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This year, IAALS turns 20. And that is something worth celebrating!
Twenty years of asking hard questions. Twenty years of bringing together people from across the justice ecosystem, united by a shared commitment to improving how our justice system works. Twenty years of moving ideas into action—grounded in data, collaboration, and a belief that justice reform must deliver real results for real people.
As we step into this anniversary year, we’re celebrating not just IAALS, but the community that makes this work possible. That includes the leaders, innovators, judges, lawyers, researchers, partners, and supporters who work alongside us to drive change—and whose engagement and generosity sustain IAALS as an independent nonprofit.
We were thrilled to kick off this year-long celebration last week at our Birthday Party, surrounded by so many who make our work possible. As part of our 20th year, we’ve also launched a refreshed website, a new way to experience today’s IAALS and the work guiding our future. I hope you'll jump on to the website and check it out!
That momentum continues this spring at our Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner and, in honor of our 20th year, an expanded, day-long Forum on Innovation and Impact that will bring national leaders together for timely conversations about the future of civil justice.
You’ll see that spirit reflected throughout this newsletter: in the progress we made in 2025, in the leaders we will honor in the months ahead, and in the opportunities to gather, learn, and lead together as we look toward the next 20 years and beyond.
BRITTANY KAUFFMAN, CEO
January 2026 |
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Be sure to read all of the news and updates from IAALS on our website.
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Join Us for IAALS’ 20th Anniversary
Throughout the year, we’ll bring together leaders and partners to reflect on progress, recognize leadership, and help shape what justice must look like in the decades ahead.
Details and ticket information for our upcoming 20th anniversary events:
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This series is open to all judges seeking to become catalysts for positive change in the legal system. Click here for more details on the entire series, each individual webinar, and to register for any/all today!
NEXT UP IN THE SERIES:
Staying the Course: Strategies for Sustaining Change
February 11, 2026
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UPCOMING EVENTS, EXTERNAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND ATTENDANCE:- Jan. 28: LSC Innovations in Tech Conference (San Antonio—Bednarz)
- Feb. 4-5: Uncomplicated Courts Initiative Convening (Colorado Springs)
- Feb. 11: Staying the Course: Strategies for Sustaining Change: A Webinar Series on Judicial Innovation and Leadership (Virtual—Register here)
- Feb. 11: National Organization of Bar Counsel Semi-Annual Meeting (San Antonio—Bednarz)
- Feb. 17: Colorado APEX Well-Being Program Lunch & Learn (Virtual—Bednarz)
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- December: “IAALS Launches the Uncomplicated Courts Initiative to Redesign the Justice Journey for All” from the State Justice Initiative
- December: “Building a 21st Century Judiciary: A Reform Agenda for New York City” from Scrutinize
- December: “No Access to Justice Without Access to a Lawyer” from the Illinois State Bar Association
- Dec. 1: “Scaling Justice: Unauthorized practice of law and the risk of AI over-regulation” in Thomson Reuters
- Dec. 5: “Sick of those state Supreme Court campaign ads, Wisconsin? Here’s how other states avoid them” in Wisconsin Watch
- Dec. 5: “Wisconsin’s high court elections fuel rising partisan battles” in the Wisconsin Law Journal
- Dec. 10: “How states other than Wisconsin select their Supreme Court justices” in PBS Wisconsin
- Dec. 14: “Bridging the Justice Gap in Federal Administrative Proceedings” in The Regulatory Review
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