Throughout the country, courts are grappling with unmet legal needs, complex and opaque processes, widening inequities, and declining public trust. This Blueprint for Judicial Innovation recognizes judges’ critical roles in rebuilding public confidence and modernizing our court systems, and provides a practical roadmap for judges to lead sustainable, people-centered change in their communities.
The publication distills insights from Advancing Innovation, a national gathering of nearly 50 judicial leaders across 30 jurisdictions in 2024. Co-hosted by IAALS and the Berkeley Judicial Institute—with support from the State Justice Institute—the summit captured judges’ shared vision for courts that are accessible, equitable, efficient, and trustworthy. This blueprint translates that vision into steps leaders can take now, whether presiding over a busy trial docket or shaping statewide policy.
Highlights include:
The role of judges in leading innovation
Competencies of innovative leadership
Common barriers and how to overcome them
Actionable strategies for the bench
Resources judges need to succeed
A Blueprint for Judicial Innovation is a call to action. As community leaders, judges must embrace the mantle of judicial leadership, begin with focused steps, measure their impact, and share what works with others. Courts can meet the moment—not by doing more of the same, but by leading with clarity, courage, and collaboration.
