A Law Day to Remember

Every day is a good day to celebrate the Rule of Law.  But this past Thursday—Law Day—was an extra special one. That day, I stood, raised my right hand, and renewed my attorney oath, alongside hundreds of my colleagues, to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California, to faithfully discharge the duties of an attorney to the best of my knowledge and ability, and to conduct myself at all times with dignity, courtesy and integrity.  I was filled with pride and purpose when I took this oath nearly 8 years ago.  I am filled with pride and purpose now.

Chief Judge Bashant delivering the keynote address to over 250 members of the legal community.

Before our Chief Judge administered our oath renewal, I had the privilege of delivering brief remarks about the critical role attorneys play in upholding the independence of the judiciary and the Rule of Law.  I also shared the hope that our Law Day celebration would spark discussions among the larger community about our judicial system and the Rule of Law.

To that end, I do my part.

Proclaimed by President Eisenhower in 1958, we celebrate Law Day each year on May 1 to reflect on the importance of the Rule of Law to our democratic way of life.  Admittedly, the principle can be hard to define.  But it's easy to think about what the Rule of Law is, when you imagine what life would be without it.  Or, perhaps, when you compare it to the alternative: to be ruled by an individual or might alone.

Our Founders considered these things when they drafted our Constitution.  To ensure a balance of power, we have three separate, coequal branches of government: the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judiciary.  As our Chief Judge shared in her Law Day remarks, our government stands on this three-legged stool.  Without the judiciary, our democracy topples.  

Our Founders considered this too.  That is why, under the Constitution, federal judges—regardless of which president appointed them—have lifetime appointments.  This allows them to decide the cases before them without regard for political pressure.  Their sole duty is to faithfully and impartially interpret the law and how it applies to a given case, and that alone.  And if a losing party disagrees with a judge's ruling, they have the right to appeal to a higher court, and ultimately, to the Supreme Court.  This is how our judicial system works.  And because judges cannot speak or comment about their cases or decisions, they must rely on attorneys and an informed public to defend against efforts to undermine the judiciary.  For if we allow our judiciary to fall, so too our freedom under the Rule of Law goes.

From left to right: Clerk of Court John Morrill, Chief Judge Cynthia Bashant, SD FBA President Kim Gregg, and SDCBA President Michelle Gastil.

I could not be prouder to have represented the San Diego Federal Bar Association in partnership with Michelle Gastil and the San Diego County Bar Association and various community partners as we stand united in our support for the Rule of Law on Law Day, and every day.