All About ABA Law Day
In 1958, the American Bar Association declared May 1 as Law Day, a day meant to be set apart for the celebration of our legal system as a part of the culture of our country. In the ABA’s own words, "Law Day provides an excellent time for all lawyers, their associations, and others in the justice system to say that we in this nation of laws hold allegiance to those laws of our own making, and not to the whims of men."
In 1961, Congress passed a joint resolution establishing Law Day as a national day of celebration of our legal system and of the rule of law. President Kennedy proclaimed May 1 as the first Law Day to be commemorated by Americans. Since then, Law Day has been committed to a national celebration of our legal system and the rule of law.
Law Day was established only a little more than a decade after the end of World War II, just eight years removed from the Nuremberg Trials and the conflict in Europe and Asia that dominated national and international law at the time. Although these events were largely in the past in 1958, they were still fresh in the minds of many US citizens. And it was in these times that the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights was established in 1948 , and the United Nations was formed in 1945 (the adoption of the UN charter actually fell on the same day as Law Day, May 1), both in part in response to these conflicts.
Law Day was thus born out of a desire to improve the American legal system, and to strengthen the rule of law, and through it, global peace. Initially, the celebration’s focus was on what the ABA described as "the Hallmarks of Law Day – recognition and respect for human rights, fair and equal justice for everyone under the law, respect for the responsibility of government to provide justice, assistance to all who seek justice, a public and private bar that is competent, responsive, vigilant, independent, and a judiciary that is free and fair, competent, retired, responsible, and independent." Although this message was watered down somewhat to be more palatable to modern sensibilities, it is important to understand the origins of this message for Law Day so as to remember and remind ourselves why we must continue to ensure that our system fails none of its participants.
How is ABA Law Day Celebrated?
Celebrations of ABA Law Day are held across the country by law institutions, schools, and community organizations. Most usually hold essay, art, or another creative contest to help engage students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Some public schools in larger urban areas provide students the opportunity to participate in mock congressional hearings. Local bar associations in the area where the law institution is located frequently hold legal clinics, town hall-style forums, or moot court competitions. Often the law institutions will partner with local high schools to promote civic engagement, and many such collaborations will include an invitation to take part in a tour of the law institution. Parades, festivals, community service, and even hate crime memorial dedications and activities are also common ways for civilians to celebrate and learn more about the law. Even a simple ice cream social or other type of gathering can be useful in bringing communities together in a public space to share in their knowledge and interest of the law.
Recent ABA Law Day Themes
In the past few years, the American Bar Association has used Law Day to highlight a number of important issues regarding the legal system and the protection of liberties. A celebration year by year has addressed different areas, all relevant to the practice of law and the preservation of American democracy. Of course, some of these areas and topics of focus have been more impactful than others: the conversation around them going beyond a day dedicated to celebrating the law and the freedom it provides citizens from oppression.
For example, on Law Day 2011, the ABA celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright. This particular case was hugely important to the establishment of legal counsel as a right for all the accused—creating a more just legal system that extended protection to everyone, regardless of social status or financial resources.
On Law Day 2012, the ABA concerned itself with one of the most carefully watched legal issues in recent years: the Affordable Care Act, which was placed front and center. The theme was based on the case United States v. Thomas Moore, and the question of whether Congress had the power to mandate healthcare coverage. Observing the fallout from this case, including the one year delay for employers to provide coverage, has opened the door to a greater legal conversation about healthcare in America, which will be important in the coming years.
The theme for 2013 dealt with a common subject in the news and courts: the search for justice through alternative methods. The theme was "Realizing the Dream: Equality for All," and covered not only the civil rights movement, but also the common experience of the legal system here in America. In varying ways, from state to state, people are punished differently due to a variety of circumstances. The ABA focused on trying to find new ways to provide equality for all through the legal system, from the courtroom to the penal system.
Educational Importance of ABA Law Day
As with the American Bar Association (ABA) Law Day’s deep-seated connection to civic engagement, this unique and celebratory day in the legal community features a wide array of educational initiatives, as well. Both those directly organized by the ABA and those that have materialized at the local level aim to instill a better understanding of our justice system among people of all ages.
