Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Joins Forces with IAALS in New Initiative

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor recently announced the formation of the “O’Connor Judicial Selection Initiative,” an IAALS-staffed and funded project to accelerate efforts to reform systems that choose judges through direct election nationwide. Thirty-three states elect some portion of their judges, a process that has too often degenerated into a spectacle featuring multi-million dollar campaigns and attack ads. In a speech given at Georgetown Law School, Justice O’Connor decried the growing public perception that judges are merely politicians in robes.

The announcement

brought a flurry of media coverage and in one story Justice O’Connor observed "no other nation in the world elects their judges through popular elections. We are alone in that regard." Initiative Director Theresa Spahn has already begun to reach out to states with an interest in moving from election to merit selection of judges—including Nevada—to offer support ranging from public education to policy reform resources.
(Pictured left to right: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Rebecca Love Kourlis)

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Fact-Pleading Looms Large in Reform Debate

A newly released IAALS article highlights the success of fact-based pleading in the nation's busiest state courts and asks thought leaders to consider the benefits of replacing the current standard—notice pleading—with an approach that reduces cost and delay, while strengthening access to our legal system. Download a copy.

Civil Justice Reform Surges Across the U.S.

Jurisdictions across the country now have the tools needed to implement innovative pilot projects. Recently, IAALS released A Roadmap for Reform: Pilot Project Rules and Civil Caseflow Management Guidelines, two of its most important publications to date. These reports serve as a guide for courts interested in creating a more affordable, efficient and fair system of justice.

A number of jurisdictions are evaluating possible pilot projects, and we expect many more in coming months. The Roadmaps are the culmination of two years of research and collaboration with the American College of Trial Lawyers Task Force on Discovery and Civil Justice.

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