LAW DAY 2026
Most Americans have their own ideas about the American Dream, but whether their focus is on aspirations such as political liberty, social equality, personal security, or economic opportunity, they all rely on the rule of law. The rule of law—the idea that no person is above the law—is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams.
The rule of law ensures that people will not be imprisoned or punished without due process, will be free to pursue their economic interests, and will be secure in their homes and property. In short, the rule of law is essential to the freedom and prosperity that Americans have aspired to throughout the nation’s history. The ABA encourages all Americans to recognize Law Day on May 1, 2026, and to reflect on how the rule of law ensures all Americans have the ability to fulfill their dreams.
LAW DAY HISTORY
Law Day was conceived by the late Hicks Epton, a Wewoka attorney and past president of the Oklahoma Bar Association. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day nationally by presidential proclamation, and the first of May was set aside in 1961 by a joint resolution of Congress.
The Tulsa County Bar Foundation Celebrates Law Day by holding multiple activities, including the Law Day Luncheon, Ask-A-Lawyer Phone Bank, First Responder Will Project, and the Student Mock Trials and Contests. Scroll below for details, photos, and more from this year's celebrations.
2026 LAW DAY LUNCHEON & AWARDS CEREMONY
The Foundation is thrilled to announce that this year's event will take place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Discovery Lab. Registration and Sponsorship for the luncheon is available here.
- $750 Friends of the Bar Sponsor: Includes preferred seating for a table of 8 and logo recognition on all related promotional items.
- $500 Table Sponsor: Includes preferred seating for a table of 8 and name recognition on all related promotional items.
2026 ASK-A-LAWYER - Celebrating 50 Years!
Volunteer lawyers signed up for shifts during our 12-hour phone bank, where Oklahomans from across the state called a hotline to speak with an attorney at no charge. The event is held on May 1st from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bar Center using VOIP (voice-over-IP) on iPads.
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MOCK TRIALS
The Mock Trial Program is sponsored and funded by the Oklahoma Bar Foundation and the OBA Young Lawyers Division. More than 300 judges and attorneys volunteer to coach teams and conduct the competitions. The competition involves teams of students taking on the roles of attorneys and defendants in a fictional case. The mock trials are presided over by a judge and attorneys in a courtroom setting, where individual and team performances are evaluated.
STUDENT CONTESTS
The Oklahoma Bar Association and Tulsa County Bar Foundation conduct the annual coloring, art, and writing contests for students. Students from pre-K to 12th grade from all over the state may participate in color, art, and writing contests.
2026 CONTEST FORMS
The TCBF Law Day contest is open to all Oklahoma students in pre-K through 12th grade. Please select from the options below for Downloadable Contest Forms and Instructions.
2026 Law Day Coloring, Art & Writing Contest Rules
2026 OBA Law Day Entry Form or 2026 TCBA Law Day Entry Form
2026 Coloring Pages (Pre-K & Kindergarten Only)
2026 Writing Prompts (All Grades)
2026 Writing Rubrics:
Any contest entry must be submitted with an Entry Form.
Deadline for Submissions to OBA: Friday, January 23, 2026
Deadline for Submissions to TCBA only: Friday, April 3, 2026
*source: OBA Public Outreach. For more information, please click HERE.