April 20, 2011 – The Young Lawyers Division needs attorney volunteers to speak for an hour in classrooms, April 25 to May 6, to celebrate Law Day. The theme of Law Day 2011 is "The Legacy of John Adams: From Boston to Guantanamo." The program provides an opportunity to assess and celebrate the legacy of President Adams, including an exploration of the historical and contemporary role of lawyers in defending the rights of the accused and appreciation for the fundamental principle of the rule of law.

Envisioned in 1957 by then ABA President Charles S. Rhyne as a special national day of recognition, the first Law Day was established by President Dwight Eisenhower the following year.  Congress issued a joint resolution in 1961 designating May 1 as the official day for celebration.

This year Law Day falls on a Sunday and is being celebrated during the weeks of April 25 and May 2, depending when participating schools are on their spring break. The YLD provides volunteers with age-appropriate, interactive curriculum to use during their presentation, which generally runs 45 to 60 minutes, including time for students to ask questions.

John Adams was our first lawyer president. He was a revolutionary, a diplomat, and an advocate. Only five years before the Revolutionary War, Adams agreed to represent British soldiers charged with firing into a crowd of protestors and killing civilians in the Boston Massacre. Though incredibly unpopular at the time, his willingness to provide representation to these defendants has been held as a shining example of a lawyer’s adherence to the rule of law and defense of the rights of the accused. Whether in 1770 in Boston or 2010 in Guantanamo, our system of laws require representation even for the most unpopular clients.

To volunteer, please contact LawDayWI@gmail.com.