As May arrives, it brings not only the flowers promised by April’s showers, but also hints of our upcoming summer. This month also brings us Law Day on May 1st, a time to educate youth and adults across the country. It is also a day to celebrate and recognize the importance of the rule of law for a stable and just society.
Envisioned by the American Bar Association and established in 1958, Law Day is intended as a national day of dedication to the principles of government under the law. Its purpose is to educate people about their legal rights and responsibilities, the role of the judiciary, and the importance of the rule of law in democratic governance. It’s intended to foster a deeper understanding of the legal mechanisms that protect the freedoms of American citizens and ensure justice. This annual observance provides an opportunity for legal professionals, educators, and civic leaders to engage with the public on these fundamental concepts, often through events, discussions, and educational outreach.
This year’s theme is “Voices of Democracy”, and the King County Bar Association will celebrate by partnering with four local courthouses for Law Day programs with middle and high school students. The four events will be held on May 6th (SeaTac Municipal Courthouse), May 10th (Redmond District Courthouse), May 17th (Maleng Regional Justice Center), and May 24th (Seattle Municipal Courthouse). The programs will consist of mock trials and education about civics and the legal profession.
This year’s focus is particularly relevant as it invites us as legal professionals to reflect on our vital role in safeguarding the judicial system and upholding democratic values. As lawyers, we recognize that the courts are a foundational element of our democracy, especially crucial when voting rights and the integrity of election results come under attack. The courts’ role in these instances is not merely procedural but pivotal in protecting democratic principles.
Recent trends in our political landscape, unfortunately, show a shift from respecting and valuing the judiciary to increasingly attacking and questioning its legitimacy.
In April, I attended an event hosted by the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington and the American Board of Trial Advocates that celebrated the careers of our Senior U.S. District Court Judges for the Western District of Washington. Judges Bryan, Zilly, Lasnik, Pechman, Martinez, Robart, Settle and Jones engaged in a compelling panel discussion, sharing insights from their notable cases, career milestones, and some of the challenges they faced. This event heightened my appreciation for the profound sacrifices these judges have made to serve our judicial system and community. Their commitment was particularly evident as senior judges, who managed full caseloads to ensure the smooth operation of our courts during a critical shortage of District Court judges even when not required to do so. The panel also discussed the unprecedented threats to our local judiciary, including the threats to Judge Robart and his family following his February 2017 ruling that temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s executive order on immigration, also known as the first “Muslim travel ban.”
Mike Wampold, a KCBA member, recently shared with me an issue of the International Society of Barristers’s quarterly publication, which featured an article by Timothy Tomasik called Judicial Security: The Judicial System is Blinking Red. The article notes that a recent poll by the National Judicial College found that 71% of judges have received inappropriate communications related to their roles and that 56% of judges have reported receiving threats. It discusses how social media has been weaponized to uncover personal details about judges, such as their home addresses or their children’s schools, fostering a toxic online environment that encourages threats and even physical violence. Tomasik concludes — and I concur — that law enforcement at all levels, along with the judicial system, must treat this threat with the utmost seriousness and adopt measures to prevent extremists from accessing and disseminating judges’ and court staffs’ private information. As legal professionals, we must actively resist any normalization of verbal or physical threats against the judiciary.
Historically, efforts to undermine the legitimacy of the courts have often preceded broader attempts to erode justice and democracy itself. It is our duty and responsibility to counteract these trends by reinforcing the judiciary’s role and ensuring it remains a respected cornerstone of our society. We must also keep its members safe. This defense of judicial integrity is essential not just for the legal community but for maintaining the very fabric of a democratic and just society. The KCBA is steadfast in its commitment to uphold and protect these principles.
