This Labor Day, we honor the contributions of workers who power our communities and reflect on the work still ahead. As attorneys, we understand that every profession plays a vital role in the fabric of our daily lives – from educators and healthcare providers to small business employees and essential service workers. Their dedication, skill, and resilience remind us why this holiday is more than a long weekend. It is a call to recognize the dignity of work itself.

At the Alameda County Bar Association, we know that justice does not stop at the courthouse doors. The values we champion in the legal system – fairness, dignity, and equity – are just as essential in the workplace. Workers deserve safe conditions, fair pay, protection from harassment and discrimination, and a voice in shaping the environments where they spend so much of their lives. These are not abstract ideals, but fundamental rights rooted in the rule of law. The laws that protect workers exist because our legal system recognizes that fairness and accountability must extend into every aspect of society.

Labor Day also reminds us of the progress made through decades of advocacy and struggle. Many of the rights we take for granted, such as the 40-hour workweek, overtime pay, and protections against child labor, were hard-won victories secured through both social movements and legal reforms. Yet challenges remain. From wage theft and unsafe conditions to inequities faced by immigrant workers and workers of color, there is still work to be done to ensure that the rule of law continues to safeguard justice in every workplace.

As attorneys, advocates, and community members, we each have a role to play. For some, it may mean representing clients in employment disputes or advising employers on compliance and equity. For others, it may mean volunteering time putting together educational opportunities for fellow attorneys, supporting pro bono services, or speaking up when injustice occurs. No matter the form, every effort helps strengthen the rule of law and move us closer to a society where workers’ rights are fully respected.

Today we celebrate workers, and we recommit to serving our clients and community with the same values. Let us use this holiday as a reminder to continue building workplaces and a justice system that are fairer and more equitable for all.

Please note that the Alameda County Bar Association, our Lawyer Referral Service, Legal Access Alameda, and the Alameda County Superior Court will be closed Monday September 1, 2025 in honor of Labor Day.