Law Day: Renewing Our Commitment to the Rule of Law
President’s Column for May 2026
By: Josh Snyder
As we know, May 1 is Law Day. In the wake of the impressive 2025 gatherings in Philadelphia and elsewhere, the occasion has gained renewed attention within the legal community—and appropriately so.
As the American Bar Association explains, “Law Day, held annually on May 1, is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.” Its history underscores that importance. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower—having witnessed the consequences of lawlessness while leading the U.S. Army during World War II—established Law Day. The date itself is also significant, reflecting an effort to stand in contrast to May Day, which carried totalitarian associations during the Cold War.
Looking back on events in my lifetime—from the Fall of the Berlin Wall to the Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges—there were moments when Law Day might have seemed less urgent, as the values it represents appeared to be in ascendance. This is not such a moment.
Fortunately, especially in Philadelphia, there is reason for optimism—regardless of the date on the calendar. In a city rich in legal history, the lawyers and staff of legal services nonprofits work every day to make the system fairer and more accessible. At the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, we are proud to support these civil legal aid partners, and we hope you will continue to engage with us throughout the year in the spirit of Law Day.
