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Message from Our Executive Director |
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The Rule of Law is absolutely under attack in the United States—from elected officials, state legislative bodies, and groups of individuals. The attacks are apparent in politicians’ tirades, legislative proposals that would limit the authority of courts, and assaults on established principles of law such as federal versus state authority. Whether these attacks stem from a lack of understanding about our courts, or a lack of access to them, we are working to make a difference in this anti-court, anti-lawyer climate. But, we need your help to climb these mountains. There is no more important work to be done—let’s seize these opportunites, as we discuss later in this report with our
Arizona Republic op-ed.
Rebecca Love Kourlis, IAALS Executive Director
June 2017
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Partner Profile: Stanton Dodge |
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IAALS simply would not be what it is without the support of our partners and friends. They are essential to our efforts and hail from a wide range of backgrounds, viewpoints, and sectors. Every month, IAALS will shine the spotlight on one such person and take you behind the scenes for a lighthearted profile of someone who is shoulder to shoulder with us.
This month, we profile R. Stanton Dodge, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of DISH, whose motto is "experience is the best teacher." |
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Efforts to Transform America's Civil Justice System Hit the Ground Running
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The effort to create a 21st Century system of justice is advancing. Last month, IAALS and the National Center for State Courts announced the release of a new Roadmap to guide states as they implement sweeping changes to make state courts more efficient and effective—and that five jurisdictions will serve as demonstration pilots as they follow the roadmap and implement civil justice reform.
An additional three states have also been selected as demonstration pilots around the country as they work to reduce cost and delay in the legal system. These efforts are part of a three-year $1 million strategic response to the call to action sounded by the Conference of Chief Justices, and supported by the State Justice Institute.
Read more.
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O'Connor Advisory Committee Warns of State Lawmakers' Attacks on the Judiciary
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Our O’Connor Advisory Committee (OAC) members are sounding the alarm about a growing and concerning pattern: state lawmakers all but declaring war on our courts. In defense of America’s system of checks and balances, the OAC banded together on an op-ed that ran in the
Arizona Republic last month.
In “If you like checks and balances, these bills to usurp the courts should worry you,” the OAC explains how legislation in Arizona is an example of the 41 bills introduced in 15 states this year that would “control the ways by which judges reach the bench, unseat judges currently on courts, and generally restrict courts’ jurisdiction and power,” should they become law. They argue that these state bills interfere with the independence of the judiciary and threaten our democracy.
Read more.
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Why Life Experience
Between College and Law School Matters
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Alli Gerkman, Director of
Educating Tomorrow's Lawyers, has long given prospective law students the same advice: take time off before you go to law school. So, it didn’t surprise us when lawyers responding to our Foundations for Practice survey indicated that “life experience between college and law school” was helpful in identifying that a new lawyer has the foundations (characteristics, professional competencies, and legal skills) that they believe are important.
To that end, Harvard Law School has announced it is expanding a pilot program that lets law school applicants defer admission to the law school for two years.
Read more.
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The Legal Marketplace is Changing and Innovating
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Consumer demand and innovations in the legal marketplace, especially technological advances, are leading the charge for changes in the legal profession.
Some recent movement toward innovation and streamlined processes in the family law realm include: Montana's study of Limited License Legal Technicians (LLLTs), like those already implemented in Washington; Oregon’s Informal Domestic Relations Trial (IDRT), which gives litigants the option of a less formal, more flexible trial; and Idaho's simplified court processes. Additionally, many lawyers around the country are embracing unbundled legal services.
These are but a few of the exciting advances that are bridging the justice gap in the legal marketplace. The goal now is to educate the broader public about the availability and choices of affordable legal services and to inform lawyers and courts on effective ways to deliver them.
Read more.
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IAALS Recommendations Guide Virginia's New Appellate JPE Program
The Virginia Supreme Court has begun pilot testing a performance evaluation program for its appellate judges. Among the sources of guidance to which the court looked in developing the pilot program was IAALS’
Recommended Tools for Evaluating Appellate Judges. Read more.
Washington LLLT Program Rates Well, Inspires Other States to Action
Washington State’s innovative LLLT program was recently evaluated by the National Center for State Courts and found to be a well-designed program for expanding legal assistance. Read more.
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