Projects

We’re researching, reporting & implementing innovative solutions to make the civil justice system work for all people.

List of current projects

Showing 1 - 11 out of 11 results

  • A woman walking confidently by a courthouse

    Uncomplicated Courts Initiative

    This initiative is creating the blueprint for courts to simplify their high-volume dockets and processes, and layer in user-focused technology alongside strategically targeted legal help, so courts will be optimized to meet the needs of people and their communities.
    Launched
  • Two men unlocking a door together.

    Unlocking Legal Regulation

    Too many people cannot effectively access our legal system to protect their rights and resolve their disputes. This project is about taking a bold step forward into a consumer-centered regulatory system—one that is competitive, broadly accessible, and better meets the needs of the people.
    Evaluating Utah; Advising on AI; Building Momentum
  • A man holding a notebook

    Allied Legal Professionals

    Allied legal professionals hold a key to bringing more accessible and affordable legal help where it is needed most. Like nurse practitioners, ALPs show great potential, and IAALS is working to grow these successful programs nationwide.
    Fostering Program Growth & Alignment around Best Practices
  • A woman standing between arrows pointing in different directions while someone walks past.

    Pathways to Legal Licensure

    IAALS is evaluating the legal licensure landscape to understand each method’s effectiveness in assessing minimum competence to practice law and protecting the public from malpractice.
    Research Underway
  • A judge holding papers in her courtroom

    Judicial Performance Evaluation 2.0

    IAALS is helping JPE programs update their approaches to reflect modern realities, while remaining accurate, trusted, and relevant.
    Final recommendations released; advising states on implementation
  • A lawyer meeting with a senior client to sign papers.

    Above the Line Network

    With over 100 million middle class Americans needing better access to affordable legal help, ATLN is helping expand middle class-focused legal services nationwide.
    Member Hub Launched; Growing Membership
  • A smiling law student outside a courthouse

    Foundations for Practice 2.0

    Our Foundations work is compiling the competencies, skills, and characteristics new lawyers need to succeed in modern practice, with corresponding pathways to improve legal education and legal hiring.
    National survey complete; focus groups underway
  • A law student studying from a book and laptop

    Building a Better Bar: Capturing Minimum Competence

    We have defined the minimum competence needed to practice law and provide recommendations for how the legal licensing process, including the bar exam, must change to better serve the public.
    Advising legal licensure leaders and policymakers
  • Image of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

    The O'Connor Judicial Selection Plan

    IAALS and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor identified a model for choosing, evaluating, and retaining judges that balances the need for fair and impartial courts with the need for public accountability and transparency.
    Advisor to state judicial selection leaders
  • Woman speaking with her research team

    US Justice Needs

    People of all socioeconomic backgrounds face problems every day with unclear paths to resolution. Our research findings are paving the way for meaningful progress to close the justice gaps in our society.
    Focusing data review on families, businesses, rural populations, and the middle class