The Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) at the University of Denver and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) have launched the Foundations 2.0 survey to gather insights from practicing lawyers on the skills and competencies new lawyers need in today’s evolving legal landscape. As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies reshape the profession, the survey seeks to identify which human-centered skills—such as interpersonal communication, strategic thinking, and practical judgment—will be essential.
Sent via email to lawyers nationwide by state bars and sponsoring institutions, the survey is open for approximately one month and takes 15 to 25 minutes to complete. The results aim to guide law schools in curriculum design and inform bar associations’ continuing legal education programs. LSAC’s Zachariah J. DeMeola emphasizes the goal of developing a national competency model that reflects both technological shifts and real-world practice.
Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann A. Scott Timmer has urged lawyers to participate, highlighting the importance of ensuring new lawyers are prepared not just at graduation but throughout their careers. The initiative builds on IAALS’s original 2014 Foundations for Practice survey, which helped influence licensing reforms in Oregon and Utah. With evidence showing many junior lawyers feel underprepared, Foundations 2.0 represents a critical step in aligning legal education with professional demands.
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