A shared voice for access to justice
In a meeting room in Denver, Colorado, Brittany K.T. Kauffman, CEO of IAALS, made a compelling point: civil justice is not about technical rules alone—it’s about people dealing with real-life problems. Issues like evictions, unpaid wages, and family conflicts go beyond courtrooms. They affect families, communities, and even the economy.
This insight is at the center of the Justice Narrative Project, a new effort started by IAALS. The project kicked off with the release of the Civil Justice Messaging Guide, which is meant to help organizations across the civil justice system speak with a common message. The goal is to show why the system is in need of improvement and what it means for people across the country.
From jargon to human stories
The Messaging Guide aims to move away from technical legal language and complicated terms. It suggests that organizations should focus on sharing personal stories and highlight values like fairness, opportunity, and community. It offers message templates, tips for different audiences, and communication best practices.
Jennifer S. Bentley, from the Michigan State Bar Foundation, pointed out that one organization can’t change public views on civil justice by itself. She said that this initiative gives everyone a shared beginning while letting each group express itself in its unique way.
The guide also shows that storytelling is not just a way to talk—it’s a tool to demonstrate how civil justice issues are deeply tied to people’s everyday lives. Bentley added that when groups focus on the same values but speak honestly to their own communities, they can create stronger impact together.
A tool for practitioners, not just policymakers
Elisa “Emo” Overall, who leads the Colorado Access to Justice Commission, noted that those working on the ground understand the importance of shared messages. “This guide helps us communicate more clearly and confidently, allowing us to spend less time explaining what civil justice is and more time building trust and creating better results for those we serve,” she said.
The Messaging Guide is made to be flexible, so it can be used by a wide range of organizations including legal aid services and bar associations. It’s not just a document—it’s a beginning to a larger national conversation about how to make justice more accessible and fair.
Now that the guide is available online, IAALS is encouraging groups in the civil justice field to use, change, and share the resource. More information about the Justice Narrative Project and its plans can be found on the project’s website.
IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, works to create solutions that make the civil justice system more fair. Founded in 2006 at the University of Denver, IAALS is committed to ensuring justice for all. For more details about the project and to download the guide, visit the provided links.