In recognition of the nation’s annual Law Day celebration on Monday, May 1, the American Bar Association will sponsor programming in Washington, D.C., and encourage national celebrations that highlight the rule of law. 

“The 14^th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy” is the theme of this year’s Law Day, and will be the subject of three public events in the nation’s capital: The 15^th Annual Leon Jaworski Public Program and A Law Day conversation with the D.C. Courts on May 1, and the “Dialogue on the 14th Amendment” program for high school students on May 2.

“The law is absolutely vital to our democracy,” ABA President Linda A. Klein said.  “Today, when it seems that we are a nation divided, there is one thing we can all agree on — treating every American equally under the rule of law. It’s what binds this nation together.”

A calendar of Law Day activities around the nation is here.

Events in Washington, D.C.

Monday, May 1
12:30–2 p.m.

“A Law Day Conversation with the D.C. Courts,” — A live question-and-answer session on this year’s Law Day theme, “The 14^th Amendment – Transforming American Democracy.”

To watch live via video stream, go to: www.dccourts.gov/LawDayQA

The general public may submit questions in advance to LawDay@dcsc.gov or via Twitter @DC_Courts with #LawDayQA

Location:
Ceremonial Courtroom, Historic Courthouse
430 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Speakers:

• Linda A. Klein, president, American Bar Association.; 
• Chief Judge Anna Blackburn-Rigsby, D.C. Court of Appeals; 
• Chief Judge Robert E. Morin, D.C. Superior Court; and 
• Annamaria Steward, president, D.C. Bar.

Monday, May 1
5:30–7:15 p.m. (Reception: 4:30 p.m.)

The Leon Jaworski Public Program — Panelists will discuss the role of the 14^th Amendment in transforming American democracy. This event is sponsored by the ABA Division for Public Education and is open to the public. ABA President Linda A. Klein will preside.         

Location:
Jones Day
300 New Jersey Ave. NW
Washington, D.C., 20001

Moderator:
Jeffrey Rosen, president and chief executive officer of the National Constitution Center and professor at George Washington University Law School.

Speakers:

• Laura Edwards, history professor, Duke University and Fellows Research Chair for the American Bar Foundation; 
• Roger L. Gregory, chief judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; 
• Daniel R. Ortiz, law professor and director, Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at University of Virginia School of Law; and 
• Michael Tigar, professor emeritus, American University Washington College of Law and Duke Law School.

Tuesday, May 2
9–10:30 a.m.

“Dialogue on the 14^th Amendment” — Nearly 150 high school students from around the nation will discuss the central role the 14^th Amendment has played in maintaining the rights of all citizens. Discussion topics include: equal protection, incorporation, equality and liberty, as well as the current challenges facing the amendment and the actions that are needed to give more meaning to it.

Students will tweet live from the program by using the National Law Day 2017 events hashtag, #ABALawDay.

This event is sponsored by the ABA Division for Public Education in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates and inspires young people to become informed and engaged citizens. Participants also will post photos on Instagram, using hashtag #ABALawDay.

Location: T
The United States Navy Memorial
Naval Heritage Center auditorium
701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

Featured speakers:

• ABA President Linda Klein, 
• Standing Committee on Silver Gavel Awards member Aggie Alvez; and
• ABA Standing Committee on Public Education Chair Harry Johnson.