On May 1, the United States celebrates Law Day, an annual occasion to reflect on the role of law in American life. The American Bar Association’s 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The theme asks us to consider what the rule of law means not just as an abstract principle, but as something to be lived and cherished for what it promises.
Just a few weeks ago, the Bolch Judicial Institute honored David F. Levi, a former federal judge, former dean of Duke Law School, and founding director of the Institute, with the 2026 Bolch Prize for the Rule of Law. At his request, this year’s celebration included two roundtable-style conversations with distinguished current and former judges about judicial independence, public trust, civility, and the health and future of American democracy.
Those conversations are a natural fit for this year’s Law Day theme. Below, we’ve collected short excerpts from each — bite-sized reflections on big civic questions that you can watch here now. We’ll also be sharing these excerpts on Instagram in the coming days, so if you’re an Instagram user, please follow us! Both full programs are also available on YouTube, with links at the end of this post.
This Law Day, we hope you’ll watch one or two and take a moment to reflect on the ideas they raise: What does the rule of law require from courts? What does it require from the public? And what does it ask of all of us?
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Begin with the big idea
The Foundation of a Free Society
Rule of law as the foundation of a healthy, fair, and flourishing society.
Democracy & Judicial Independence
Judicial independence as essential to democracy and the rule of law.
Consider what judicial independence means
Judicial Independence ≠ Rogue
Judicial independence includes accountability through established processes.
Collegiality Promotes Restraint
Judicial collegiality promotes restraint and respect for the separation of powers.
Judicial Independence as Protector of Rights
Rights require independent courts to give constitutional freedoms real and lasting meaning.
Reflect on civic culture and public responsibility
The Law Must Live in Hearts and Minds
The rule of law depends on public understanding and commitment.
Disagreement Without Contempt
Democracy can withstand vigorous disagreement, but not a citizenry that treats one another with contempt.
Courts Are Rising to the Occasion
Helping the public better understand the work courts are doing every day.
Look at how courts earn trust
The Character Test for Judges
Judges show impartiality over time, across cases.
Show Your Work, Build Trust
Courts build trust by clearly explaining their reasoning.
Judging Courts Over Time
Courts should be judged by patterns, not single outcomes.
Look toward the future
Access to Justice for the Next 250 Years
Access to justice as essential to public confidence in courts.
Speaking Up for Judicial Independence
Judges can help protect judicial independence by educating the public about courts and the fair administration of justice.
Aspirational to Transformational
The Institute’s founding vision and Levi’s transformational leadership.
Watch the Full Conversations
These short reflections are only a starting point. If you want to keep learning about the courts, the rule of law, and the role of the judiciary in American democracy, the Bolch Judicial Institute also offers Civics Break — a civic education initiative designed to make the work of courts and the principles of our constitutional system more accessible to adult learners and community audiences.