Law Day is an annual commemoration held on May 1st to celebrate the rule of law. President Dwight Eisenhower established Law Day in 1958 as a national observance to the rule of law. Regardless of your political affiliation the rule of law must be defended. Lawyers serve justice, not political interests.

 The Rule of law represents the equality of all people before the law and a legal system to which all persons have meaningful access.

A judge’s role is to interpret and apply the law. Judicial independence is essential. An independent judiciary ensures fair and impartial justice, protects individual rights, and prevents the abuse of power by other branches of government. 

There are occasions when people disagree with a judge’s ruling. If a judge makes an error our judicial system has ways to review a judges’ decision. A party can file an appeal to the Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court. Everyone has the right to disagree with a court’s decision but attacks on a judge’s legitimacy or threats of retaliation due to an unfavorable ruling creates public mistrust of the judiciary and weakens the rule of law which is a core foundation of our democracy.

The Akron Bar Association opposes any action that undermines an independent judiciary and believes that all branches of government must follow the rule of law. Judges must never be threatened or intimidated for decisions they render in cases. Lawyers and law firms must not be retaliated against when advocating claims or defenses on behalf of any person or cause, even when the person or cause may be difficult or controversial. All people must be treated equally under the law.

The Akron Bar Association works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, educates the public in law-related issues, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public confidence in the rule of law.