Chief Justice Guerrero Brings Together Courts and Classrooms to Celebrate Law Day and Civic Learning

Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero welcomed judges, educators, students, and their parents to Sacramento on May 1 to celebrate Law Day, a national observance recognizing the rule of law and its role in our democracy. The program featured the theme “Rule of Law and the American Dream,” and included student speeches and the announcement of the 2026 Civic Learning Award recipients.

Before formally welcoming guests to the event, Chief Justice Guerrero, Justice Judith McConnell, Justice Laurie Earl, and Judge Julia Alloggiamento met with students from the Natomas Unified School District for an informal conversation about leadership pathways and challenges facing the judicial branch. 

During the event, held in the main courtroom at the Third District Court of Appeal, Chief Justice Guerrero spoke about the importance of preserving judicial independence and public confidence in the courts.

“The rule of law isn’t just about knowing details about the structure of our government,” Chief Justice Guerrero said. “It’s about involving students and ensuring they’re engaged in their communities.”

The Law Day event was planned by the Chief Justice’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative. The program included remarks from long-time initiative supporter David Gordon, Superintendent of the Sacramento County Office of Education, whose service to the judicial branch earned him the Chief Justice’s Champion of Civics Award in 2025.  

“This year's theme, the rule of law and the American Dream, reminds us that civic learning isn’t theoretical,” Gordon said. “It’s something students must practice beginning in the elementary grades.”

Student Voices Take Center Stage

Six high school students delivered original, soapbox-style speeches reflecting on the promise and challenges of the American Dream.  

Award Recipients Announced

Power of Democracy leads Justice  McConnell, Judge Alloggiamento and award co-sponsor Chief Justice Guerrero closed the event by announcing the recipients of the 2026 Civic Learning Awards, a statewide program that honors California K–12 schools for exceptional commitments to civic education. Honorees will be visited by judges of the California Courts in September in celebration of Constitution Month. The Law Day event was sponsored by Chief Justice Guerrero’s Power of Democracy Civic Learning Initiative, in partnership with the Third District Court of Appeal.

View the event playlist on YouTube.

See the full album on the California Courts Flickr.

To learn more about the initiative, visit powerofdemocracy.org