Annual Law Day to honor 14th Amendment

What’s in the 14th Amendment? Many would be hard pressed to cite any portion of it.

This year, the 59th annual Law Day will celebrate the amendment in hopes of shedding light on its importance.

“The 2017 theme provides the opportunity to explore the many ways the 14th Amendment has reshaped American law and society,” according to the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association website.

“Ratified during Reconstruction a century and a half ago, the 14th Amendment serves as the cornerstone of landmark civil rights legislation, the foundation for numerous federal court decisions protecting fundamental rights and a source of inspiration for all those who advocate for equal justice under law.”

This year, the SMBA will host its annual Law Day lunch at 11:30 a.m. May 3 at Hickory Hills Country Club, 3909 E. Cherry St. The event includes awards in four categories: the Liberty Bell, given to a person outside the law community who makes an impact; the Equal Access to Justice Award, given for a lawyer’s pro bono work; Judicial Excellence Award, given every three years for a lawyer’s support of the bar; and the Distinguished Attorney Award, the SMBA’s highest honor recognizing service to the legal profession.

The first Law Day was celebrated in 1958, following a decree from President Dwight Eisenhower. Since then, each sitting president has declared through proclamation Law Day to be May 1, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. Nowadays, bar associations nationwide celebrate the day with speakers, lunches and activities to involve the community.

Other local activities include a poster contest for elementary students, essay contest for middle schoolers and video contest for high school students.