By Sarah Motley Stone, MBA President

Dear Members of the Bar,

I am writing this on a snowy Sunday, February 1, after a historic snowfall.  The law, like weather forecasting, is rife with uncertainty. From a prediction of four to seven inches, we reached 11 inches, an amount we last saw in 2004. Likewise, we learned as law students that the answer is often “it depends.” We are taught to understand and appreciate the nuance, the complexity, and the importance of marshaling facts and legal precedent.

To our clients, and the public at large, this uncertainty can be frustrating. Perhaps recognizing these challenges, the Preamble to our Rules of Professional Conduct directs all lawyers to “further the public's understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.” The Mecklenburg Bar Association has incorporated this into its mission statement by committing to “improve the public’s understanding of the rule of law.” Following the work of bifurcation and as a new, voluntary organization, we are beginning to think hard about how to put this directive into action. What is “the rule of law” and how can we work to support it? 

One idea I have considered is the power of storytelling. For generations, knowledge and culture were shared through storytelling—parables, fables, and epic legends. I was reminded of this at the recent kickoff dinner for the Bar Leadership Institute. The keynote was given by Rob Heroy, a past president of Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, graduate of the BLI program, and a criminal defense and immigration attorney. In welcoming the new BLI class, Rob reminded us about a lawyer’s leadership role in ensuring fairness, due process, and access to justice through stories. He spoke meaningfully about how Charlotte lawyers in the private and public sectors responded to this fall’s “Charlotte’s Web” operation, working hard to ensure the continuity and protection of the rule of law for protestors and immigrants. Perhaps we can better support the public’s understanding of the law through stories of how the law intersects everyday life, both in the extraordinary and ordinary moments.

People encounter the rule of law and may not realize it. When watching a police procedural on TV, the script always includes the ubiquitous “you have the right to remain silent”—which we know as the Miranda warning—ensuring that during a custodial interrogation a suspect’s Fifth Amendment rights are protected. The Fourth Amendment appears in the Grateful Dead’s Truckin’, “But if you got a warrant, I guess you’re gonna come in,” with the judicial warrant representing the requirement for a reasonable search and seizure. Outside the criminal justice system, people encounter the rule of law when signing a lease (a place to live for a defined period, in exchange for the agreed-upon rental payment) or buying a home (the deed transfers legal ownership from one person to another). When a family member passes away, property transfers based upon a will or the state laws of inheritance. These orderly property transitions all depend on our foundational principles of the “rule of law.” 

But trust in these principles is decaying. The National Center for State Courts conducts an annual survey into public sentiment about the court system. In 2025, while 62% of those surveyed indicated having “a great deal of confidence” or “some confidence” in state courts at large, only 52% expressed the same views of the federal court system. Further, the percentage of Americans agreeing that state courts provide equal justice slipped from 62% in 2014 to 44% in the 2025 survey data. 

Activating our responsibility to help teach and explain “the rule of law” to the community is no easy task. But, as I have seen the snow melt this afternoon, I am reminded that this will go-to-print on the cusp of spring, a season of renewal and I am excited about our Bar renewing its focus on civic engagement. If you are interested in joining us, Board nominations are due March 6, with section and committee leadership recruitment starting thereafter. All information can be found at MeckBar.org.