Press Release

Sam Walker, Executive in Residence at the Office of the Colorado Attorney General, will be IAALS' inaugural Founders Award recipient. This honor is reserved for individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to IAALS and its mission to unlock innovations that make our civil justice system more just.

Robert Southers, a transformative force in Ohio’s legal community, will receive IAALS' fifth annual Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award in April 2025. In just seven years since graduating from law school, Southers has made remarkable strides in improving access to justice.

IAALS has announced the executive committee and coordinating members of the Colorado Licensed Legal Paraprofessional (LLP) Committee as the recipients of the 2025 Rebuilding Justice Award. We're proud to recognize the achievements of the individuals who enabled LLPs to increase access to legal services for one of the largest segments of the justice gap.

IAALS has launched a new project to understand and incorporate public perspectives on regulatory reform in the legal profession. This initiative provides states with essential tools and resources to engage the public—those most affected by legal reform—in these complex discussions.

IAALS and the Law School Admission Council have announced a new joint project designed to provide a comprehensive updated view of the skills and competencies new lawyers need to succeed and serve clients well in the rapidly evolving legal profession.

IAALS is awarding Eduardo Gonzalez, Program Officer for Civil Justice at the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the fourth annual Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award. "Eduardo represents so much of what the Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award is about," said Brittany Kauffman. "He is early in his career, but his impacts and passion for innovation have outpaced his short time in the profession."

The Above the Line Network aims to tackle challenges in middle-class legal access by fostering collaboration and advocating for systemic changes. Spanning efforts across North America and beyond, ATLN is dedicated to delivering quality, affordable legal services while amplifying the voices of the often-overlooked middle class.

IAALS' new board members bring a wealth of diverse perspectives and expertise, furthering our momentum and dedication to our mission of realizing a modern, equitable, and accessible legal system.

IAALS has published a new report summarizing discussions held at our groundbreaking convening and proposing next steps for regulatory innovation. It serves as a call to action for exploring and implementing innovative ways of delivering legal services nationwide.

IAALS has released a report that includes multiple research-informed recommendations to help standardize a new tier of legal professionals across states, with the goal of increasing the options for accessible and affordable legal help for the public.