News & Updates

The Final Report by IAALS and ACTL was cited in this article, which discusses the implications technology may have on document review. Over the past 10 years, courts and commentators have struggled with this issue. Some, such as the American College…

Despite having some of the longest judicial terms in the country, Maryland does not have a program in place to evaluate the performance of its state judges. Coupled with recent allegations of misconduct and misapplication of law coming out of the state's courts, state watchdogs are sounding the alarm regarding the need to establish such a program. The Baltimore Sun is following the situation and including IAALS’ work in its coverage.

In a recent article, The Guardian discusses why mediation may be the quicker, cheaper, and less confrontational avenue for divorce in the United Kingdom. According to the article, non-mediated divorce takes nearly 450 days on average and costs an average of £7,000, while mediated divorce proceedings take an average of 110 days and cost only an average of £535.

Two new laws will require more online information about judges standing for retention in 2012. Under this legislation, the commission on judicial performance review will post a listing of cases in which judges ruled on the constitutionality of statutes, a short biography of each judge, and the full text of their decisions during the current term.

Denmark has been known for allowing quick access to many official documents and services online, including $60 online divorces within a week. But starting next year, Danish couples with kids who want to get a divorce will have to undergo a three-month “reflection period” with free counseling before they can officially divorce. Couples without children and couples where abuse is present can still opt for the faster divorce process.

Taking some lawmakers by surprise, prominent Republicans in the house and senate announced that they will continue their pursuit of a constitutional change to the process for selecting supreme court and court of appeals judges in the final days of this legislative session.

Justice Eakin was one of six appellate judges who retained their seats in the November elections.

The State of Oregon continues to blaze a trail in civil justice reform. A new report from the Oregon Judicial Department, released at the end of June, contains recommendations to improve civil justice in the state, and it provides a master class for other states looking to reform their own systems.

A new poll by the Center for American Progress assesses voter support for judicial selection changes that are currently under consideration around the country. The highest level of support—80 percent—was found for stronger disclosure laws for judicial campaigns. And, though Republican legislators in North Carolina want to move from nonpartisan to partisan judicial elections, 68 percent of voters nationwide prefer nonpartisan races.

Dennis Kaw is the General Counsel for Appliance Factory Outlet and its affiliates. In his Voices from the Field interview, Kaw remarks on the need for law students to have more practical experience in law schools before entering the profession. He also suggests that law schools emulate the business school model of teaching students leadership and strategy.

Dick Holme has been an invaluable resource at IAALS over the years. With his pioneering insights, steadfast dedication, and hard work, Dick has not only helped shape IAALS, but the legal system as well. We thank him for his continued thought leadership and philanthropic commitment to IAALS.

On August 15, 2013, the public comment period opened on the proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This package of amendments represents the culmination of several years of work on the part of the Civil Rules Advisory Committee, with the end goal of streamlining the pre-trial process, and particularly discovery, so as to achieve a “just, speedy, and inexpensive” process. The public comment period will run through February 15, 2014.

A campaign finance reform task force recommended public financing for judicial elections. The state first enacted limits on contributions to judicial and other candidates in 2009.

On Thursday, April 25, IAALS will present the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and our four Foundations for Practice partner schools with the 2019 Rebuilding Justice Annual Award at our 12th Annual Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner for their efforts in bringing the Foundations project to life.

Chad C. Schmucker, former state court administrator and circuit judge of Jackson County, Michigan, will become the 8th president of the National Judicial College in 2014. As president, he will work to provide innovative judicial education and improve the competency of judges across the nation. Judge Schmucker’s dedication to case management and court efficiency will certainly be a hallmark of his National Judicial College presidency.

The January 2012 edition of the Educating Tomorrow's Lawyers newsletter is now available. Sign up for this and other IAALS newsletters here.

On Saturday, IAALS hosted its Pass the Gavel Dinner, celebrating Becky Kourlis as she stepped down from her 13-year tenure as IAALS' executive director as well as welcoming Scott Bales  into the position. 

Recently, the Civil Rules Advisory Committee held the first of three hearings on the proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In an effort to provide input and offer comments with a fresh perspective, IAALS is hosting A Forum for Understanding and Comment on the Proposed Federal Rules Amendments in Denver, Colorado on December 5-6, 2013 for a small group of stakeholders from around the country.

Christie nominated two men who would bring greater diversity to the state’s highest court—the first openly gay justice and the first Asian-American justice. The nominees must be confirmed by the Democratic-controlled senate.

On January 1, 2020, Michigan implemented its first major overhaul of its civil discovery rules in nearly forty years. A State Bar Association Committee was formed in 2017 to evaluate the current rules and recommend amendments that could help increase access to the courts; as a foundation to its work, the Committee looked to the 2015 federal civil rule amendments, the discovery innovations in other states, IAALS’ research and recommendations, and the Conference of Chief Justices’ national recommendations for state reform.