National Law Day, 2025
On May 1, 2025, Jaimee King, Sam Smith, and Anne Foster joined members of Portland’s legal community at the Multnomah County Central Courthouse to commemorate National Law Day. The event, sponsored by the Multnomah Bar Association and Oregon Women Lawyers, brought together attorneys and judges to reaffirm their Oaths of Office and their shared commitment to upholding the United States Constitution, protecting civil liberties, defending due process, and preserving the rule of law.
Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan Flynn presided over the ceremony and administered the oath to those in attendance. The gathering provided an opportunity for members of the legal profession to reflect on their responsibility to protect individual rights, support an independent judiciary, and ensure that the principles of justice and fairness remain central to the American legal system.
Law Day has been observed nationally since 1958, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower established the occasion to recognize the importance of the rule of law in American society. Congress formally designated May 1 as Law Day in 1961. The annual observance encourages Americans to reflect on the Constitution, the legal institutions that protect individual freedoms, and the responsibilities that accompany living in a nation governed by law.
The American Bar Association’s theme for Law Day 2025 was “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,” emphasizing the Constitution’s role in bringing together a diverse nation under a common framework of laws and shared democratic principles.
The Portland ceremony was also part of a much larger nationwide effort. According to Lawyers for Good Government, more than 10,000 attorneys, judges, and other legal professionals participated in the National Law Day of Action on May 1, 2025, with events taking place in more than 50 cities across the United States. Participants gathered at courthouses and other public spaces to renew their professional oaths and demonstrate their commitment to constitutional protections, judicial independence, and equal justice under the law.
For Jaimee, Sam, and Anne, participating in the Portland ceremony was an opportunity to join colleagues across the country in recognizing the continuing importance of these principles. Their participation reflects a fundamental responsibility of the legal profession: to uphold the Constitution, safeguard the rights of individuals, and support a legal system in which everyone is entitled to fair treatment under the law.
National Law Day serves as a reminder that the rule of law is not simply an abstract principle. It is the foundation of a justice system that depends on the integrity, independence, and continued commitment of those entrusted with upholding it.
About Smith Foster King LLC
Smith Foster King is a plaintiff's law firm representing individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. The firm's collaborative approach draws on decades of courtroom, litigation, and business experience to help clients navigate their most challenging legal disputes.
Smith Foster King handles a broad range of claims, including employment-related matters such as discrimination, retaliation, and workplace disputes, as well as cases involving sexual assault, elder abuse, and business conflicts. Sam Smith, Anne Foster, and Jaimee King leverage their extensive courtroom and boardroom experience to deliver effective, personalized representation and help clients navigate complex legal challenges. For more information, visit smithfosterking.com or call 503.567.7100.
