This year’s celebration of Law Day is much different than any we have ever faced. Our justice system and profession face grave risks due to the clear pattern of statements and actions by elected and appointed officials that threaten the rule of law. These include attacks on the judiciary and the legal profession, retaliation against those who disagree with government actions, and efforts to penalize those who seek to eliminate bias in our justice system and profession and enhance diversity. The frequency and intensity of these attacks are escalating. You read about them every day. We have spoken strongly and clearly about these threats.
April 28, 2025 From the American Bar Association
ABA fights for the rule of law
Make no mistake. Our judicial system, profession and the principles we have cherished for 250 years are at risk.
Now the administration has turned its attention to the American Bar Association.
As a result of who we are, what we stand for and the work we do in support of these principles, the government has taken adverse actions against the ABA. Funding for vital longstanding programs approved by Congress and administrations from both political parties has been terminated — some in violation of the terms of the written agreements or contrary to congressional intent; some in apparent retaliation for the ABA’s actions in defending our courts and profession; and some because we have expressed the views of our membership or filed actions in court.
These include the following:
- Our 30-plus years of work training lawyers and judges on the rule of law in more than 100 countries. These efforts strengthen legal institutions to foster respect for human rights and advance public understanding of the law. It is an effort chaired by retired Associate Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
- Our 50-plus-year record of working with FEMA to provide disaster legal assistance to people at their time of need. At any one time, our young lawyers are at work assisting people in multiple federally declared disasters.
- Our 20-plus years of work to enhance fairness and due process in the immigration system for unaccompanied children, adults and families facing proceedings in immigration court as well as training judges and lawyers.
- Our three decades of work at the forefront of improving access to justice for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. We equip attorneys with the skills needed to represent survivors with compassion and expertise while advocating for those most at risk.
As of today, the ABA is a plaintiff in three separate actions seeking relief in the courts for what we believe are wrongful actions by the administration. Details of these cases can be found here.
These are extraordinary times but rest assured, your ABA will continue to stand for the rule of law and to defend our judicial system, our profession and the principles we hold dear. Because if not us, who? And if not now, when? The ABA has chosen to stand, speak and act.
We need you to spread the word in your communities about why the rule of law and access to justice are important and why our profession and the ABA are working to strengthen the pillars that are the foundation of our great country. To access information and resources, join or contribute to the work, please go here.
These events should remind all of us why the American Bar Association is so vital. Encourage others, lawyers and nonlawyers alike, to join with us to preserve the precious gifts we have been given. We need everyone. Thank you for what you do and the difference you make in our association, our profession and our communities. It matters.
– William R. Bay, ABA President