'The Rule of Law and the American Dream'

The OBA Gears Up for Law Day 2026

By Amber Peckio

Every year on May 1, our nation observes the annual celebration of Law Day, an event with roots right here in Oklahoma. For OBA members, it is not just a date on the calendar; it is an opportunity to reflect on a principle that shapes nearly every part of our daily lives – the rule of law. This year’s Law Day theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” reminds us that the rule of law is not an abstract concept reserved for courtrooms or law school textbooks. It is the framework that makes the promises of the American experiment possible.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year, the declaration remains the foundation of our legal system and our national identity. It is not merely a historical document but the enduring expression of the rule of law and the promise of the American dream. Its principles of liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness are not confined to the past. They impose a continuing obligation on the legal profession to ensure those promises are realized in the present.

Those fundamental principles are what many call the “American dream.” For generations, people have come to the United States believing that hard work and determination can build a better life. Yet that dream depends on something deeper than individual effort. It depends on stable institutions and predictable laws that treat people equally. Consider the many ways the rule of law supports that vision.

For some, the American dream begins with citizenship and the promise that individuals can become citizens through lawful processes. For others, the dream centers on owning a home or building a business. Property rights, enforceable contracts and transparent regulations give families and entrepreneurs confidence that their investments are protected. Workers and employers also rely on the rule of law. Clear labor standards, nondiscrimination protections and workplace safety rules create a system in which both sides understand their rights and responsibilities. Those expectations help build successful careers, thriving businesses and stronger communities. In short, the rule of law provides the stability that allows individuals and institutions to plan for the future.

These principles cannot be taken for granted. The rule of law continually faces challenges. Misunderstanding, misinformation and declining civic knowledge can weaken public confidence in the systems designed to protect our rights. That is why public education about the law remains so important and why the OBA enthusiastically supports the annual Oklahoma celebration of Law Day, which reminds us that we all benefit from a system where fairness, accountability and due process are the standards.

To that end, OBA members, now for 50 years, have played a special role in this celebration by participating in Ask A Lawyer, which is held annually in conjunction with Law Day on May 1. Every year, volunteer lawyers across the state answer thousands of legal questions by phone and online from members of their own communities, helping the public not only better understand their own personal legal situation but also how the law works in general. Any time a lawyer explains a legal right, the rule of law is strengthened.

That is why I encourage all OBA members to volunteer this May 1 to work a shift during the Ask A Lawyer event in your own community. Sign up through your local county bar. To volunteer in Oklahoma City, contact Christi Chandler at 405-236-8421 or office@okcbar.org. In the Tulsa area, contact Mary Clement at 918-805-2352 or mary@clementlegalok.com. For all other counties, contact your local Law Day chair; visit www.okbar.org/lawday/countychairpersons for more information.

This year, let’s each take advantage of the opportunity Law Day provides to reflect on the freedoms and opportunities made possible by the rule of law and to consider how each of us, as lawyers, can help preserve it. After all, protecting the rule of law is not just about safeguarding legal principles. It is about ensuring that every person in this country retains the ability to pursue their own version of the American dream.

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Originally published in the Oklahoma Bar Journal – OBJ 97 Vol 4 (April 2026).

Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff.