Growing risk of e-discovery is theme of two new IAALS reports

E-discovery was ranked as the issue that will have the biggest impact on the practice of law in the next five years, according to a recent national survey.

Recognizing the accelerating impact of e-discovery, IAALS released its first publication last year. Navigating the Hazards of E-discovery served as a foundational guide for state court judges. Because IAALS received widespread interest from businesses, as well as courts, we have created two companion reports to be released this spring.

In compiling the first of two reports, IAALS reached out to an extensive network of businesses, courts and e-discovery experts to more fully understand the implications of e-discovery in the real world. This publication provides an overview of the current state of e-discovery, as well as a discussion of the impact of the 2006 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

IAALS’s second publication is designed to help small and mid-sized businesses and organizations develop an e-discovery management strategy.  This report provides practical advice on preparing for the possibility of e-discovery and is a must read for any business without an e-discovery plan in place.

Please visit our Web site at www.du.edu/legalinstitute in spring 2008 to download copies.  

 

IAALS releases national report as judicial selection methods come under increased scrutiny

On April 1, 2008, Wisconsin held a state Supreme Court election that many believe will be a bellwether for judicial campaigns throughout the year. More than $3 million was raised, much of which paid for sensational attack ads.   

Given this environment, the discussion over how we choose our judges will continue to gain momentum in 2008.  In February, IAALS partnered with the American Judicature Society to release “Judicial Selection in the States: How it Works – Why it Matters,” which was created to provide clarity and understanding of this very complex issue.

To download a copy of this report, click here.

 

Report impacts new Utah legislation

IAALS worked closely with decision makers in Utah to reform the state's judicial performance evaluation (JPE) system. The Institute provided research and policy recommendations based on national best practices. On March 17, Utah Governor John Huntsman Jr. signed S.B. 105 into law, which establishes a judicial performance evaluation program and a commission to manage it. The new legislation closely follows the best practices IAALS recommended in its 2006 publication, Transparent Courthouse: A Blueprint for Judicial Performance Evaluation. Click here to download this report.

 

IAALS unveils its new Web site

On March 21, IAALS announced the relaunch of its Web site. We have received positive feedback from colleagues and contacts across the nation. Please check out our makeover and let us know what you think. www.du.edu/legalinstitute

IAALS undertakes Civil Litigation Reform Project to identify problems associated with delay and cost in the U.S. legal system

IAALS launches civil case management project involving analysis of nearly 8,000 civil cases from eight federal district courts.