Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the State of New York, focuses on a core element of the rule of law—ensuring that every individual is treated equally under the law. She writes that the existence or even the perception of bias and discrimination in the courts and the justice system undermines public faith in the legitimacy of our cherished legal institutions.

Lawrence K. Marks, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, writes that although the past year brought unprecedented challenges for society as a whole, including the courts, we can take great assurance in the fact that, despite the challenges, the rule of law has endured through the efforts of courts to keep cases moving.

Rolando T. Acosta, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department writes about the importance of civic education, as the rule of law depends on the public's faith in government and an understanding of how it works.

William F. Mastro, Acting Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, writes: History teaches that such challenging times and vexing issues can sometimes produce widespread social unrest and the general perception that some individuals or groups are above the law. Thus, it is critical that when disputes, no matter how far-reaching and ominous, arise, we look to our institutions of government, and particularly to the courts and the legal profession, to resolve those controversies with fairness and equanimity.

Elizabeth A. Garry, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, writes that like so many of our cherished principles and values, within a democracy the Rule of Law calls for—and requires—our ongoing attention and action to serve the underlying cause and purpose of justice.

Gerald J. Whalen, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, writes that while technological advances will continue to assist judges in the performance of their duties in a digital world, sentencing and the judicial system generally will always remain analog at its heart.

Scott M. Karson, President of the New York State Bar Association, writes that the Association offers an antidote to the misinformation that has been plaguing our society: robust public civics education that instills the knowledge and values of our democratic republic to guard against the disrespect and wanton violence such as we witnessed at the Capitol on Jan. 6.