April 8, 2026 – Our nation will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. The Declaration of Independence gave us the ideals that launched our nation – living ideals that Americans are still working to understand and to aspire to in 2026.

Lawyers were integral to the creation of the document 250 years ago, and we as lawyers continue to play a critical role in American democracy. Our profession remains closely tied to the foundational principles of liberty, equality, and justice.

With that in mind, I’m writing to personally invite you to share your perspective on what the Declaration of Independence means to you as an attorney and citizen.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is collecting brief essays (250-word max) from our members, which we will publish in Wisconsin Lawyer in June, as well as online on Wisbar.org.

As a starting point, I encourage you to re-read these opening words of the Declaration below and choose a phrase or phrases that resonate with you.

We hold these truths to be self-evident,

• that all men are created equal,

• that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,

• that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

• That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

What stands out when you read these phrases now? Where has our country excelled and flourished, and where are we falling short? What can we be proud of, and where can we improve?

Short (250-word max) essays will be collected through April 30, 2026.

We plan to publish as many essays as possible in the June 2026 issue of Wisconsin Lawyer, with additional essays shared online. We are looking for a wide range of perspectives from across our membership.

We will select essays with an eye to the greatest diversity of views, ages, areas of practice, experiences, and geography. We want essays that provoke thought and encourage discussion. We want to discover, from your perspective, what the relevance of this powerful document is today.

We are hopeful this project will encourage discussion, understanding, and collegiality in our shared values as Americans and lawyers.

And we hope this project will generate meaningful conversations amongst our members and the wider public. Please join us in celebrating America at 250.

A Note on Submissions

The goal of this project is to promote collegiality and mutual respect. We will accept a broad range of essays and we welcome all viewpoints. All essays must maintain a civil tone and adhere to the Rules of Professional Conduct.

While we encourage focus on principles that tie the Declaration of Independence to the current practice of law and the role that lawyers play in preserving it, we are not imposing content restrictions on essays that focus on other aspects of the Declaration of Independence and its relevance. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted.