Seven US bars took on projects to bolster rule of law understanding and confidence in democracy
The American Bar Association has summarized findings from rule of law-related projects handled by seven US bars in the final report of its Cornerstones Commission, entitled “Lawyer as Public Citizen: Collaboration, Civics & Civility.”
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Native American Bar Association, the Oakland County (Michigan) Bar Association, the Omaha Metropolitan Bar, the Ohio State Bar Association, the State Bar of Montana, and the Washington County (Pennsylvania) Bar Association obtained subgrants for initiatives that cultivated community dialogue and rule of law understanding, in addition to enhancing confidence in democratic processes.
Per the report, structuring and organizing democracy’s core pillars hinged on freedom, rule of law and pluralism – liberalism’s central tenets.
“The work of these seven grantees has advanced civic norms across their communities through creating opportunities to interact across differences, by intentionally building collaborative skills through education and practice,” the report said. “In the short-term, this work has helped slow the advance of affective polarization, reduce the likelihood of conflict and helped bridge difference. In the long-term, we posit and hope, democracy will be strengthened by resting on a more stable social political foundation.”
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association trained a group of Indiana-based AAPI community leaders on the parameters of advocacy and lobbying within the restrictions of 501(c)(3) status and organizing coalitions for issues of common cause. Meanwhile, native lawyers conducted educational programs for native communities on civic duties like voting and voting rights under the National Native American Bar Association.
The Oakland County (Michigan) Bar Association held its yearly Youth Law Conference and expanded scholarships. It also improved partnerships with community organizations to broaden marketing for the Judicial Candidate Forums.
The Omaha Metropolitan Bar conducted town hall meetings in the Omaha legal community and worked with local civic, faith and higher educational institutions. It broadened CLE programming regarding elections and championed civility and community engagement in its “Bar Talk” podcast.
The Ohio State Bar Association launched a paid digital media campaign leading Ohio voters to the nonpartisan voter information page Judicial Votes Count. It encouraged judges’ participation in the project by collaborating with media organizations.
The State Bar of Montana expanded public access to the Citizens’ Law School program, which focuses on improving legal system understanding and civics education. The Washington County (Pennsylvania) Bar Association rolled out civics and civility-focused programming.
“Our democracy and the rule of law depend upon the active engagement and participation of our populace. Democracy is durable and sustainable only if we all participate,” ex-ABA president Deborah Enix-Ross wrote in the report’s foreword.
The American Arbitration Association International Centre for Dispute Resolution awarded the ABA a US$200,000 grant in line with the “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility and Collaboration” initiatives. The subgrants were obtained from this award.
US District Court judge Adrienne Nelson and attorney William Weisenberg co-chaired the initiative. The Cornerstones Commission’s work will continue in the new Center on Civic Engagement, Education and the Rule of Law.
