Promise to a Nation

• Author: Judy Perry Martinez
• Pages: 6-6

ABA JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2019

6

“Certain other societies may

respect the rule of force—

we respect the rule of law.”

—JOHN F. KENNEDY

As lawyers, we see the rule of

law as the promise that we

live in a nation of laws that

are justly and fairly en-

forced. These laws protect our freedom,

rights and property from both govern-

ment intrusion and the unlawful acts

of others. The rule of law also requires

that each of us, no matter whether

elected ofcial or private person in civil

society, remains accountable under law

so that justice will be done.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia So-

tomayor has called the rule of law “the

foundation for all our basic rights.”

We, the lawyers, work hard each day to

deliver justice through the application

of the rule of law, whether it be to meet

the unanswered need of a disabled child

who does not get medicine because of

a shortage caused by illegal market

forces, for a family’s tears for a loved

one lost to a bridge collapse directly

linked to negligence or corruption, or

for a prisoner’s hopelessness resulting

from low-quality mental health services

afforded by a private prison contractor

not held to account.

As lawyers, we have a role and an

obligation to step up, speak out and

be heard on the importance of this

foundational principle critical to our

democracy.

I ask you to work with me, together

with lawyers in and across our com-

munities, to advance the rule of law,

educate the public to its importance, stir

interest in our participatory democracy,

and promote a renewal of civics educa-

tion throughout our country. Regardless

of party, politics or beliefs, it is up to us,

the lawyers, to ensure this promise to

our nation is fullled.

The country, and indeed the world,

is watching and depending on American

lawyers to stand up to bigotry, hatred,

racism, sexism, homophobia, xenopho-

bia and inequality. They see how as

lawyers and judges we bring together

people of opposing views and drive

disputes to peaceful resolution. They

have beneted from our efforts to tackle

intractable social problems. They have

witnessed our persistent defense of the

independence of the judiciary and our

simultaneous demands that the judicial

system be fair at every turn.

And they have noticed—yes, they

have noticed—that we strive to do all

the above with civility and through re-

spectful, thoughtful discourse, no mat-

ter how polar opposite our positions.

At the ABA, our focus is on four

equally principled goals, one of which

is advance the rule of law. In speaking

out to promote the rule of law, we also

further our other goals: to serve our

members, to eliminate bias and increase

diversity, and to improve the profession.

My deepest appreciation and ad-

miration go out to Bob Carlson, who

preceded me as ABA president. He is an

outstanding champion for our profes-

sion and the public.

As we move forward, we are count-

ing on every one of you to continue to

advance the rule of law and help wake

the public from its civics slumber. Our

rights and responsibilities are far too

precious and important to be taken for

granted.

We, the lawyers, must remind them

why.

“As lawyers, we have a role

and an obligation to step

up, speak out and be heard

on the importance of this

foundational principle critical

to our democracy.”

Promise to

a Nation

ABA advances the rule of law

to assure fairness, justice, and

ultimately, our democracy

President’s Letter by

JUDY PERRY MARTINEZ

ABA President

Photo © Zack Smith