By Judge Judith Nakamura, former Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court
May 1 marks Law Day, a day set aside to recognize a simple but powerful idea: in America, we are governed by laws, not by individuals.
Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and later designated by Congress. He wanted to highlight what sets our system apart — that our government is built on fairness, individual rights and the rule of law, not on the will of any one person. That message mattered then, and it still does today.
At its core, the rule of law means no one is above the law. The same rules apply to everyone. It sounds simple, but maintaining that principle requires constant attention — especially when trust in institutions is tested.
