LAW WEEK
Celebration & Poster Contest
Law Week 2026 — "The Rule of Law and the American Dream"
The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” 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 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 Week Poster and Video Contest
Create and submit your poster or video that relates to the theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream” All entries will be evaluated by a committee of attorneys based on originality, creativity, and impact.
All 1st Place poster and video contest winners will be recognized at the Annual Law Week luncheon held on May 14, 2026. They will also be featured on the SDCBA website’s Law Week Gallery and in San Diego Lawyer magazine and on SDCBA social media platforms.
Deadline:
April 24, 2026 by 12:00 p.m.
Entry Limit:
Each student may enter either one poster, one video, or one poster and one video.
Poster Contest Rules:
The poster contest is open to San Diego County students in the following categories:
- 6-8
- 9-12
Prizes will be awarded in each grade category as follows:
- 1st Place: $300
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $100
- Pizza Party for the 1st place class.
Posters must be 22” x 22” inch paper.
All entries must be original artwork and not made with newspaper or magazine photos.
All poster entries are to be submitted virtually. Please photograph your poster using your mobile device at the highest resolution or scan as a high-resolution jpeg (minimum 150 dpi, preferably 300 dpi).
Video Contest Rules:
The video contest is open to San Diego County students in the following grade categories:
- 6-8
- 9-12
Videos may be produced and submitted by individual students or by a team.
Prizes will be awarded in each category as follows:
- 1st Place: $300
- 2nd Place: $200
- 3rd Place: $100
The video must be the original work of the student. No copyrighted materials (music, images etc.) or trademarks (company names, logos, brands, etc.) may be used unless you own or have license to use the materials for this contest. Proof of license must be obtained and provided upon request for all copyrighted or trademarked materials.
Video entries should be between 30 seconds and two minutes in length.
All entries must begin with a 10-second full-screen “title screen” that includes the following information:
- Lead producer’s name
- school name
- title of video
- teacher’s name
- grade level
- total run time not including the 10-second title screen.
All videos entries are to be submitted virtually. Multiple videos from the same class may be submitted in the same form.
To learn more about the Poster & Video Contest, contact Michelle Chavez, at mchavez@sdcba.org.
The 2026 Poster and Video Contest is now closed.
Poster and Video Winner Gallery
Click the link below to see a gallery of previous Poster and Video contest winners.
The History of Law Week.
Law Week is a series of celebratory events leading up to Law Day. Held annually on May 1, Law Day is a national day of observance set aside to celebrate the rule of law. The idea originally came from Eisenhower’s legal counsel, Hicks Epton, who also served as president of the American Bar Association. Eisenhower proclaimed Law Day, U.S.A. in 1958 and it was later codified by Public Law 87-20 in 1961. Since then, Law Day has celebrated how the legal process protects our liberty, strives to achieve justice and contributes to American freedoms. During Law Week, the San Diego County Bar Association celebrates with exciting events leading up to Law Day.
How the SDCBA Celebrates Law Week.
Poster Contest and Judging:
The Lawyer Referral and Information Committee and the SDCBA's Awards Committee join in scoring posters and videos submitted by students in grades k-12 based on the Law Week theme. Winners are recognized at the SDCBA's Annual Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service on May 16, 2024.
Service Awards:
The annual awards recognize distinguished individuals and organizations for their commitment to serving the San Diego community. Winners are recognized at the SDCBA's Annual Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service on May 20.
Annual Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service
Legal community celebration recognizing the Service Award Winners and student poster contest winners.
Previous Law Week themes:
- Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration - 2023
- Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change - 2022
- Advancing the Rule of Law Now. - 2021
- Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100. - 2020
- Theme: Free Speech. Free Press, Free Society - 2019
- Equality and Justice for All – 2018
- Respectful Conversation and the Importance of Civil Discourse – 2017
- The Preamble… – 2016
- Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom under the Law – 2015