In 1958, President Eisenhower established Law Day as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law, and in 1961, Congress designated May 1st as the official date for celebrating Law Day.
This year’s theme is the “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration.” Every year, our local bar association prepares a program of events to commemorate Law Day, at which lawyers, judges, and dignitaries gather to listen to speakers address the theme and recognize members of our County’s communities for their achievements.
The keynote speaker this year was a well-known and respected attorney, Marc Sheridan, Esq., who is a mediator and trainer. His area of practice is collaborative law, whereby he assists clients in reaching resolutions through collaborative measures as opposed to resorting to litigation. In fact, Attorney Sheridan was my mediation trainer for the Basic Mediation Course I attended in the fall of 2022.
As someone whose practice requires collaboration each and every day, his remarks were poignant, relevant, and fitting. Our democratic society was borne out of a revolution almost 250 years ago. From that discord emerged the principles that serve as the foundation of our rule of law. Amongst those principles is civility, and in our legal profession, this principle is upheld. Civility is embedded in the legal profession as an ethical rule, and it is not simply the act of being polite or kind to others. Rather, it requires that individuals respect the disagreements and discord amongst them, and it requires that this respect be shown to one another by outward expression.
One of my favorite quotes offered by Attorney Sheridan is from President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, delivered on January 20, 1961:
“So let us begin anew–remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”
The rule of law is not fully realized and reflected on your favorite legal-themed television shows and movies. The facet of collaboration cannot be lost to the superfluous, exaggerated embellishments of the drama, the objections, and the televised verdicts. The collaborative process can bring resolve to parties with dignity, respect, and civility, and it should not be overlooked in our profession.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this post is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls and communications. Contacting us, however, does not create an attorney-client relationship.