The International Day of the Endangered Lawyer
Save the date: Online press conference: 22 January 2026:
Each year, the international Coalition for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer focuses attention on a country where lawyers are at particular risk. In 2026, the focus is on the United States. Attacks on the independence of lawyers and judges in the US has broad implications for the rule of law globally.
The Coalition’s report will be launched at a press conference on Thursday, 22 January, 7 am Pacific Time, 8 am Mountain Time, 9 am Central Time, 10 am Eastern Time, and 16.00 pm CET. Registration is required to join the press conference. Register online here.
The Coalition has documented a sustained, coordinated campaign to undermine the independence of the US legal system, including targeted attacks on lawyers and law firms, the judiciary, legal institutions, and bar organizations.
- Opening Remarks:
- Symone Gaasbeek – The Foundation of Day of the Endangered Lawyer
- Vânia Costa Ramos – President of the European Criminal Bar Association
- Keynote Speakers:
- Margaret Satterthwaite – United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
- Testimony on behalf of the US Lawyers – Lawyer (TBC)
- Nancy Gertner – Judge of the US District Court of Massachusetts, 1994-2011; Senior Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School
- Presentation of the Coalition’s Report:
- Nancy Hollander – Lawyers for the Rule of Law
- Catherine Morris – Lawyers Rights Watch Canada
- Closing Remarks:
- Roman Zavrsek – President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe
- Moderation:
- Ceren Uysal – European Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)
- Additional speakers to be confirmed.
