Law Day

All around the nation we celebrate "Law Day" on the first day of May. The American Bar Association this year as part of Law Day chose to celebrate the American Jury System. In Illinois the Illinois State Bar Association and many local bar associations hosted their annual phone-a-lawyer. During Law Day, anyone can call and ask an attorney for advice on several subjects including family, consumer issues, employment matters, social security, housing and other civil matters.

Law Day's History: Law Day began in 1958 to celebrate our nation's rule of law as opposed to the Soviet Union's rule of force. The threat of communism was at its height and Charles Rhyne, the president of the American Bar Association, wanted to contrast our rich constitutional heritage with the May day parade of new weapons touted by the Soviets.

Law Day's Hurdle: Law Day was the right idea at the right time, but it had one problem: it was created by lawyers. "What do you call 500 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?" "A good start!" Well public opinion wasn't any better in the 50's. President Eisenhower's chief of staff - Sherman Adams - told Mr. Rhyne "the President will not sign a proclomation praising lawyers!" So Mr. Rhyne took the proclamation directly to Eisenhower who recognized the proclamation was not about lawyers but about the importance of the rule of law and he signed it.

Law Day's Heritage: The typical Law Day observance over the years has had less to do with substituting an international rule of law for military force, and more to do with providing wills for seniors and legal representation for low income tenants facing eviction. In the word's of Law Day's founder, "These are laudable pro bono activities—ones in which lawyers should be engaged more than once a year." The current goals of Law Day are not so different than the original goals. Equal access to justice for all citizens is the noblest foundation for democracy. The pillar of communism crumbled because ordinary citizens demanded justice. George Washington was aware of this when he proclaimed: "The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government."

Law Day's Horizon: Law Day is an excellent reminder of the need to help the weakest and least powerful of our citizens. Our nation's future strength will be measured not by might but by right! A recent study on the needs of low income Illinoisans demonstrates we have a long way to go toward making equal access to justice a reality for all. The need for organizations like Administer Justice has never been greater and all our citizens should join together in supporting the efforts of such organizations which labor tirelessly and often in relative obscurity to make our nation great by intervening on behalf of those who are most in need!

COMMENTS? For more information about Administer Justice visit our website at www.administerjustice.org