May 5, 2026 2 min read

As part of their Law Day programming, the Washington County Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Foundation invite the public to attend a “Civics 101 and America 250” program at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, on the campus of Washington & Jefferson College, Howard J. Burnett Center, Yost Conference Room, 292 East Wheeling St., Washington.

The speaker panel will include Washington County Judge Michael Lucas; Assistant Public Defender Ellen Connally; Assistant District Attorney MarLee DeBolt; attorney John Egers, vice president of the bar association; and attorney and panel moderator Rachel Lozosky, chair of the Bar Association’s Public Relations and Services Committee.

The discussion will focus on civics basics such as the structure and function of the U.S. government, including separation of powers and the role of the judiciary. The program will also address the 2026 Law Day theme, “America 250: Honoring Our Founding and Dreaming for the Future” by exploring the founders’ vision of American government as framed in the Declaration of Independence, how that vision has evolved and been interpreted over the past 250 years, and how our system of government and the rule of law can be utilized to make “the American dream” possible for all.

Law Day is observed on and around May 1, with activities and projects that celebrate the Rule of Law. “Law Day-U.S.A.” was established on May 1, 1958, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to honor the American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law.

Registration for the May 19 program is requested by contacting the bar association office at 724-225-6710 or wcba@washcobar.org. The program is free and open to the public.