By: Michele Lynn
While his three years as a student at UNC School of Law were formative for John Day ’81, he points to two experiences that helped change the trajectory of his life. Day attended a talk by former United States Attorney General Ramsey Clark when Clark visited the School and spoke about his work on behalf of the powerless and the poor.
“He could have done whatever he wanted after serving at such a high level, but he chose to spend his time working on behalf of those who were less fortunate,” said Day. “I have never forgotten how inspired I was to know that somebody with so many options would do that.”
During Day’s volunteer work with the American Civil Liberties Union during his second year, he asked Professor Eugene Gressman to help him with a cert petition. “He was the author of the leading Supreme Court practice manual of its time,” said Day. “He worked with me on that petition as if it were his own project. And once again, it showed the whole idea of giving back, which has played a role in my career.”
One of the ways that Day gives back is through his service as president of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the most prestigious trial lawyer organization in the United States and Canada. Day leads this invitation-only organization devoted to excellence, professionalism, civility, integrity and the rule of law — values that also align with Carolina Law’s commitment to educate future leaders of the profession.
Day said that in addition to modeling these tenets in their personal and professional lives, American College of Trial Lawyers fellows speak to law students and at symposia and issue public statements and white papers on critical law-related issues. The fellows teach in high schools and civic organizations about the founding of the U.S. government, the interaction among the branches of government and the need for an independent judiciary.
“I firmly believe that our fellows improve the bar by their words and actions every single day,” said Day. “I believe that we make a material contribution to the community by helping people understand the role that the rule of law plays, not only in our social interactions and how it lifts people up, but also in our economy.”
Day is particularly interested in the American College of Trial Lawyers’ rule of law issues. “There’s a lot going on in the United States right now that impacts the rule of law and an independent judiciary,” said Day. “We monitor those things and speak out in a nonpartisan way to help educate the public and to demonstrate our support for those who we believe are wronged during this process on those important issues.”
The Reputation Project, an American College of Trial Lawyers initiative started by Day and designed to educate law students and young lawyers about how to build and maintain a good reputation, is also near and dear to his heart. “Educating people on how to build and maintain a good reputation not only helps them, it also improves civility and the general standards of the bar,” said Day.
Day relished the opportunity to speak about the importance of civility, professionalism and the attorney’s role in protecting the rule of law with the Carolina Law class of 2029 during orientation.
“It’s great that they heard that on their first day of law school,” said Day. “From day one, it’s really important that these students understand that how they conduct themselves is going to impact them for the rest of their lives. As I always say to young lawyers, every single one of you remembers who the jerk was in your law school class. And if you don’t remember, it was probably you!”
He noted that the class was engaged and eager to begin their careers. “The students I met will bring honor on Carolina Law,” said Day.
Day is a pillar of the legal community in Tennessee, where The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., whose staff of 30 includes eight lawyers, has focused on personal injury and wrongful death law for more than 30 years. “I’m proud of helping people — who have been horrifically hurt or lost a parent — get the financial support they need to go forward with life,” said Day.
Day believes that he and fellow Carolina Law alumni have an obligation to community service. “We’ve all been blessed with a great education funded in part by the taxpayers of North Carolina and the United States of America,” said Day. “Everybody has some talent that they can use to help advance society for others. As people who are in a position to succeed and live a better life than most in this country, it’s important that we give back to those who helped put us in this position.”
