The rule of law is under pressure. As members of the legal profession, we are uniquely positioned to respond. The King County Bar Association’s newest volunteer initiative, the KCBA Civics Stewardship Program, offers attorneys and judges a meaningful opportunity to help the community understand its rights, responsibilities, and the essential role of justice in a democratic society.
A Crisis in Civic Knowledge
Across the country, civic knowledge is in crisis. A 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study1 revealed that more than 70% of Americans fail a basic civic literacy quiz, struggling to identify the three branches of government or explain how laws are made. Only 25% reported feeling “very confident” they could explain how our system of government works.
“As we approach our semiquincentennial in 2026, this report amounts to a five-alarm fire drill for the civic health of the nation,” said Hilary Crow, head of the Chamber Foundation’s Civic Trust®. “While Americans across backgrounds value civic participation in theory, we are sorely lacking in the basic knowledge that translates values into informed, engaged citizenship.”
This decline is part of a troubling trend. A 2022 survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center2 found that only 47% of U.S. adults could name all three branches of government — down from 56% the previous year, marking the first drop since 2016. Meanwhile, public confidence in key institutions remained alarmingly low: According to Gallup’s 2021 survey, only 5% of Americans expressed a “great deal” of confidence in Congress, 13% in the Supreme Court, and 16% in the presidency.
These findings underscore the urgent need for programs that strengthen civic understanding and rebuild trust in our democratic system.
From Reaffirmation to Action
On May 1, 2025, the KCBA, in partnership with the King County Superior Court, hosted a special event inviting attorneys to retake their Oath of Attorney and reaffirm their commitment to “support the Constitution of the State of Washington and the Constitution of the United States” and to “maintain the respect due to the courts of justice and judicial officers.”
Following the event, many participants expressed a desire to do more and to extend that commitment beyond the courtroom. Out of those conversations, the KCBA Civics Stewardship Program was developed.
Help Bring Civic Education to the Community
By becoming a KCBA Civics Steward, attorneys and judges have the opportunity to bring their knowledge and experience directly to the community. This program was created to clarify misconceptions about the justice system, promote meaningful civic dialogue, and restore confidence in the rule of law.
Civics Steward teams, consisting of one attorney and one judge, will visit interested community groups to present the fundamentals of our government. The presentations focus on three key topics:
- The Rule of Law: why it matters and how it protects us all;
- Separation of Powers: how the balance of government functions; and
- Civil Rights: what they are and how they have evolved.
Presentations are flexible and can be tailored for any audience, from classrooms and scout troops to neighborhood associations, civic clubs, or retirement communities. KCBA manages all logistics and provides ready-to-use materials, so volunteers need only contribute their time, insight, and voice.
Now, more than ever, the legal community’s leadership is essential. By joining the KCBA Civics Stewardship Program, you can play a vital role in strengthening civic understanding and protecting the institutions that sustain our democracy. Help ensure that the next generation appreciates what the rule of law truly means and what it takes to preserve it.
To ensure flexibility when KCBA receives a request for a Civics Stewardship presentation, KCBA will reach out to volunteers on a rolling basis, giving team members the option to volunteer as much or as little as desired. To sign up or learn more, visit kcba.org/stewards or contact KCBA Membership at membership@kcba.org. Volunteer before Nov. 13 and we will include you in the kickoff training!
Kathleen Jensen is KCBA’s executive director, and she can be reached by email at kathleenj@kcba.org or phone at 206-267-7053.
1 https://uschamberfoundation.org/civics/new-study-finds-alarming-lack-of-civic-literacy-among-americans
2 https://annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/
many-dont-know-key-facts-about-u-s-constitution-annenberg-civics-study-finds
