools, including City University of New York (CUNY), are offering "solo incubators" to support recent graduates who are launching solo practices. CUNY's program offers office space and access to experienced solo practitioners. Click here…

Professor David Thomson wrote a guest post for CBA-CLE Legal Connection discussing the Carnegie Report, his own experience as a young lawyer, and why he created this course.

Recently, Brad Borden and I wrote a paper titled “The Law School Firm” (forthcoming South Carolina Law Review). The article idea is simple: Law schools should own and operate affiliated law firms where graduating students go to get trained in the practice of law for a fixed duration, similar to a judicial clerkship or analogously a residency for new doctors. The law firm would be run by senior attorneys who develop books of business, and it would be economically sustainable. Since the article’s public release, it has garnered significant attention.

IAALS Executive Director Rebecca Love Kourlis responded to questions from the ABA Journal about Educating Tomorrow's Lawyers.

The New York Times laments the growing justice gap and looks to bridge it through increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation, required pro bono, and reformed legal education that allows students to gain experience in public advocacy. Click…

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which gave rise to Educating Lawyers and its findings and recommendations for legal education reform, recognized the launch of Educating Tomorrow's Lawyers.