Law Day 2024: Voices of Democracy
Each year on May 1st the legal community gathers together to celebrate “the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system.” Established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Law Day is intended for understanding how and why the legal system and the law itself are vital to liberty, justice, and freedom for all. Past Law Day themes have included the Magna Carta, Separation of Powers, the 14th and 19th Amendments, and the role that the courts play in ensuring access to justice.
This year’s theme is Voices of Democracy. According to the American Bar Association (ABA), the theme “recognizes that in democracies, the people rule. For nearly 250 years, Americans have expressed their political views and wishes by speaking their minds and voting in elections. In 2024 the United States will hold its 60th presidential election, and Americans will address fundamental questions about democracy and the rule of law.” As part of the annual celebration, the ABA hosted a discussion between ABA President Mary Smith and Aslihan Bulut, the Law Librarian of Congress. A recording of this conversation can be found here.
On May 1st (10:30 am PST), the ABA will livestream a special Law Day program from Pennsylvania, entitled Taking the Next Step: Ensuring Trusted Elections and Civics for Pennsylvanians. While the program will include some state-specific content, the lineup includes information about the importance of Law Day, a panel discussion on free and fair elections, and a conversation on civility and the state of democracy. The program will also include a call to action and ideas for next steps. This event is part of a nationwide listening tour “focused on addressing the key issues facing our democracy, such as ensuring trust in elections and improving civic dialog.”
To commemorate Law Day and its theme, we have put together a list of books and resources that highlight Voices of Democracy. To inquire about any of the book titles below, please contact the law library reference desk at library.requests@courts.wa.gov or 360–357–2136.
From the Law Library Collection
Shaping the Bar: The Future of Attorney Licensing (2023) by Joan W. Howarth
Multicultural Lawyering: Navigating the Culture of the Law, the Lawyer, and the Client (2021) by Kimberly E. O’Leary, Mable Martin-Scott
The Inclusive Leader: Taking Intentional Action for Justice and Equity (2021) by Dr. Artika R. Tyner; foreword by Miguel Ramos
Extending Justice: Strategies to Increase Inclusion and Reduce Bias (2023) edited by Bernice B. Donald, Sarah E. Redfield
The Initiative and Referendum Almanac: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to the Initiative and Referendum Process in the United States (2018), written and edited by M. Dane Waters, with support from Ballotpedia
How to Interpret the Constitution (2023) by Cass R. Sunstein
Treaty Justice: The Northwest Tribes, the Boldt Decision, and the Recognition of Fishing Rights (2024) by Charles Wilkinson
Her Honor: Stories of Challenge and Triumph from Women Judges (2023) edited by Lauren Stiller Rikleen; foreword by Dahlia Lithwick
Everyone Against Us: Public Defenders and the Making of American Justice (2023) by Allen Goodman
Getting Elected is the Easy Part: Working and Winning in the State Legislature (2023) by Karen Kaiser
Creating Restorative Justice: A Communication Perspective of Justice, Restoration and Community (2021) by Gregory D. Paul and Ian M. Borton
The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics (2021) by Justice Stephen Breyer
To search for more titles (including eBooks), check out the law library catalog.
Online Resources — Law Day
American Bar Association — Law Day 2024
National Constitution Center — Law Day
King County Bar Association — Law Day
National Center for State Courts — Law Day
Online Resources — Voices of Democracy
Washington State Legislature — Classes and Tutorials
Washington State Courts — Judges in the Classroom Program