On May 1, 2025, legal professionals, students, and community leaders will gather at federal courthouses at Noon across the country for the National Law Day of Action – including here in Oakland, San Francisco, and Santa Clara. This grassroots effort brings together bar associations, nonprofit legal organizations, and thousands of attorneys to reaffirm one core belief: the rule of law matters.
In Oakland we will gather at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Courthouse at Noon and have a short speaking program and Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Smith will lead us in the attorney oath, reaffirming our commitment to the rule of law.
The Alameda County Bar Association (ACBA) is proud to support this national movement and invites our members to join us in standing up for a legal system that is fair, independent, and accessible to all.
A National Call to Action
The Law Day of Action was born out of a shared urgency to protect the foundational values of our profession at a time when the rule of law is being questioned and, in some cases, directly undermined. This day of peaceful, non-partisan assembly calls on the legal community to be visible, vocal, and unified in its commitment to the principles that make our democracy strong.
Participation in the Law Day of Action means endorsing five Core Principles:
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Upholding the Rule of Law
The rule of law is the bedrock of our democracy — it ensures that no one is above the law and that laws are applied equally. As lawyers, we are guardians of this principle and must speak out when it is threatened. -
Defending Judicial Independence
An impartial judiciary is essential to a functioning democracy. Judges must be free to decide cases based on the law and facts, without political pressure or personal intimidation. -
Protecting the Independence of the Legal Profession
Attorneys must be able to advocate zealously and ethically for their clients without fear of retaliation or interference. The independence of the legal profession is fundamental to justice and due process. -
Non-Partisan and Non-Violent Action
The Law Day of Action is peaceful and non-partisan. It is a space for lawyers to speak not on behalf of political parties or ideologies, but on behalf of the law itself — and to do so with integrity, professionalism, and unity. -
Promoting Public Understanding
We have a duty not only to practice law, but to help the public understand it. By showing up in community spaces and speaking about these values, we foster trust and educate others about the critical role of law in everyday life.
Why It Matters
At a time when the independence of courts is questioned, when legal professionals are harassed for doing their jobs, and when misinformation clouds the public’s understanding of the law, we must not be silent. The Law Day of Action is not about politics — it is about principle.
It is also a reminder that lawyers are not only practitioners of the law but also stewards of justice. We cannot take that responsibility lightly.
How You Can Participate in Law Day of Action Events
Join us in Oakland, San Francisco, or Santa Clara on May 1 at noon. Volunteer to help at the event, share the message with your networks, and be part of a unified legal community that shows up for what’s right.
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Together, we can stand for the rule of law — and for the values that underpin it.
For more information or to sign your organization on as a co-sponsor, email Jean Hyams at jean@vinickhyams.com or Valerie Lescroart at valerie@acbanet.org, or visit lawdayofaction.org. To learn more about what the ACBA is doing to support the rule of law, please visit our website.