Lawyers recommit to defend constitution and educate public on constitutional law

written by TheFeedWired

May 2, 2025

The Brief The Washington State Bar Association has launched a "Rule of Law Ambassador Program" on Law Day, asking lawyers to become public ambassadors for democracy. Hundreds of lawyers across Washington are recommitting to their oath to defend the Constitution through special public ceremonies. The initiative aims to educate the public about constitutional law and rebuild trust in legal institutions amid historically low public confidence.

KENNEWICK, Wash. — Courthouses across Washington state echoed with renewed commitments to the Constitution on Wednesday as the legal community launched a new initiative aimed at defending democracy beyond the courtroom. The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) officially kicked off its "Rule of Law Ambassador Program" on Law Day, transforming lawyers into public educators at a time when trust in institutions has reached historic lows. At noon, hundreds of attorneys participated in special oath ceremonies, publicly recommitting to their promise to protect both the U.S. and Washington state constitutions.

"It's a program that the WSBA is putting on. That's our state bar association to help educate the public about how our system of law works and what constitutional law means in the United States," a local legal representative explained. The initiative comes after the WSBA Board of Governors voted in May to make "public ambassadorship" an official duty for attorneys across the state.

The program equips lawyers with resources to engage with their communities, answer questions, and explain the fundamentals of the rule of law. "I think statewide there's been an attack on traditional legal norms and I think that is because often times people don't necessarily [know] how our system works," said one participant in the program. The timing coincides with this year's Law Day national theme: "The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One" — a fitting backdrop for an initiative focused on highlighting what unites Americans despite political divisions.

Local courts have already been working on similar outreach efforts for years, but this new statewide program formalizes and expands those efforts. "It's important for the system to work that everybody understand it. It's a complicated process getting out.

Getting out and hopefully helping people not be scared of the system and have an understanding of how it works helps everybody," another legal professional noted. The Rule of Law Ambassador Program represents a significant shift in how the legal community views its responsibilities. Beyond representing clients and arguing cases, Washington's lawyers are now being asked to serve as defenders of democratic principles in their communities.

The initiative comes at a critical time when public discourse about legal institutions has become increasingly polarized, and many Americans report confusion about how the legal system functions. By taking their message directly to communities across Washington, these legal professionals hope to rebuild trust and understanding in the foundations of American democracy — one conversation at a time. For more information about Law Day events or the Rule of Law Ambassador Program, contact the Washington State Bar Association or your local courthouse.