Our work
To fulfill our mission of educating, mobilizing, and inspiring our network, the Task Force will focus on the following tactics:
Galvanize volunteer attorneys as defenders of democracy
When government power is abused, lawyers are often the last line of defense. We’re recruiting a national network of pro bono attorneys to represent public servants, journalists, nonprofits and others targeted for upholding democratic values.
Equip lawyers as educators and rule of law advocates
Lawyers are uniquely positioned to explain how the legal system protects individual liberties, freedom of the press, public safety, and economic stability. We provide attorneys and bar associations with toolkits, training, and support to speak about the rule of law and our democracy—at town halls and local events, in classrooms and client briefings, as social media amplifiers and writing op-eds. We help the legal profession use plain, powerful language to explain how threats to equal treatment under the law impact Americans in their daily lives.
Ensure freedom of the press and uphold the First Amendment
Unprecedented attacks on press freedoms could make our democracy dysfunctional as dissent, accurate information and administration accountability are stifled. We raise public awareness about these threats through webinars, in-person events, and public campaigns. We educate journalists on how to identify threats to their legal rights, and how to understand and navigate the courts when covering democracy and the rule of law. We connect pro bono lawyers to newsrooms facing intimidation, censorship or other government overreach as well as supporting local media outlets with free legal help from volunteer lawyers for day-to-day needs like contracts, employment, and public records access.
Engage attorneys and bar associations as community bridge builders
With our country so divided, it’s also critical to build bridges across ideological divides. We train lawyers to be community leaders, able to convene and lead conversations across differing perspectives. We’ve developed a step-by-step Community Dialogue Guide to help lawyers and bar associations host town halls and forums that foster understanding, rebuild trust, and promote civic respect. These events create space for neighbors to share concerns, ask questions and re-engage with our democracy. We’re currently piloting this model in several states, with plans to scale nationwide.
Protect the independence and integrity of the judiciary
A fair and impartial judiciary is essential to a functioning democracy, ensuring that laws, rather than politics, determine the outcome of disputes. Yet judges across the country increasingly face intimidation, politicized attacks, and efforts to undermine public confidence in the courts. We work to educate the public on the vital role of an independent judiciary, mobilize lawyers to defend judges and the judicial process from unfair assaults, and engage bar associations in coordinated responses that uphold judicial independence. Through public education, strategic communications, and pro bono legal support, we aim to strengthen respect for the courts as a cornerstone of the rule of law.
