The Rule of Law Must Win!

April 2025

Dear Legal Community:

Over the past few weeks, the legal community here in the United States has faced extraordinary challenges. Law firms, judges, and the Rule of Law itself have been under attack. There are ongoing efforts to silence and intimidate law firms, lawyers, and judges.  These attacks on the legal community have had a chilling effect on free speech.

In my role as Chair of California Lawyers Association, I am writing to encourage you to stand strong in the face of unprecedented adversity. Our democracy is sustained by our ability to uphold justice and the Rule of Law. This is more important now than ever before.

In response to threats against judges, United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts said: “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” Chief Justice John Roberts is correct.

As we contemplate the legal community’s role in upholding the Rule of Law, it is helpful to reflect on history. Following World War II, German theologian and Lutheran pastor, Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller said:

“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a communist. Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Please do not be afraid to use your voice to champion justice and uphold the Rule of Law. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” Dr. King also reminded us in his historic “Letter from Birmingham Jail” that:

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

The legal community must unite in the fight for justice and the Rule of Law.  As President Abraham Lincoln, quoting from the Gospel of Mark, reminded us, “A house divided against itself, cannot stand.” As we move forward, please know that our legal community is stronger together.  Let us stand strong and be courageous!  We Shall Overcome!

Sincerely,

Terrance J. Evans, Chair
California Lawyers Association