Get involved
An Urgent Call to Action for Legal Professionals
The integrity of American democracy depends on public trust in our elections and institutions. Yet, misinformation, polarization, and attacks on the rule of law have put that trust at risk. The legal community has a unique role in addressing these threats, not just in the courtroom but in communities across the country.
What Bars and Lawyer Organizations Have Done to Stand Up for the Rule of Law
The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association launched the “I Took an Oath” project:
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They sourced over 50 articles about the Rule of Law from lawyers, judges, politicians, community leaders, law students, and business leaders throughout the Cleveland community
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The articles were printed in the May/June issue of the CMBA Journal with nearly 10,000 copies being distributed around the Cleveland region
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The project covered by several local media outlets, growing the visibility of the bar with the public
The May/June 2025 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal containing the articles can be viewed here.
For more information on CMBA activities, contact cschmitt@clemetrobar.org
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The Colorado Bar Association (a voluntary association) has established a Rule of Law Task Force charged with developing public facing programs to support the rule of law. This Task Force developed a Rule of Law Video Contest open to Colorado high school students. It involved students making a 30-60 second video that explains an essential rule of law principle, chosen from the following:
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Laws apply equally to all people
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Judges make decisions based on law and facts, not political or other outside influences
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Everyone has a right to legal representation and fair treatment in our justice system
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How the three branches of government check and balance each other’s power
Students were provided creative freedom to make their video their way. Selection criteria included message clarity and educational impact. The competition awarded prizes, featured winners on the CBA’s website and other publications. The CBA is planning the next competition to engage college students. The winning high school video submission can be viewed here.
For more information on CBA activities, contact liz@anm-law.com
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The State Bar of Montana (a mandatory bar association) cites the Preamble to the Montana Rules of Professional Conduct as well as the State Bar’s own Purposes as set forth in its Constitution as the starting point for their work. Consistent with a lawyer’s role as a defender of the constitution system an explicit, governing principle of their professional responsibility, SBMT has launched the following programs:
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Citizen’s Law School – This free program is designed to bridge the gap between the legal profession and the public, fostering better understanding of the law and promoting civic engagement. Information on the program can be found here.
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Law School for Legislators – This lawyer led educational program is offered to legislators every other year. It is designed to help newly elected state legislators transition into their public obligations by providing them with education on important issues relevant to fulfilling their obligations as representatives of their communities. Information on the program can be found here.
For more information on SBMT activities, contact jmudd@montanabar.org
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The New York City Bar Association (a voluntary organization) has established three different entities to support the rule of law and the Constitution:
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Rule of Law Task Force: This Task Force focuses on domestic and international issues, including national security, those related to U.S. Constitution and treaty obligations, and the question of norms vs. laws. The Task Force maintains a dedicated webpage of its activities, reports and other materials.
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Civic Education Committee: This Committee focuses on ways in which lawyers, judges and other legal professionals can help increase public understanding of the importance of the rule of law and democratic principles of government. The Committee maintains a dedicated webpage on its work.
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Rule of Law Working Group: This Working Group is developing a campaign to educate the public on the importance of the rule of law and the threats that the rule of law is facing in our country. This campaign will amplify the work of the Rule of Law Task Force, Civic Education Committee and other NYC Bar Association committees.
For more information on NYC Bar activities, contact bret_parker@nycbar.org
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The Pepper Center for Public Service is an organization under the auspices of the Trautman Pepper law firm that draws on the firm’s retired partners and senior attorneys to wrestle with tough problems facing the communities the law firm serves. The Pepper Center is current working on a nationwide, free series of CLE Programs tentatively titled “Talking to Your Aunt Jenny” with the goal of refreshing lawyer’s knowledge of key legal issues arising today and training them on how to talk to a lay audience (e.g., their “Aunty Jenny”) about them. Friends, families and community members generally trust lawyers they know to educate them on the law and the facts, which is critical given reliable, trusted sources can be scant in today’s world. In particular, the program will:
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Refresh lawyers’ knowledge of the legal landscape around legal issues in the news today, whether it is election law, birthright citizenship, separation of powers, First Amendment, Fifth Amendment, immigration, etc.
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With the help of communications experts, teach lawyers tips and tricks on how best to discuss these issues with family, friends and members of the community who aren’t legally trained such that those individuals can quickly grasp and understand the issue and its import. This will involve ole played discussions with a hypothetical lay person (e.g., Aunt Jenny) will model effective, simple ways to communicate these important legal issues
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The WSBA (a mandatory bar association) is currently running two statewide rule of law programs:
Rule of Law Ambassador Program – As stated in the Washington State Rules of Professional Conduct Preamble “[A] lawyer should further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.” The WSBA Ambassador Program is designed to help legal professionals carry out these duties—to educate and inform their communities about the rule of law in a way that builds connections and, ultimately, trust. Any member of the WSBA may volunteer to serve as a Rule of Law Ambassador in their community. Program components include:
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Rule of Law Ambassador Tool Kit. This tool kit is designed to refresh a lawyer’s understanding of the Rule of Law, to help them spread accurate and digestible information about the legal system, and to demonstrate a nonpartisan commitment to civic discourse.
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Speak Up for Justice Washington CLE Events. In partnership with county bar associations, the WSBA hosts events around the state to empower local legal communities to combat the growing violence and violent rhetoric threatening the judiciary. These sessions feature judges who share their personal experiences and include resources for local legal professionals to speak up in their community about the rule of law and the role of the judiciary.
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Rule of Law and Constitutional Crises for Lawyer Ambassadors. This free CLE is available on demand and serves as a constitutional law refresher as well as a discussion about what is meant by “rule of law” and “constitutional crisis."
Lawyers in the Classroom – The WSBA’s Lawyers in the Classroom program provides Washington teachers with the opportunity to request that a lawyer visit their K-12 classroom and present age-appropriate lessons about the judicial branch, with a variety of lessons available on different topics and appropriate for different grade levels in the K-12 system. The lessons are interactive and provide students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the judicial system, as well as the basic concept of fairness. Information on the program can be found here and the lesson plans (for elementary, middle and high school) can be found here.
For more information on WSBA activities, contact ambassadors@wsba.org
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Volunteer
Lawyers have a unique ability to defend our nation’s values and protect our democracy. Yet it can be challenging to know where to start. The Task Force for American Democracy partners with local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations to connect volunteer lawyers with opportunities to make a real impact.
Join the Task Force for American Democracy’s Volunteer Attorney Program to help strengthen the foundation of our republic. By volunteering your legal expertise, you can play a direct role in protecting the rule of law. Getting involved is simple: fill out a short intake form, join us for a brief informational call, and we’ll connect you with the Task Force partner best suited for your expertise. Become a volunteer today and use your legal skills to safeguard the foundation of our democracy at a time when it matters most.
Constitution Day
Constitution Day marks the birth of American democracy: when the foundational rules of our rights and freedoms were signed into law. It’s more than history; it’s a call to action. On September 17, join us as we reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and the Rule of Law.
