
Every year on April 5, Türkiye celebrates “Lawyers’ Day”. But why this particular date? Why April 5? Upon investigation, one comes across various dates associated with the recognition of Lawyers’ Day. One notable date is January 3, 1934, when the Union of Turkish Lawyers convened in İzmir. During this meeting, the proposal to unite the bar associations in Türkiye under a single organization and to designate April 5 as Lawyers’ Day was reportedly accepted. Twenty-four years later, on April 5, 1958, a meeting held at the İzmir Chamber of Commerce conference hall marked the beginning of foundational efforts to establish the “Union of Bar Associations.” It remains unclear whether the choice of April 5 as the meeting date was coincidental or deliberate; however, it is noted that with the meeting in 1958, the previously proposed date of April 5 was officially recognized as Lawyers’ Day. Another perspective suggests that April 5 was chosen as Lawyers' Day because it coincides with the foundation date and first general assembly date of the Istanbul Bar Association, which took place on April 5, 1878. Ultimately, it is evident that April 5 holds significant importance for our profession, as numerous notable events have taken place on this date throughout the history of Lawyers’ Day. The celebration of Lawyers' Day continues each year. Happy Lawyers’ Day!
Every year on April 5, Türkiye celebrates “Lawyers’ Day”. But why this particular date? Why April 5? Upon investigation, one comes across various dates associated with the recognition of Lawyers’ Day. One notable date is January 3, 1934, when the Union of Turkish Lawyers convened in İzmir. During this meeting, the proposal to unite the bar associations in Türkiye under a single organization and to designate April 5 as Lawyers’ Day was reportedly accepted. Twenty-four years later, on April 5, 1958, a meeting held at the İzmir Chamber of Commerce conference hall marked the beginning of foundational efforts to establish the “Union of Bar Associations.” It remains unclear whether the choice of April 5 as the meeting date was coincidental or deliberate; however, it is noted that with the meeting in 1958, the previously proposed date of April 5 was officially recognized as Lawyers’ Day. Another perspective suggests that April 5 was chosen as Lawyers' Day because it coincides with the foundation date and first general assembly date of the Istanbul Bar Association, which took place on April 5, 1878. Ultimately, it is evident that April 5 holds significant importance for our profession, as numerous notable events have taken place on this date throughout the history of Lawyers’ Day. The celebration of Lawyers' Day continues each year. Happy Lawyers’ Day!