QuickTake:

The City Club of Eugene marks Friday's Law Day with speakers who are working to educate Americans about the U.S. legal system.

The City Club of Eugene will observe Law Day on May 1 with five speakers who are working to increase the understanding of the United States’ legal system and to engage citizens more deeply and knowledgeably.

The Friday meeting begins at noon at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. Club meetings are open to the public. There is no charge to attend.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower declared May 1 to be Law Day in the United States. The theme for Law Day 2026 is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” focusing on how a stable legal system underpins the opportunity for people to pursue their goals in the United States. 

Yet study after study confirms that many Americans lack a basic understanding of U.S. government. Even though two-thirds of Americans say they studied civics in high school, just 25% say they are “very confident” they could explain the U.S. system of government.

Friday’s City Club speakers are trying to change that:

  • Nikki Darling is the southwest Oregon regional program manager for The Civics Learning Project, a 40-year-old organization that connects the legal community, civic leaders and educators in an attempt to foster civic learning and democratic engagement.
  • Jenny Jonak is the founder of Jonak Law Group in Eugene. She has spent thousands of hours doing pro bono work, including prisoners’ rights and a class action for people with physical and developmental disabilities. She serves on the board of Eugene School District 4J and is on the steering committee for the Lane County Campaign for Equal Justice, which raises funds for Legal Aid in the county.
  • Martha L. Walters was Oregon’s first female Supreme Court chief justice; she was appointed to the court in 2006 after 30 years of private practice in Eugene. She retired in December 2022 and most recently has been working to address Oregon’s public defense crisis.
  • Marshall “Marty” Wilde is a retired Air Force colonel, decorated combat veteran and judge advocate with 25 years of military legal service. A former Oregon state representative, he teaches at the University of Oregon School of Law, where his courses focus on empowering young people to use the law as a tool for justice.
  • Elizabeth-Yvette Williams is a 17-year-old college student. She participated in mock-trial activities for two years, during which she won awards as outstanding attorney and most valuable participant. She participated in B.I.G. (Blacks in Government), where she was awarded the “Most Likely to be Future President” certificate. Her goal is to become a federal judge.

Friday’s program will be livestreamed and will be available on the club’s YouTube channel. City Club of Eugene meetings are rebroadcast Mondays at 7 p.m. on KLCC, 89.7 FM, and are available later on the club’s podcast.

The City Club of Eugene explores local, state and national issues.