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The past two months have been jam-packed with regulatory innovation updates! Most recently, the Conference of Chief Justices announced the passage of a new resolution in support of exploring access to justice through authorized justice practitioner programs (a newly coined umbrella term that encompasses allied legal professional and community-based justice workers). Also, at the ABA Annual Meeting this past week, the House of Delegates passed a resolution supporting community justice workers. Speaking of authorized justice practitioners, task forces in three states—Georgia, Indiana, and Washington, D.C.—recently released final reports recommending such programs. Colorado is seeking to expand and clarify the parameters of its Licensed Legal Paraprofessional program. Both Colorado and Washington, D.C. have open public comment periods (see below for more info). Innovation for Justice recently updated its community legal education page. Finally, on the ABS front, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court recently entered an Administrative Order authorizing alternative business structures starting January 1, 2026, and the Arizona Supreme Court entered an Administrative Order updating the purpose, fees, and application denials sections of the ABS program regulation. On the AI front, IAALS recently published Regulating AI in the Delivery of Consumer-Facing Legal Services. Jessica Bednarz IAALS Director of Legal Services and the Profession August 2025 |
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Recent News & Updates
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Public Comment
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In 2024, Colorado launched a Licensed Legal Paraprofessional program. After a successful first year with 100 LLPs engaging in the practice of law, new rules are proposed to expand and clarify the parameters of LLP practice. The Colorado Supreme Court is currently seeking public comment on the new rules. Written comments must be submitted by September 29, 2025, and the public hearing will be held on October 21, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. MT in the Colorado Supreme Court Courtroom. Public comments should be submitted in letter format addressed as follows: Colorado Supreme Court, 2 E. 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80202. Public comments should be submitted by email in letter format as an attachment to the email as a Word or PDF document. Comments and speaking requests must be emailed to supremecourtrules@judicial.state.co.us. Written comments received by the deadline will be made public and posted to the website here after the comment period closes. WASHINGTON, D.C. In 2023, the D.C. Courts created the Civil Legal Regulatory Reform Task Force to explore ways that nonlawyers could help close the legal services gap in D.C. by providing civil legal services. Last month, the task force published a report recommending that the D.C. Court establish a framework for Community Justice Worker programs, direct further study of the Licensed Legal Practitioners model, and encourage organizations to develop and seek approval of innovative approaches to allow people who are not members of the D.C. Bar, including nonlawyers, to provide legal services, pursuant to Rule 49©(10) of the Rules of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. The task force is currently seeking comment on its recommendations through October 31, 2025. Comments can be submitted via email to clrrtaskforce@dccsystem.gov or by mail to: Executive Office of the D.C. Courts, ATTN: CLRRTF, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. |
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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: 14 regulated entities 10 moderate risk (one of these has two subsidiaries) 4 high risk/provisional 45 applicants since reopening in February 2024 2 applicants recommended for entry since reopening 21 applicants denied entry since reopening 0 applicants on hold 20 cumulative number of consumer complaints |
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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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