On the Ground for National Law Day of Action 2025

On April 25, twenty-eight past presidents of our bar association issued an impassioned call to action to “Defend the Rule of Law.” In their press release they cited and condemned recent orders and sanctions from the U.S. Executive Branch that were “retaliatory, unconstitutional, and dangerously authoritarian,” including “suspending security clearances, canceling contracts, banning lawyers from federal employment, and denying them access to federal buildings, including courthouses” as well as “openly flouting court orders.” Attorneys and judges were “being punished simply for doing their jobs,” they wrote. Furthermore, these actions “triggered a constitutional crisis—one in which the executive branch seeks to place itself above judicial authority and beyond constitutional limits.”

“The Rule of Law is not a slogan,” the past presidents wrote, “it is the backbone of American democracy,” and this became the rallying cry for Law Day 2025 on May 1, rebranded as National Law Day of Action. It was time to take a stand. And I did not hesitate when I was invited to join over 10,000 judges, lawyers, law students, legal professionals, and their supporters at events across the country.

“Law Day is typically a time for reflection in the importance of the rule of law in our system of government, in our democracy,” Charles Jung, of Nassiri & Jung and BASF’s current president, explained in an April 30 interview with Natalia Navarro for KQED. But this year was different. “This moment is unique in that the judiciary is the last bulwark against an overreaching executive branch. If we feel all alone facing these threats, then our system is imperiled.”

Jung had recognized an opportunity to bring people together to support the rule of law. “It was all Charles Jung’s idea,” said David Coy, BASF’s Communications Manager, “it was his vision to hold the San Francisco rally and engage bar associations across the country.” Jung personally made “dozens, if not hundreds” of cold calls, emails, and Zooms to engage with bar association presidents and executive directors, and leaders of civil rights and grassroots organizations. Word quickly spread, and soon BASF connected with groups including the American Bar Association (ABA), Lawyers Defending American Democracy, and Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG).

Based in Washington DC, L4GG already had something in the works when they learned of BASF’s plans. “We have an incredible community of 125,000 lawyers, nationwide,” said Sterling Howard, Vice President of Development and Engagement, and they were already hearing from members looking to hold events in their cities. The decision to join forces with BASF to coordinate parallel efforts was a no-brainer. L4GG had the broader community access, BASF offered inspired leadership, as well as branding and posters created by BASF’s team. “This was much bigger than any one group,” Howard said. “I added up all the bar associations and legal affiliation groups [that participated]—over 150!” She noted most of these organizations had never come together before, but they were eager to now. “That, to me, is huge,” she said. This grassroots coalition demonstrated “the unifying of the legal profession in one voice.”

Bar associations, law firms and individuals attended rallies held in 50 cities. About 600 people attended L4GG’s event outside the US Supreme Court. The crowd was so large, it extended beyond the free speech area. (See videos from the DC gathering in the sidebar.)

And in San Francisco, over 1,200 people showed up at Phillip Burton Federal Building Plaza.

Before the presentation, I asked people* why they were there, why had they taken time out of their busy schedules to participate. “To defend the rule of law” was an oft-repeated response. From people of all ages I heard “For awareness, visibility, solidarity.” When I asked a small group of young attorneys what they hoped to achieve through this event, they chimed in with “To protect democracy…to show that people care…to show the administration we’re not scared…to defend the integrity of our occupation.” The description steadfast—firm in their belief, determined—felt apt to me.

Hand-drawn and professionally printed signs reflected people’s concerns and hopes. I saw “I <heart> the Constitution,” “No retaliation for representation,” and “Don’t bend the knee!” I stopped to consider the meaning behind a reference to Marbury v. Madison (1803). As I am not an attorney, I asked the sign holder to explain it to me in plain English. “The judicial department says what the law is,” she said. “It’s considered one of the foundations of US constitutional law.”

Two of the signs that epitomized the day’s message read “In America, the Law is King” and “One more lawyer who won’t kiss the ring.” But the one that stopped me in my tracks read “They will ask ‘Where were the lawyers? Where were the judges?’”

At high noon, Jung, surrounded by several of BASF’s past presidents, called upon everyone to “sound an alarm” about the peril our justice system faces in this moment in history, and cowbells were rung with great enthusiasm. “We are the last line of defense, we are the shield,” he declared, “We cannot compromise our principles.” The oath attorneys take is not a one-time thing, he said, but “an ongoing commitment to the principles of the rule of law.” He closed with a promise: “We stand up, we stand strong, and we stand together.”

City Attorney of San Francisco David Chiu followed, urging attendees to ignore distractions and remain vigilant about the “quiet dismantling of democratic institutions.” Lawyers go to law school because they believe in something, believe in the constitution and the rule of law, he said, and now that we are “in times of challenge and controversy,” we need to decide where we stand and take action. “I am here to recruit you—and you, and you, and you,” he said, indicating everyone assembled in the plaza. “We know about bullies,” he said. “Bullies stop when we all stand together.”

Kelly Dermody, of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein and a past president of BASF, led the crowd in a resounding chant of “HANDS OFF OUR COURTS!” The executive branch, she said, is “questioning the very legitimacy of the judicial branch.” And for our response, “it’s not enough to be alert,” she said, “we must be active.” Echoing Chiu, Dermody offered law firms and individuals ways they might engage, by writing and filing amicus briefs, by litigating. “Pick at least one fight to get involved in,” she said. We must also be courageous, she said, for “courage is contagious.”

“Today we are an activism organization,” Yolanda Jackson, Executive Director of BASF and JDC, declared before introducing Judge LaDoris Hazzard Cordell (retired) to readminister the oath. Judge Cordell opened her remarks with a reminder that this oath is “not just a ritual” but a constant call to use our legal talents to make the world better. “So, let’s do it!”

“Raise your right hand…,” she began, and the crowd went silent as everyone raised their hands in unison.

In that moment, it felt like we took a collective inhale, synchronized our heartbeats. The moment felt…solemn.

“I…shout your name!” Judge Cordell ordered. “Shout it like you mean it!” A chorus of voices—serious, clear, articulate, firm—rang out across the plaza.

Overlooking that sea of hands, I took in the straight backs and stances that embodied the courage and conviction this moment represented. As I listened as each person repeated their oath, in one strong voice, I was moved to tears.

With the oath and program completed, I pulled myself together and turned to the people around me. “How do you feel after this?” I asked. “I feel better than I did before,” said a woman, who first took her oath almost three decades ago. When I asked if there was a specific issue she felt the general public should know about, she mentioned the April 25 arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan in Milwaukee. “People should be horrified that a judge was arrested for doing their job.”

I stopped a man passing by and asked the same question. “Angry,” he said. “Why?” I asked, surprised and intrigued. “This is a start. We must figure out how to galvanize the public,” he said. “There were a million people on the US Mall in Washington DC marching against Vietnam. We need to do that again.”

The goal, intention, and hope for May 1, Coy told me later, was to have this day lead to more actions. “This idea that lawyers need to be speaking as a block, in one voice—that needs to continue,” said Howard. “We have accomplished the beginnings of how we do this at a time when we really need to do this.”

As the pressure continues to divide, intimidate, and subdue people in our country, I think back on Chiu’s words about bullies: We are stronger together. This is our time in history when we are being called to act. We must stand up, persevere, and save the rule of law.

*Kathleen chose to not include the names and identities of the people she spoke to, to respect their privacy and ensure their safety.