Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas. Courtesy/NMSC

COURT News:

SANTA FE – In a proclamation celebrating Law Day on Friday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Julie J. Vargas encourages New Mexicans “to reflect on the essential role the rule of law plays in securing the promise of the American Dream.”

“As proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, all individuals are endowed with certain unalienable rights and chief among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The rule of law gives these ideals practical meaning by ensuring that laws are fair, publicized, and evenly enforced, and that both government and individuals are held accountable under them,” the Chief Justice wrote in the proclamation.

Law Day is observed each year on May 1. It began in 1958 with a proclamation by President Dwight Eisenhower honoring America’s commitment to the rule of law—the principle that the law applies equally to all people and that no individual or institution is above the law.

“Here, in the Land of Enchantment, Law Day is an opportunity to reflect on how the rule of law shapes both our state and our nation. It is a time to recognize the critical role of the judiciary in upholding justice and preserving democratic values,” the proclamation states. “Courts across New Mexico and our nation serve as guardians of those rights and as interpreters of both state and federal law—ensuring our freedoms are not only protected, but meaningfully applied.”

“Today, and every day, let us recognize the law not merely as a system of rules, but as a living promise—one that binds us together, empowers us equally, and reminds us that a just society is governed by law,” Chief Justice Vargas wrote.

Read the Law Day 2026 proclamation here.