Press Release

This fall, judges are running in contestable elections in 32 states and standing in yes/no retention elections in 17 states. Judicial elections are typically low-information contests, where voters may cast their ballots based on party affiliation, name recognition, or ballot position rather than on qualifications and experience. But in a handful of states, voters will have the benefit of broad-based and objective evaluations of incumbent judges’ performance on the bench and, in one state, of the judicial potential of their challengers.

IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, announces the release of Another Voice: Financial Experts on Reducing Client Costs in Civil Litigation, a new report prepared in collaboration with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that evaluates the cost and delays of litigation from a new perspective: that of financial expert witnesses.

IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, is pleased to welcome Karen J. Mathis, past president of the American Bar Association, as its Associate Executive Director. In the new role, Mathis will oversee IAALS’ operations, including administration, fund development, finance, human resources, communications, and technology.

Denver, Colo. – IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, announces the release of Cornerstones of State Judicial Selection: Laying the Foundation for Quality Court Systems and Judges, a new publication from IAALS' Quality Judges Initiative.

IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver, is proud to announce the release of an updated edition of Navigating the Hazards of E-Discovery: A Manual for Judges in State Courts Across the Nation. This manual is a resource for judges and practitioners alike, providing a foundation for terminology, relevant case law, and other practical information about electronically stored information (ESI).

Justice Constandinos “Deno” Himonas was appointed to the Utah Supreme Court in February 2015. Prior to his appointment, he served as a trial court judge for over 10 years.

The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) at the University of Denver today applauds the Colorado Supreme Court for approving the Colorado Civil Access Pilot Project. This visionary step forward joins a national trend among states committed to improving the delivery of court services and giving plaintiffs and defendants access to a just, speedy and inexpensive court system.

IAALS has launched a unique, national initiative to change the way law schools educate students. “Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers” provides a platform to encourage law schools in the U.S. to showcase innovative teaching to produce more practice-ready lawyers who can better meet the needs of an evolving profession

In Rebuilding Justice, Rebecca Love Kourlis and Dirk Olin, in conjunction with the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS), illuminate why the courts are critical and how they are being eroded, defaced, and undermined in the twenty-first century. Kourlis and Olin propose practical and empowering solutions that aim to improve the efficiency, accessibility, and integrity of the American judicial system.

The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS), in partnership with the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Judicial Institute, and the League of Women Voters of Colorado, has launched a statewide educational effort urging voters to “Know Your Judge.”