Welcome to American Courthouse!
May 1, 2008
For most Americans, May 1 comes and goes with little fanfare. A few lawyers may dimly recall that in 1958 President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed May 1 as “Law Day” a day for Americans to “remember with pride” our nation’s “great heritage of liberty, justice and equality under law.”
That’s certainly a lofty sentiment but the country’s powerful trial bar has a far different and less noble agenda. This well-connected group traditionally treats May 1 as “Lobby Day” and marks the occasion by descending on state capitols around the nation. Their mission: To block legal reform and stop attempts to turn off their money spigot.
One of the reasons I started American Courthouse was to create a forum where we could expose the trial bar’s tactics and discuss other activities that threaten a fair, independent and impartial judicial system. I also want to point to signs of hope – leaders who are fighting to reform our legal system; jurists who follow the law rather than legislating from the bench; legislators dedicated to promoting common-sense reforms; other bloggers who have taken up this fight; and many others as well.
I have spent the last few weeks testing out the blogosphere by writing on several controversial issues. One of the most prominent has been the effort underway nationwide to abolish the democratic election of judges and impose a so-called “merit selection” system where a small group comprised mostly of lawyers and other legal elites meets behind closed doors to select judges – with little or no accountability to the people.
When I started trying my hand at blogging back in March, I had promised myself to be ready to “officially launch” on May 1 and tell my friends and colleagues that I was up and running. Well, that day has arrived.
Even though this has only been a test run, the response so far has been overwhelming – from both allies and opponents alike. Thanks to all for your interest and keep coming back!
Posted by Dan Pero in the categories: Judicial Elections, Trial Lawyers
One Response to “Welcome to American Courthouse!”
[...] Pero of the American Justice Partnership officially unveils his American Courthouse blog today. (He’s had a soft opening for a few weeks, making sure the staff is up to his [...]