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Message from Our Executive Director |
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As you know from our January newsletter, we will honor the Conference of Chief Justices at our annual Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner on April 19 in recognition of their leadership and work toward securing the promise of justice for all. The highlight of the evening will be a fireside chat with several of the Chiefs in attendance discussing public trust and confidence in the courts. It is an issue that IAALS will be delving into more deeply this year, and we hope you will join us in this important conversation. Registration is now open.
Rebecca Love Kourlis, IAALS Executive Director
March 2018
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Partner Profile: Mary McQueen
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IAALS simply would not be what it is without the support of our partners and friends. This month, we profile Mary McQueen, President, National Center for State Courts.
Mary is a leader and a visionary. When IAALS was founded, she was one of the first people we reached out to, because we saw so many natural partnerships that we could forge between IAALS and the National Center—and indeed we have.
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Workshop Brings Oxygen and Sunshine to Civil Justice Reforms
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IAALS Board Member Jennifer Bailey, Administrative Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Circuit Civil Division, wrote a guest blog following a Nuts and Bolts of Civil Justice Reform workshop in January:
"The workshop focused on developing hands-on civil justice reform projects for the jurisdictions in attendance, including ideas to improve processes for uncontested or minimally contested cases, encouraging judges to engage in case management and defining what that task encompasses, looking at discovery and proportionality, and leadership in initiating local change. Participants explored ways to triage cases on entry into the system and how to capture cases at risk for losing momentum. The role of technology, organizational culture, and the need for communication were the topics of specific discussion and debate."
Read more.
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Trial Attorneys Play an Important Role in Judicial Performance Evaluations
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Judicial performance evaluation (JPE) took center stage in the Fall/Winter 2017 issue of
Voir Dire, the American Board of Trial Advocates’ magazine. The cover story, written by IAALS’ own Rebecca Love Kourlis and Natalie Knowlton, discussed JPE programs in place today around the country and how trial attorneys, in particular, fit into those processes:
"Attorneys play an integral role in supporting JPE programs and the broader goals that these programs are designed to serve. Through JPE, trial attorneys can both have a voice in the selection and retention of judges and also justify—to their colleagues, clients, and the public more broadly—a system that preserves and protects the independence of the judiciary."
Read more.
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Illinois Judicial College Draws Hundreds of Judges,
Calls to Action
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Illinois takes judicial education seriously. Over 400 judges participated in the Illinois Judicial College's recent full-week debut of courses. IAALS Executive Director Rebecca Love Kourlis presented at the initial plenary session.
She spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing the state courts around the country at present, and urged the judges to remember that they are the engines of justice, every day—that in their hands, they hold the opportunity to make the system simpler, more accessible, and more effective.
Judges hold the key when it comes to public trust and confidence, redefining case management procedures, and improving processes for the users of our courts.
Read more.
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IAALS Partner Christine Whitman to Lead Democracy Task Force
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In response to the “enormous pressure” and polarization weighing on the American political landscape, the Brennan Center for Justice has launched the National Task Force on the Rule of Law and Democracy.
One of the co-chairs of the Task Force is IAALS O’Connor Advisory Committee Member and former Governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman. She is joined in leadership by co-chair and former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
The Task Force intends to issue a bipartisan reform agenda to relieve the pressures currently threatening our democratic institutions, and will examine ways to strengthen ethics and conflicts of interest laws and protect the independence of law enforcement and the courts.
Read more.
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When I came on board at IAALS last year, I was struck by two things:
- Every single member of the staff team makes a gift to the organization. Every. Single. One.
- The mission is more than meets the eye. It's complex, nuanced, non-partisan, and intently dedicated to staying in the “v”. Dan Ritchie, one of IAALS' founders, had this to say about the inspiration behind his involvement and philanthropic support:
"Nobody else is doing what IAALS does. Nobody has the respect and balance and commitment that IAALS has. Our civil justice system is the lynchpin of our country and democracy. Without a strong justice system, America will be like other countries ruled by authoritarian governments, which is why supporting IAALS is absolutely essential if we value our freedom and the liberties given through the Bill of Rights."
IAALS has the dedication and support of a collection of philanthropists at every level of the giving spectrum. And to all of you who support the IAALS’ mission, please accept our sincere gratitude.
Carol Miller
Director of Strategic Partnerships |
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IAALS is a national, independent research center dedicated to facilitating continuous improvement and advancing excellence in the American legal system. Our mission is to forge innovative and practical solutions to problems in our system in collaboration with the best minds in the country. |
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Engage—Connect—Invest
in the Future of the American Legal System |
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