PBA 2021 Law Day Chalk Art Contest winning entries selected. Thank you to everyone who participated this year!
Law Day is held every May 1 throughout the nation to celebrate the rule of law. It was established in 1958 by President Dwight Eisenhower to mark the nation’s rule of law and codified by Congress in 1961. Law Day underscores how the law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. Law Day also provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in democracy and the importance of jury service to maintaining the integrity of the courts.
Each year, the American Bar Association designates a Law Day theme and provides free resources and materials to assist bar associations and lawyers in planning law day events such as educational community forums, contests, and school visits.
The Law Day theme that the ABA has chosen for 2021 is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.” Information, ideas and resources can be found on the ABA website. The ABA has chosen this theme because, “the rule of law is the bedrock of American rights and liberties—in times of calm and unrest alike. The 2021 Law Day theme — Advancing the Rule of Law, Now — reminds all of us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice.”
Pennsylvania has traditionally commemorated Law Day by focusing on educating children about the rule of law. Through classroom visits by lawyers and judges and an outstanding set of free law-related lesson plans prepared for K-College classrooms, the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Pennsylvania Bar Association and county bar associations across the commonwealth work with schools to educate children about their legal rights and responsibilities in the new millennium. Lawyers can choose to focus on discussing the annual ABA theme, their own experience or and careers, or discussing topics designated by the schools. The free lessons and materials are designed to be informative and engaging for all students.
For Law Day 2021 we all have to make some modifications to how we celebrate, but Law Day still provides Pennsylvania lawyers and judges with a wonderful opportunity to become involved in their local communities. Law Day is funded by the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation.