The Committee Table: Hon. Katharine Parker and Dawn Smalls, Civic Education Task Force

Hon. Katharine Parker, Magistrate Judge, Southern District of New York
Dawn Smalls, Partner at Jenner & Block
Civic Education Task Force Co-Chairs

What is civic education?
Dawn Smalls: It is an understanding of the three branches of government, how each of them work, how to engage with them, and the importance they have in our lives. [It is an] understanding that the legislative branch makes laws, and that there is a legislative branch on the federal level and on the local and state level. These are the basics of civics that [are] fundamentally important for all New Yorkers and particularly our students to have.

Judge Parker:  Another important aspect of civic education is teaching people what their duties are as citizens. For example, we all have a duty to serve on a jury. The importance of voting is another aspect of civic education. Those are other things our committee is focused on as well.

When did you first become interested in civic education?
Dawn Smalls: As a student, I was always engaged with programs that revolved around government and how people could engage in it. That was such an

integral part of my education that it cemented my commitment and focus on civic education for all.

Judge Parker:  I’ve always been interested from a historical standpoint. I’m a history major, and as a federal judge, we’re very interested in civic education and sharing with the public what the courts do and the importance of the rule of law.

What does the task force work on?
Judge Parker:  One of the most important projects we have is the Civics Corps. That’s an opportunity for City Bar members to be connected with organizations where they can have an impact, such as coaching a debate team, being a judge in a mock trial, going into a high school and teaching a lesson on the Constitution, or going with students to meet a judge and talking about the court system. 

Dawn Smalls:  We’ve also really been engaged in a range of programming to engage the legal community around civics, generally. We hosted the New York City Chancellor for an important discussion around his commitment to civics and how lawyers could get involved. We also hosted Damon Hewitt, the President of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, for a conversation around Constitution Day. And we have an active membership that is really focused on action.

Why is civic education important to invest in?
Dawn Smalls: As we live through what in many cases feels like unprecedented times, we can reflect on the things that tie us together as Americans: the Constitution and the foundational principles. I would encourage people to look at civics as a really positive and productive way forward for our nation’s students and us as a country. 

Judge Parker:  Civics is a way for all of us to be engaged with our country and with each other in a civil, nonpartisan way. That’s the really beautiful thing about teaching civics and how our government works.   

Closing Argument: Why should people join the Civic Education Task Force?
Judge Parker:  I’ve been involved in the City Bar since I graduated from law school. I’ve met so many people from all different areas of practice, and it’s really enriched my professional career.  

Young lawyers, new lawyers can join our committee and immediately meet federal and state judges, people who’ve worked at high levels of government at the state and local level and the federal level and engage with them on important projects. It’s a very active committee and a great opportunity to meet people and do some good. 

Dawn Smalls:  As a young associate, I was the secretary of the Ethics Committee here at the City Bar, and it was a formative experience that allowed me to deepen a relationship with a partner at my law firm and get to know real leaders of the Bar. 

As a young person, those opportunities are not that prevalent. The City Bar provides an opportunity to gain expertise, learn more about a practice area, and meet potential mentors and other folks in the legal industry. 

See volunteer opportunities with the Civics Corps here.  

Learn more about City Bar committees here.