Message from the Chair

The recent remarks by the President of the United States, in which he personally attacked members of the U.S. Supreme Court, are deeply concerning and cross a dangerous line. Such statements risk undermining the safety of the judiciary and the integrity of our judicial system. Coming in the wake of the Court’s ruling on tariffs, the President’s characterization of the justices as “a disgrace to our nation” and “disloyal to the Constitution” threatens to erode public trust in an institution that depends on independence and public confidence to function.

For those of us who practice labor and employment law, the implications are not abstract. Our work depends on the legitimacy of courts as neutral arbiters and forums where disputes are resolved through reasoned analysis rather than political allegiance. When judicial decisions are framed as acts of disloyalty rather than exercises of constitutional judgment, it weakens respect for the rule of law at every level. That erosion ultimately affects our clients, our advocacy, and the stability of the legal system we rely on to protect both workers’ rights and employers’ obligations.

At moments like this, professional engagement matters. Gathering as a legal community to exchange ideas, discuss emerging issues respectfully, and reaffirm our shared commitment to the rule of law is not a luxury, but a responsibility. Our upcoming conferences are designed to create that space: practical, rigorous forums where labor and employment lawyers can step back from the noise, sharpen their thinking, and reconnect with the principles that anchor our work. I hope you will join us in that conversation.

Stephanie Joseph
Chair
Labor & Employment Section of the California Lawyers Association