Rule of Law Ambassador Program

Lawyers have a unique and solemn obligation, as stated in the preamble to their Rules of Professional Conduct: “A lawyer should further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.” The Washington Supreme Court calls on the WSBA, in its founding rules, to support this imperative obligation by “maintain[ing] and foster[ing] programs of public information and education about the law and the legal system.” In answer, the WSBA Board of Governors in May 2024 added public ambassadorship to their official roles and responsibilities and they called on the WSBA to create a Rule of Law Ambassador Program for lawyers and legal professionals.

We are experiencing steep decline in public trust and confidence in the legal system. New comprehensive studies show that we are becoming profoundly polarized across the nation—in fact, the only thing it seems like we can universally agree on is a deep and growing distrust of government institutions and our fellow citizens. This alarming trend strikes at the heart of our democracy: When we stop valuing and heeding our system of government, built on the constitutional pillar of a free and independent judiciary, we risk it going away.

In times like these, the imperative question becomes: “If lawyers and judges are not willing or able to defend liberty and freedom for all people under the law and Constitution, who will?”

The Rule of Law Ambassador Program will support and equip lawyers to fulfill their responsibility to educate and engage with their local communities. We are creating a toolkit that will include best-practice tips, templates, and resources to help ambassadors combat misinformation about the legal system, proactively speak about the importance of the rule of law in a constitutional democracy, and, as a long-term goal, build relationships to get at the root of mistrust in the legal system.

Our Key Message

The same laws apply to everyone, and everyone is treated equally under the law; government power is bound by law; and human rights are guaranteed to all. This is the promise of the rule of law, and that is what we strive for in Washington state.

One of the major focuses of the ambassador program will be the U.S. Constitution, and we want to ground volunteer ambassadors in constitutional law so they are prepared to educate community members, secure its continuing authority as the foundation of our democracy, and uphold its inherent rights guaranteed to all. Toward that end, we are kicking off the Rule of Law Ambassador Program on Law Day May 1, which this year is propitiously themed: “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.” We are currently working with an initial cohort of ambassadors—legal leaders across the state—to hold public ceremonies for legal professionals to retake their oath, emphasizing the responsibility to support the federal and state constitutions. In essence, we want to say to Washingtonians: The legal community in Washington is not polarized when it comes to defending the rights and liberties of all.

Law Day Rule of Law Ambassador Events

Are you interested in becoming a Rule of Law Ambassador? Here are three things you can do while the May Day launch plans coalesce:

1. Participate on May 1 in a local Law Day event. We are coordinating ceremonies across the state for lawyers to retake their professional oath, emphasizing their duty to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law. Learn about the Law Day events. RSVP for an event now!
2. Mark your calendars for noontime Tuesday, May 6, when we will hold our first Ambassador CLE training and engagement event, focused on constitutional law and equipping lawyers to safeguard constitutional guarantees in their communities during times of civic cynicism.
3. Email ambassadors@wsba.org to join the information list, and we will keep you updated about launch events on May 1, the release of the toolkit, and the upcoming ambassador CLEs.