Defending the Rule of Law: The Fight Against Strongman Rule

Rule of law & Democracy

“No matter how strong the foundation, no matter how sturdy the framing, our justice system cannot long survive the continued loss of public confidence.”

— R. WILLIAM IDE III, ABA JOURNAL

Why Rule of Law Matters

For thousands of years, human societies were ruled by kings, emperors, and dictators. The United States was built on a once-radical idea—that no one is above the law, not even the most powerful leaders.

But today, we are drifting away from that principle. Our society is increasingly embracing “strongman” leadership, where loyalty to an individual outweighs respect for the law, democratic institutions are undermined, and the independence of the courts is challenged.

"Without independent courts, democracy is just a word."
— R. William Ide III

Democracy At RISK

  • 68% of Americans are dissatisfied with how democracy is functioning in the U.S. (Partnership for Public Service, 2024)

  • Only 27% of Americans aged 18-25 strongly agree that democracy is the best system of government (American Public Media Research Lab, 2023)

  • 35% of U.S. adults cannot name all three branches of government and 15% cannot name any (Annenberg Constitution Day Civics Survey, 2024)

  • Many Americans continue to question the integrity of past elections, and some believe fraud influenced results (Pew Research, 2024)

  • Confidence in the U.S. judicial system has reached a record low, with only 35% of Americans expressing trust in 2024 (AP News, 2024)

  • Some individuals have stated they would resort to violence if their preferred candidate does not win the next election.

The ABA TASK FORCE FOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

In 2023 Bill founded the ABA Task Force for American Democracy, a bipartisan initiative dedicated to: (i) inspire and mobilize America’s duty-bound legal profession to actively support and defend American democracy, the Constitution and the rule of law; (ii) ensure that lawyers are educated and held accountable to their professional obligations to support and defend our democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law; and (iii) Leverage the legal profession to educate the public on the reasons for, and the importance of, democracy and the rule of law.

The Global Fight for Rule of Law

"We need to develop a global rule-of-law culture."

— R. William Ide III

CEELI Initiative & Global Legal Reform

Bill helped to launch and guide the ABA’s Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI). CEELI supported the development of independent legal frameworks in post-Soviet countries, ensuring their transition to democracy and rule of law.

In 2004, he presented the ABA/CEELI Ambassadors' Award to U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, recognizing his contributions to judicial independence and democracy abroad.

    • Helped establish judicial training programs to promote independent courts free from political influence.

    • Worked on legal frameworks for due process and fair trials, ensuring all citizens have access to justice.

    • Advocated for constitutional protections that prevent executive overreach in the judiciary.

    • Advocated for pro bono legal services to ensure equal access to justice, especially in emerging democracies.

    • Partnered with bar associations and law schools to expand legal education and accessibility.

    • Developed alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs, allowing fair resolutions outside of traditional courts.

    • Collaborated with governments and NGOs to combat corruption and ensure legal transparency.

    • Assisted in drafting anti-corruption policies and legal ethics frameworks for new democracies.

    • Led legal diplomacy efforts through the ABA and CEELI, helping post-Soviet states establish independent legal institutions.

CEELI Executive Board Chair R. William Ide III presents the 2004 Ambassador's Award to Alexander Vershbow, U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation

Bill Ide and former Judge J. Michael Luttig Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

ABA PRESIDENCY (1993-1994)

"We must change the profession in its existing form to adapt to the changing needs of today’s society.”

— R. William Ide III, ABA Journal (1993)

R. William Ide III served as President of the American Bar Association (ABA) from 1993 to 1994, during a time of growing public distrust in the legal profession and increased concerns over the independence of the judiciary. His tenure focused on strengthening judicial integrity, expanding legal access, and reforming legal ethics to ensure the legal system served the public—not political or financial interests.

Judicial Independence & Public Trust

One of Ide’s core missions as ABA President was defending the courts from political influence and ensuring that the judiciary remained independent. He believed that when courts lose their impartiality, democracy itself is at risk.

During his leadership:
✔ The ABA launched initiatives to protect judges from political pressure and judicial interference.
✔ He advocated for transparent and fair legal processes to maintain public confidence in the courts.
✔ His administration worked to combat growing skepticism toward the justice system by engaging the legal profession in restoring public trust.

"The legal profession cannot stand apart from the public’s concerns. We must actively engage to restore trust and ensure justice serves everyone."
— ABA Journal, 1993

Expanding Access to Justice & ADR

A major component of Ide’s presidency was his push to expand access to justice through alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR was gaining traction as a cost-effective, efficient way to settle disputes outside of overcrowded courts. His initiatives:

✔ Promoted arbitration and mediation as solutions for civil cases, reducing court backlogs.
✔ Advocated for pro bono services, ensuring legal aid reached underserved communities.
✔ Strengthened the ABA’s commitment to legal ethics and responsibility, ensuring lawyers prioritized public service over financial gain.

One of his most significant achievements was hosting the 1993 ABA Summit on Justice Reform, which brought together legal leaders, judges, and policymakers to discuss how the profession could adapt to serve modern society better.

Building a More Ethical Legal Profession

Ide was also deeply invested in legal ethics and professional responsibility. During his presidency:

✔ The ABA implemented stricter guidelines on lawyer advertising and client transparency.
✔ He pushed for reforms to ensure lawyers prioritized ethical decision-making over profit-driven incentives.
✔ His administration addressed racial and social bias in the justice system, laying the groundwork for later ABA diversity initiatives.

Lasting Impact of His ABA Leadership

Bill Ide’s time as ABA President left a lasting impact on legal governance and judicial independence. Many of the initiatives he championed—including ADR expansion, judicial ethics protections, and legal access reforms—became standard practices within the ABA and the broader legal system. His presidency also set the stage for his later global rule of law work, including CEELI and international legal reform.

As ABA President Bill Ide opening remarks at Civil Justice Summit

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Bill Ide gives opening remarks at American Bar Association Democracy Summit at Annual Meeting

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"War is too important to be left to the generals, reform of the justice system is too important to be left to lawyers and judges."

— R. William Ide III, ABA Journal (1993)