Daily Record Financial News &
Monday, May 15, 2017
Vol. 104, No.130 • One Section
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LAW DAY 2017
In celebration of the 14th The American Bar Association proclaimed “The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy” as its 2017 Law Day theme The association said the theme provides the opportunity to explore the many ways that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has reshaped American law and society. “Through its Citizenship, Due Process and Equal Protection clauses, this transformative amendment advanced the rights of all Americans. It also played a pivotal role in extending the reach of the
Bill of Rights to the states,” the ABA said. Ratified during Reconstruction,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, it said. The presidents of area legal associations, societies and guilds were invited to respond to two questions about the 14th Amendment. This is what some of them had to say:
Geddes D. Anderson Jr.
Laura Boeckman
James A. Kowalski Jr.
Litigation has become the sport of kings. Legal representation is not affordable to the vast majority of our society. The 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law is meaningless unless everyone can afford to seek legal remedies when they have been wronged or unfairly accused.
After attending the Federal Bar’s program on Jewish Lawyers Under Naziism, I realized how important it is to continue to assure that the rights of all are protected under the 14th Amendment.
Many of our recent litigation efforts have focused on violations of the Fair Housing Act, which is an extension of the Equal Protection Clause.
Access to justice. There are too many in our community with legitimate legal needs who can barely afford to file a lawsuit, let alone proceed to trial.
Judicial independence. As I listened to U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan recount his horrific experiences during the assassination attempt on his life, it brought into clear focus for me how as lawyers, we have an obligation to defend the judiciary from the overt attacks on independence and from the quieter and more subtle attacks as well.
Civil legal aid puts into practice the due process provisions of the 14th Amendment. Despite the promise of the Constitution and the Pledge, and the fact that civil legal aid is part of our economic support structure, local and state government funding support in Florida is at a historic low.
The Jacksonville Bar Association President How has your legal focus been affected by the 14th Amendment the past year?
What is the most important legal issue facing your area?
Ratified July 9, 1868. Section 1 states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Inside: More attorney responses, Page 6
Federal Bar Association President
President and CEO Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Inc.
The JBA: Its place in history and the future Group’s first banquet in 1897 described as ‘one of the most brilliant events of the season’ By Max Marbut Associate Editor The year 1897 included several milestones in American history. It was the year that President Grover Cleveland vetoed legislation that would have required immigrants to
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pass a literacy test. It was the year Congress annexed Hawaii, even though 22,000 native Hawaiians signed a petition opposing the annexation. Henry Dow, a journalist who was later founder of The Wall Street Journal, began charting trends of stocks and bonds that year; the Boston Marathon was run for the first time; and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point adopted the slogan, “Duty, Honor, Country.” It was also the year The Jacksonville Bar Association was founded and the association and its members have
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since been an integral part of the city’s and the nation’s history. Nine attorneys on Feb. 4 established the organization which quickly grew to 38 charter members. They were dedicated to regulating the practice and promoting improvements in the law and methods of administration; maintaining the honor and dignity of the profession; and cultivating professional ethics and social ties among its members. The group celebrated its birth with a banquet on Feb. 26 at the WindHistory
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Duncan U. Fletcher was the first president of The Jacksonville Bar Association. He also served twice as the mayor of Jacksonville and in the U.S. Senate. Special to the Daily Record
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