Law Day 2025: Big Muddy Bar Association continues to make outreach a priority
Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight Eisenhower. The day celebrates the rule of law and provides an opportunity for all Americans to understand how law and the legal system protects American’ s liberties. In 1961, May 1 was designated Law Day by the U. S. Congress, and since that time, it has been celebrated nationally on this date.
Law organizations and bar associations on the national, state, and local levels designate Law Day to commemorate the importance of the law and to raise awareness and understanding of the judicial system.
In Bismarck, the Big Muddy Bar Association has spent several years coordinating activities for local fifth- and eighth-grade students.“ Law Day has several benefits for both students and the legal profession,” says Steve Nelson, Big Muddy Bar Association memberat-large and Law Day 2025 coordinator.“ It provides education about civic responsibility, the courts, the law, and the legal system. It engages students in hands-on learning that broadens their understanding, and it opens doors for students to meet local legal professionals and gain insight into potential careers.”
During the week of May 1, Nelson says association members volunteer to visit classrooms and teach students about the legal profession while also facilitating activities in which students participate.“ Around 30 attorneys and judges work with approximately 500 eighth grade students in Bismarck-
Mandan. The students participate in a mock trial concerning a car accident involving allegations of texting and driving. At the end of the mock trial, the student jury deliberate and reach a verdict with assistance from volunteers.”
As the local Law Day event has grown, Nelson says the association has modified some activities and locations.“ For many years, students came to the local courthouses for Law Day. In recent years, it became more difficult to coordinate reserving courtrooms and planning for many students to attend based on courtroom size,” he notes.“ We now go into school classrooms and auditoriums to maximize the number of students that can participate. We also started a new mock trial script in recent years to present a timely and age-appropriate scenario.”
He notes fostering students’ interest in legal professions is an invaluable investment that helps ensure a prosperous bar in the future.“ Being able to interact in person with teachers and students is a gratifying experience. Many students have never met a lawyer in person, so providing a face for the profession and answering questions helps students realize that civic responsibility and the law is something that is a part of their own lives and communities.”
Nelson says the day allows those involved in the judicial system to share their profession with their community.“ We can help students better understand their own role in our legal system. Law Day provides a basic foundation for their engagement with the legal process.
“ Our volunteers and teachers have all expressed a great appreciation for the chance to engage in Law Day activities,” Nelson continues.“ Law Day provides a useful and powerful educational experience that would benefit communities and bar associations of all sizes.”
To learn more and reach the Big Muddy Bar Association, email bigmuddybar @ outlook. com.
During the week of Law Day, approximately 30 Big Muddy Bar members work with around 500 eighth grade students in Bismarck-Mandan.
The American Bar Association( ABA) holds a Law Day Launch annually each spring, as well as commemorative Law Day event on May 1. In addition, the ABA provides a variety of resources for use in planning, promoting, and holding a successful Law Day event. For more information visit, www. americanbar. org / groups / public _ education / law-day.
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