Law Day

by Jack R. Johnson 05.2025

Lawyers get a bad rap. From Shakespeare’s immortal phrase in Henry IV  “The first thing we do is, let’s kill all the lawyers,” opined by a character named “Dick the Butcher” no less, to bad lawyer jokes, lawyers have been vilified throughout the ages, and yet, they are a necessary feature to any working Democracy.  This fact was duly recognized nearly 75 years ago when the first official “Law Day” was celebrated during the Eisenhower administration.

Although it has been in effect since 1958, Law Day doesn’t usually receive much attention. Eisenhower established it as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law. May 1st or May Day was picked likely as a hedge against paying tribute to the events of the Haymarket Riot that has become an international recognized symbol of labor rights.  

During Law Day, State Bar Associations hold essay competitions for schoolchildren, and there are state and national dinners most years. In 2025, the theme for Law Day was the “Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One". 

“We brought one great country out of 13 colonies that had many differences,” said ABA President William R. Bay. “It reflected a belief that we could work together. That was the promise of our Constitution, which has really stood the test of time.” Bay added, “We can learn great lessons from what they [The Founding Fathers] did then. They had significant differences, but they put them aside to form one country to be governed by one Constitution. These days we spend so much time talking about what divides us. I believe this is the time to focus on what unites us. It’s hard work but it’s important work.”

National Law Day Chair Tommy Preston, Jr. said the Constitution was a “grand experiment,” and many thought the country would not succeed. “While we're not perfect, there are some key ideals that really has allowed us to continue to grow and prosper over the years: democracy, liberty and justice and opportunity and equality.”

On this year’s Law Day, thousands of lawyers packed Foley Square in Lower Manhattan to reaffirm their oath to the Constitution and stand behind the rule of law. Wielding cowbells and posters, attorneys raised their right hands and re-stated the oath they took when they were first admitted to the bar. Many wore stickers stating “reclaim the flag.” As any lawyer will tell you, their oath is to the Constitution, not a particular party, or person.

“We must put partisanship to the side and strive to work together to protect and maintain the rule of law in this beautiful, multiracial experiment — this democracy — the United States of America,” exhorted Sheila S. Boston, a former NYC Bar Association president and a trial lawyer with Arnold & Porter, who emceed the rally. 

Boston defined the rule of law as the mechanism that “supports the equality of all citizens by the law and  prevents the arbitrary use of power by the government.”

“Most of us probably didn’t think these things could actually happen, at least not in any serious or large-scale way. But we are here because they are happening and we lawyers must be the first responders,” said Adrienne Koch, president of the New York County Lawyers Association.   

Across the country, lawyers organized demonstrations at courthouses in protest of the current administration’s overreach. A website dedicated to the “Law Day of Action,” organized by the nonprofit group Lawyers for Good Government, listed more than 100 such demonstrations.

No matter what your skills or work context, Banks said, every lawyer must consider what they can do to uphold the rule of law in this “break-the-glass” moment. It’s a stressful time for an already stressed out career.

Most folks don’t realize that the legal profession is in the top ten for suicide by occupation, coming in at number eight, according to the Task Force On Lawyer Well-Being. Data collected by the Task Force suggested that roughly 21 to 36 percent of legal professionals were “problem drinkers,” with rates even higher for solo practitioners under the age of 30. Think Paul Newman in the Verdict.

In an effort to ease their stressful career, there’s another day set aside to honor the lawyer in your life, distinct from “Law Day,” named simply: “Be Kind to Lawyers Day.” This is celebrated annually on the second Tuesday of April. There’s also a “Love Your Lawyer Day” celebrated on November 3rd which was created in 2001. The inspiration came from attorney Nader Anise when ALPIA (American Lawyers Public Image Association) had started a campaign of “No Lawyer Bashing or Jokes for a Day.” For just one day, they asked that you set aside the lawyer jokes, the subtle bashing around the water cooler, and remember that “without these legal warriors, people would have no one to help them navigate the complex world of law!” 

On the other hand, I still want to know what the difference is between a dead lawyer and a dead skunk on the road. (Answer: There are skid marks in front of the dead skunk.) So, sue me.