New IAALS Report Sets National Vision for Allied Legal Professionals via Reciprocity
IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, today 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 allied legal professionals (ALPs) to transfer their credentials across state lines.
As ALP programs continue to expand across the country—offering affordable legal services in areas like family law, landlord-tenant disputes, and debt collection—IAALS is working to ensure these professionals are supported by a connected and sustainable system. This report builds on the momentum of seven states that currently have ALP programs and provides a concrete framework for states to adopt or enhance reciprocity rules.
"Reciprocity isn’t just about mobility, it’s about building a cohesive profession that better serves the public,” said Michael Houlberg, Director of Special Projects at IAALS and lead author of the report. “By designing thoughtful and flexible reciprocity rules, states can increase access to justice while also growing a strong and interconnected ALP workforce.”
The report draws on the insights of program leaders from across the country who participated in a virtual convening hosted by IAALS in August 2024. The convening focused on challenges and opportunities in creating reciprocity for ALPs, modeled in part after attorney reciprocity rules. Among the key recommendations are setting clear standards for what constitutes a "substantially equivalent" license, adopting practical experience requirements, and ensuring ethics training consistency across jurisdictions.
Steve Crossland, Chair of the Washington State Limited License Legal Technician Board and a participant in IAALS’ convening, emphasized the broader implications:
“Allied legal professionals are already transforming access to justice in their states. Creating reciprocity ensures that their impact isn’t confined by artificial borders—it’s how we build a truly national movement.”
Building Bridges is a companion to IAALS’ ongoing work to support the growth and effectiveness of ALP programs nationwide, following previous publications on the landscape and development of these roles. With more states exploring new programs, this latest report arrives at a pivotal time.
To read the full report or learn more about IAALS’ ALP initiative, visit iaals.du.edu/projects/allied-legal-professionals.
