WASHINGTON, April 21, 2023 — The American Bar Association will host various events through early May to mark Law Day 2023 that address the theme, “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration.” May 1 is designated as the official Law Day.
“In recent years, the tensions and divisions in American society have been aggravated by incivility in public discourse and a lack of understanding among many people about the Constitution and the way American government works,” ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross said. “Together, however, we can collaborate to overcome our differences, resolve our disputes, and preserve our democracy and republic. This Law Day, we all need to recommit to civics, civility and collaboration – the Cornerstones of Democracy.”
The programs include:
Friday, April 21
Virtual Law Day 2023 Conversation with ABA President Deborah Enix-Ross and Law Librarian of Congress Aslihan Bulut. To view the recorded event, click here.
Wednesday, April 26, 12-1 p.m. EDT
Virtual Law Day Chat with Law Day National Chair Sharon Stern Gerstman and Juan Thomas, chair of the ABA Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, who will discuss the 2023 Law Day theme. To view the chat, click here.
Thursday, April 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m. EDT
The American Bar Association will present results from the fifth ABA Survey of Civic Literacy during a live online event. The survey measures the American public’s civics knowledge as well as their views on a range of topical issues. This year’s results include the public’s knowledge of how government works and what people think about civility in society and collaboration among political leaders on issues such as Social Security, gun rights and reproductive rights.
Enix-Ross will moderate the online program, and a panel of experts will discuss the survey results. Panelists include Donna Hicks, an associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University and author of “Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People;” Eugene Meyer, president and CEO of the Federalist Society, an organization of lawyers, law students, scholars and others who believe citizens can make the best choices for themselves and society; and Judge Adrienne C. Nelson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and chair of the ABA Cornerstones of Democracy Commission. The public can register here.
Thursday, April 27, 3-4:30 p.m. EDT
Virtual program: Civics, Civility and Collaboration in Democracy: What We Can Learn from Other Countries. Enix-Ross will participate in a panel discussion on civility and collaboration in policymaking with two foreign law specialists from the Law Library of Congress: Kayahan Cantekin, a foreign law specialist specializing in the laws of Turkic speaking jurisdictions, Greece and Cyprus, and Ruth Levush, senior foreign law specialist at the law library’s Global Legal Research Center, specializing in Israeli domestic law, comparative law and international law. Nick Allard, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Law Library of Congress, will moderate the discussion. To register for the program, click here.
Friday, April 28, 1 p.m. EDT
Take a virtual tour of the National Constitution Center through the program, Learning More About the U.S. Supreme Court. Registration for the tour is available here.
Monday, May 1 at various times/ nonpublic events
Peer-to-Peer Exchanges with ABA Members and National Constitution Center (Virtual) Sessions involve high school classes from across the country in conversation with ABA members on specific topics. There are six sessions planned between 8:30 a.m.— 3:30 p.m. EDT.
Friday, May 5, 1 pm EDT
Law Day Scholar Exchange at National Constitution Center (Virtual) Live Class on Fourth Amendment with Clark Neily
Enix-Ross will open the program. Sponsored by the National Constitution Center, the event is open to the general public and will be a conversation between NCC CEO Jeff Rosen and Clark Neily of the Cato Institute. Click here to register for the event.
“We are so excited to have partnered with both the Law Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to offer several programs that members of the profession and members of the public can join,” said Sharon Gerstman, National Law Day chair. “We are particularly excited about reaching students in several of our programs with the Constitution Center. Law Day is for everyone.”
All events are free and open to members of the media and the public, but registration is required. For media credentialing, contact Betsy Adeboyejo at (202) 662-1039 or [email protected].
The ABA provides resources for schools, state and local bar associations, civic organizations and others who are planning programs and activities for public audiences to discuss the theme either live or virtually. To view various resources and upcoming programs, go to www.lawday.org.
To view Enix-Ross’s Law Day video message, click here.
To view the Law Day launch program, click here.
About Law Day
Envisioned in 1957 by then-ABA President Charles S. Rhyne as a national day to recognize the country’s commitment to the rule of law, Law Day was established by President Dwight Eisenhower the following year. Congress issued a joint resolution in 1961 designating May 1 as the official Law Day. Many civic groups and bar associations celebrate with programs, presentations and events. Visit the ABA’s Law Day website (LawDay.org) for Law Day resources.
Law Day is sponsored by the ABA Division for Public Education, whose mission is to promote public understanding of law and its role in society.
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.