Authoritarianism is on the rise around the world — and the American Bar Association is taking action.
The inaugural ABA Democracy Summit on Friday, Aug. 2 will offer up new strategies for legal professionals to take back to their local communities to promote the rule of law and ensure trust in our election systems.
Will you answer the call?
Leading this mobilization of America’s lawyers are former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Charles Johnson and former federal judge J. Michael Luttig. Together they co-chair the ABA Task Force for American Democracy, which includes leaders from all corners of the nation who have drawn on their diverse backgrounds over the last year to develop practical steps to protect our democracy.
Our democracy is under strain, and there is no more important issue facing our country, they say.
Americans don’t agree on much politically these days, but polls reveal widespread fears about our future. A national poll in March for the ABA Survey of Civic Literacy found that “an eye-opening 74% of U.S. residents say American democracy is weaker than it was five years ago” and a Quinnipiac Poll that same month found 49% of registered voters said democracy is “not working.”
Optimism prevails here. There’s a role for everyone, explained ABA President Mary Smith, who formed the task force as a centerpiece of her term. The summit will explore solutions, from civics education to key techniques in order to “disagree better.”
Recruiting beyond the bar, the call to action involves big names from corporate America, Big Tech, social action groups and more. Among them, former Merck CEO Ken Frazier and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina kick off the summit with PBS senior correspondent Judy Woodruff at a ticketed luncheon to rally volunteers.
RELATED OFFERINGS
July 31
· “Lawyers Saving Democracy: The Roles Lawyers Can Play in the Election Process,” CLE in the City, 190 N. Clark Street
Aug. 1
· “Safeguarding Public Officials: Protecting Judges, Civil Servants, and the Rule of Law,” Hyatt Regency Chicago, 8:30 a.m.
Aug. 3
· “Ensuring Trust in Our Institutions,” Swissotel, 10:15 a.m.
· “Perfecting Democracy: Young Lawyers Roles in the Upcoming Election,” Hyatt Regency Chicago, 2 p.m.