Upholding the Rule of Law: Why Lawyers Must Embrace Law Day

Every year on May 1st, the United States observes Law Day, a national moment to reflect on the foundations of our democracy. Though not widely celebrated, Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to emphasize the role of law in the preservation of freedom and justice in our society.

In a time when democratic institutions are under sustained pressure and public trust in the legal system is fraying, the message of Law Day has never been more urgent. This year’s theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,” reminds us that our national unity is rooted not in shared identity but in a shared commitment to the rule of law. That commitment transcends political divides and personal interests — it is the foundation on which our constitutional democracy rests.

This year, a growing number of lawyers across the country are marking Law Day by participating in #ReaffirmTheOath, a grassroots, nonpartisan campaign calling on members of the legal profession to publicly renew their oath to support and defend the Constitution. More than a symbolic gesture, this movement reflects a deep concern over the erosion of legal norms and the rising threats to our justice system.

In recent years, we have seen dangerous attempts to undermine the independence of the judiciary, bypass due process, and intimidate judges, lawyers, and election officials. We’ve seen legal professionals targeted for simply fulfilling their duty to uphold the law. These attacks are not abstract — they strike at the heart of a functioning democracy. The rule of law only works if we defend it, and that defense must begin within our own profession.

The lawyer’s oath is a powerful promise — not just to our clients or our colleagues, but to the Constitution itself and to every person who depends on it for protection. In every state, admission to the bar is accompanied by a vow to uphold the laws of the land and the principles of justice. That oath becomes especially meaningful in moments when those very principles are tested.

By reaffirming that oath publicly, we make it clear: lawyers are not passive observers. We are guardians of a legal system that must remain fair, impartial, and resistant to the whims of politics or power. And we are united in our refusal to allow that system to be manipulated or dismantled.

But to safeguard the rule of law, we must do more than respond to immediate threats. We must address the longer-term crisis of civic disengagement. Many Americans lack a fundamental understanding of the Constitution, the legal system, and its protections. Too often, democracy is taken for granted as if it were permanent and unshakable. It is not. It survives only through the active participation and vigilance of its citizens.

Lawyers have a special role to play in reconnecting our communities to the principles of democracy. Through education, outreach, and public engagement, we can help illuminate how the rule of law touches every part of our lives and why it must be protected. Law Day and #ReaffirmTheOath offer a chance to do just that: to recommit ourselves not only in word, but in action.

This is a critical moment. The rule of law is not self-sustaining. It requires champions. It requires courage. And it requires lawyers, now more than ever, to lead with integrity, speak out against injustice, and model the values we were sworn to uphold.

On May 1st, let’s take that step together. Let’s reaffirm our oath. Let’s defend the Constitution, protect the courts, and stand united for the rule of law.

Cheryl Niro, Illinois State Bar Association President (1999–2000), and Mary Smith, American Bar Association President (2023–2024), are Illinois attorneys affiliated with Checks & Balances, a national sponsor of lawdayofaction.org.