The ABA Law Day Resource Center features a number of tailored digital materials that allow users to take an even more active role in Law Day. For those looking to plan or participate in Law Day events such as panels, mock trials, and debates, these materials comprise a useful and integrated educational tool. From ideas for speeches to resources for classroom activities — such as a fact sheet, quiz, and suggested reading lists — the Website is rife with high-quality, well-organized materials. ABA section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar Executive Director Bill Adams explained that these resources constitute a repository for innovative ideas.
"We’ve spent a lot of time over the last few years trying to collect materials on Law Day that were helpful and perhaps innovative," Adams said to LexBlog. "We’re trying to provide the tools so that they raise awareness of access to justice issues and the profession. We’re hoping that through our Law Day efforts, we can use the interest in Law Day to talk about and raise awareness of some of the significant long-term issues of justice in society."
As an organization so fundamental to the administration of justice in the United States, the ABA has taken Law Day as an opportunity to talk about the importance of providing all citizens with equitable access to the justice system. For example, in connection with 2018’s Law Day theme, Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom, the ABA published a webinar titled, "Justice for All: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Bias," which aimed to promote a discussion of how prejudice affects the judicial system and the practice of law.
In an effort to broaden and deepen engagement, the ABA invites its member organizations — sections, committees, and affiliated bar associations — to contribute their own materials for the larger Law Day initiative via the official resource center hub (which was completely revamped recently). Adams said that contributions are filtered through the ABA’s headquarters now, rather than by mail or email, and then uploaded to their system. After a search query, members can find articles and other media that fit their specific interests, and pages can even be sorted by state in order to keep people apprised of what other organizations around the country, including their neighbors, are getting involved with.
Adams added, "It’s an ongoing conversation among the bar and the profession, the students, and the community. It’s not just a day of service, I think it’s a day of communication. It’s sort of a nudge that we’re providing through Law Day to lawmakers and the bar in general that there are injustices that we need to continue to address."
ABA Law Day Participation
Each year, the ABA Law Day Planning Committee encourages the participation of a diverse group of individuals, schools, legal professionals, legal organizations, and legal service providers, among others, in ABA Law Day activities. Participants are encouraged to plan and engage in observances that reflect the law day theme, host an event or activity, or provide a service.
Individuals can contribute by organizing discussions on legal issues, sponsoring community watch parties to view a law day awards ceremony, or providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in moot courts. Community celebrations for law day that feature bar leaders and prominent speakers can raise public awareness of the legal profession. Readers can contact their local, state or federal bar associations or contact public affairs officers of their local courts to discuss ideas for participating in law day.
Schools can participate by planning special assemblies featuring judges, attorneys or mayors; sponsoring a film series highlighting the rule of law; or organizing an essay contest focusing on the law day theme. Law day is an optimal time for classrooms to focus lessons on civics, justice and the importance of the rule of law. Students, particularly high schoolers, can also contribute by getting involved in law day activities and by participating in volunteer service projects. The ABA Law Day Planning Committee is dedicated to developing law day resources to help teachers apply the principles of the theme to their classrooms. Readers can browse the law day resource center for tips on how to plan law day activities.
Legal professionals – including judges, prosecutors, public defenders, members of the media, and election officials – can take part in law day by offering their points of view during a radio or television talk show, appearing on a panel discussion, or writing articles for newspapers or other publications . These speaking opportunities can help involve a wider segment of the public in law day.
Legal organizations can participate in law day by serving as cosponsors of law day celebrations, organizing sessions on civic or lawyer health, or hosting receptions for local special guests. Many state and local bars include law day in their programming calendars. Moreover, a number of law firms engage in pro bono efforts in conjunction with law day. Readers can consult their state or local bar associations to see if they are planning law day events, or they may consider approaching bars, firms and colleagues with ideas for participation.
Organizations and service providers that support legal service delivery, justice system assistance, or corporate responsibility can share their programs, services, tools or other resources that relate to the law day theme or substance.
