The United States is the focus country for the 2026 Day of the Endangered Lawyer, an annual global initiative highlighting threats against lawyers for carrying out their professional duties.

On Thursday, January 22, 2026 (4:00–6:00 p.m. CET), the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the International Coalition for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer will host an online discussion examining recent attacks on lawyers in the U.S. and their impact on judicial independence and the rule of law. The program will include keynote remarks from international human rights leaders and the launch of a Coalition report documenting these developments.

The programme consists of the following:

Opening remarks:

• Symone Gaasbeek-Wielinga, The Foundation of Day of the Endangered Lawyer

• Vânia Costa Ramos, President of the European Criminal Bar Association

Keynote speakers:

• Margaret Satterthwaite, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers

• Hon. Nancy Gertner, Judge of the US District Court of Massachusetts, 1994-2011; Senior Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School

Presentation of the Coalition’s report:

• Nancy Hollander, Lawyers for the Rule of Law

• Catherine Morris, Lawyers Rights Watch Canada

Closing remarks:

• Roman Zavrsek, President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE)

Moderator:

• Ş. Ceren Uysal, European Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH)