It’s time for the Alaska Bar Association to acknowledge reality

In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that it is time for the Alaska Bar Association to recognize the current realities of the legal landscape. As the legal profession evolves, it is incumbent upon the bar association to adapt to the changing conditions and needs of its members.

At present, the Alaska Bar Association has yet to recognize the full scope of the challenges confronting the legal profession. In particular, the association has not addressed the difficulties of the escalating cost of legal services, the rise in the number of non-lawyer legal practitioners, and the proliferation of technology-based solutions for legal matters.

The cost of legal services has become a major barrier to access to justice for many Alaskan citizens. The expense of hiring a lawyer often puts the services of an attorney out of reach for many individuals and businesses. This has led to an increase in the number of self-represented litigants and a rise in the use of non-lawyer legal practitioners to provide legal advice and services.

At the same time, technology has been transforming the legal field in significant ways. Legal technology solutions are becoming more and more sophisticated, and they offer the potential to streamline and reduce the cost of legal services. By embracing and utilizing these technological solutions, the Alaska Bar Association can not only help its members remain competitive in the marketplace, but also expand access to justice.

It is essential for the Alaska Bar Association to respond to the changing conditions of the legal profession and accommodate the needs of its members. Otherwise, the organization risks becoming obsolete and irrelevant in the eyes of its members and the Alaskan public. The bar association must recognize the realities of the legal landscape and take steps to adapt and remain competitive.