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Happy spring, everyone! IAALS recently launched a new project to develop a blueprint for the evaluation of Alternative Business Structure (ABS) programs. As the Arizona program continues to grow and other states continue to explore ABS programs, there is a growing need for clear, evidence-based approaches to evaluation. This initiative seeks to fill that gap by providing a structured framework to assess how these programs are functioning in practice and how they can be improved over time. Last month, in partnership with Innovation for Justice and Community Justice Advocates of Utah, IAALS relaunched an expanded version of the U.S. Justice Worker Program Index, a comprehensive national resource mapping how Community-Based Justice Worker programs are structured, authorized, and implemented across the country. IAALS also aims to launch the fourth Utah Sandbox interim evaluation report—a social return on investment analysis—in the coming weeks. IAALS continues to work with the Duke Center on Law & Technology on a toolkit to assist leaders in creating prosecutorial guidance and non-prosecution policies for regulating the use of AI and tech in the delivery of consumer-facing legal services in their local jurisdictions. Also on the regulating tech/AI front, OpenAI is now being sued for practicing law without a license, and the New York State Senate is poised to make tools like Roxanne AI illegal. In other news, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Upsolve’s appeal without explanation, and this is for real your last chance to submit public comments to the Tennessee Supreme Court (see details below). |
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Recent News & Updates
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Public Comment
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On September 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of Tennessee entered an administrative order establishing its interest in reassessing its approach to regulation of the legal profession to ensure that all Tennesseans have access to affordable quality legal services and is seeking public comment on the following regulatory innovation issues:
Comments should take into consideration the Court’s goals of lowering barriers to entry into the legal profession and ensuring the availability of affordable legal services to Tennesseans, while also upholding the competency of Tennessee’s attorneys and safeguarding the public. The updated deadline for submitting written comments is April 30, 2026. Written comments may be submitted either by email to appellatecourtclerk@tncourts.gov or by mail addressed to: James Hivner, Clerk Re: Regulatory Reform 100 Supreme Court Building 401 7th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37219-1307 Comments should reference the docket number: ADM2025-01403. Please share this information with anyone else you think might be interested! |
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Resources
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Upcoming Events
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From the Sandbox
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| Some highlights from the latest activity report out of Utah's Office of Legal Services Innovation (last updated October 2025): 6 regulated entities (one of these has two subsidiaries) 6 moderate risk 48 applicants since reopening in February 2024 2 applicants recommended for entry since reopening 32 applicants denied entry since reopening 0 applicants on hold 0 new consumer complaints in February |
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| Visit our Knowledge Center to track what's happening around the country and the world when it comes to legal regulation, as well as submit information and sign up for notifications. | |||||
IAALS is a national, independent research organization that innovates and advances solutions that make our civil justice system more just. |
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