Law day is an excellent opportunity for participation at any level in the justice system. Readers are encouraged to review past events, plan to observe the event in their home communities, or host an event that reflects the theme. State and local bar associations – as well as various legal organizations and community leaders – are encouraged to place law day on their annual calendars. Both legal and nonlegal audiences are invited to incorporate law day into their annual programming calendars. They should also consider planning pro bono activities to coincide with law day.
Many law day planning resources are available through the ABA Law Day Planning Guide. In addition, readers should check back frequently to obtain more information on how they may participate in law day.
ABA Law Day Impact on Legal Community
The influence of the American Bar Association Law Day is felt throughout the legal community, extending beyond the celebration of the day itself. Observations made at these events have led to significant changes in various areas of law. For example, the promotion of pro bono work and access to justice for all has gained attention during ABA Law Day celebrations over the years. In response to such observations, the legal community has witnessed a shift in the focus of bar associations and legal organizations towards ensuring equal access to justice, leading to new programs and initiatives aimed at addressing the barriers faced by low-income individuals.
Another example of ABA Law Day’s influence can be seen in the heightened awareness around voter protection. During past Law Day events, legal professionals have highlighted the importance of upholding voting rights and preventing voter suppression. Such advocacy efforts have prompted legal organizations to engage in discussions and debates around voting rights, ultimately leading to new proposals for legislative changes within the legal community.
Environmental justice has also been a topic of discussion during ABA Law Day, with legal professionals shining a spotlight on the need for a fair distribution of environmental burdens and benefits. As a result of these discussions, the legal community has seen a growing commitment to environmental issues, with organizations taking proactive steps towards advocating for environmental justice in their practices and policies.
Overall, ABA Law Day has had a profound impact on the legal community, leading to changes that reflect the values espoused by legal professionals. Targeted areas of change have included: Education: Many bar associations have implemented new initiatives, scholarships, and programs aimed at improving access to legal education, particularly for underrepresented groups. Pro bono work: The promotion of pro bono work has emphasized the legal community’s commitment to providing access to justice for underprivileged individuals. This has led to many legal professionals engaging in pro bono work. Access to justice: Legal professionals have rallied around the cause of providing equal access to justice for all individuals. Many legal organizations have actively engaged in efforts to ensure that all people have equal access to legal representation. Proffers of services: Proffers of services made during ABA Law Day events have led to many legal organizations stepping up to offer pro bono services and other support to vulnerable groups in society.
Future of ABA Law Day
As we progress into an age where technology continues to reshape our understanding of the law, the future of ABA Law Day is poised for transformation. An increasing trend toward digital engagement sets the stage for a future where law day activities are more accessible than ever. More jurisdictions and organizations will likely embrace the digital format for their events, reaching audiences who may not have otherwise participated.
Beyond digital advances, the future may bring new themes to refresh the annual celebration. For example, exploring the impact and intersection of law with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain could serve as an intriguing focus for coming years. In addition, as the legal profession becomes increasingly diverse, future Law Days could celebrate this diversity by emphasizing themes like equal justice which offer a universal appeal and relevance to the legal community at large.
Law Day’s future may also entail a deeper integration with the newer generation of law students and younger attorneys who grew up with the internet and social media. Their perspective and experience in leveraging new platforms may foster new , innovative ideas on promoting the rule of law and upholding democratic principles.
Lastly, as the social landscape grows more complex, a broadening of the Law Day themes may be necessary to incorporate pressing social issues that may be better served by multiple observances throughout the year. This approach might see the ABA and its partners host related observances in more flexible formats, allowing for community and legal professionals to engage with the law on several occasions each calendar year.
As the world evolves, the mission of ABA Law Day—to promote both public understanding and appreciation of the rule of law—will remain relevant, and will continue to shed light on the many contexts in which the law plays a critical role in everyday life. Over the years, Law Day has served as a tool to emphasize the importance of the rule of law while celebrating the legal professionals who contribute to it daily. As such it is essential that planning for the future of Law Day begins now.