Why law is not just for lawyers, but for you tooWhy law is not just for lawyers (article and video by John Bandler)

by John Bandler

There are a lot of reasons law is not just for lawyers. Law is for everyone, it has to be, in a democracy that is a nation of laws.

This article and the embedded video at bottom explain why.

1. The two reasons

There are two main reasons citizens and residents need to know something about law. One is for self-interest, one is for the good of the country.

  1. Everyone makes decisions on legal issues (self-interest means it is good for people to know something about law).
  2. A nation of laws needs people who know what law is and should be (for the good of the country, citizens need to know something about law).

Let's explore each of those reasons more.

1.1 Everyone makes decisions on legal issues

Everyone makes legal decisions throughout their lives, decisions big and small. Usually without any help from a lawyer. Some decisions are simple (accept the website terms of service and privacy terms?) some are more complicated (renting or buying an apartment or house, an employment contract, the purchase, lease, or rental of a car).

Sometimes a lawyer will help you with your legal decision, but usually not. Either way, the understanding you already have of law will help you navigate that legal issue, assess the pros and cons, and make a solid decision.

If you get help or representation from a lawyer, they will try to explain the law and advise you on what to do. You will still make the decisions.

1.2 A nation of laws needs people who know what law is and should be

For the good of the country, a nation-of-laws democracy needs an informed citizenry, because they are making important decisions about their country and the government. Especially about who should serve in the government.

And by "government" we mean the complex network of federal and state governmental units, with three branches of government. Government is formed and governed by law. All of this takes some learning and effort to properly understand. Those that don't understand law and government cannot make make good decisions about it.

Citizenry choose the government, the government is based in law, creates law, enforces law, and adjudicates legal disputes.

We cannot leave it just to the lawyers and judges. Some lawyers and judges are wrong or have a different opinion on what law should be.

A democratic nation of laws requires a citizenry that knows about law and what it should be. A citizenry who can fulfil their important duties of citizenship.

2. Think like a lawyer? Become a lawyer?

I'm not saying you should become a lawyer. I'm not even saying you should think and act like a lawyer (more on that in another article and video).

There are things about the practice of law that we don't want our citizenry, family, friends, and neighbors emulating, and some ven say we already have too many lawyers.

I am just saying that we need to understand the basics of law and what it should be, for our own sake and for the good of the country.

And yes, there are some noble parts about law and what some lawyers do.

3. The basics of law

There are some basics on law that everyone should understand and appreciate, including:

  • Law is about process and fairness
  • Laws are simply rules from government
  • There is a process to create those rules
  • There should be fair enforcement of those rules
  • Rules for how people should conduct themselves
  • Rules and fair processes for resolving a dispute
  • Rules and ideals for how we govern ourselves
  • Rules and ideals for how this democracy works
  • People in a nation of laws need to know what a nation of laws should be.

4. Good parts about law and thinking like a lawyer

These are the good parts about thinking like a lawyer:

  • Recognizing that law is supposed to be about fair rules and a fair process to enforce them and resolve disputes
  • Separating issues where appropriate
  • Joining (linking) issues where appropriate
  • Distinguishing between law and facts
    • Law is the rule
    • Facts are what happened
  • Applying the law to the facts (and vice-versa)
  • Logical analysis
  • Compare and contrast (analogize and distinguish).

5. Ready to learn more law?

I have resources, and I think it's helpful to start by learning some basic categories of law, such as:

  • Federal vs. state laws
  • Criminal law vs. civil law
  • Substantive law vs. procedural law.

See my articles here and subscribe to me on YouTube and see my Udemy courses for more.

6. The good, bad, and ugly

I talk this through in the video.

The good: The theory of law is good and beautiful, including the principle that we should have fair rules, enforced fairly, with a fair process to resolve disputes peacefully.

The bad: Even reasonable people can disagree, and these disagreements can get nasty. Plus, a lot of law and our legal system is simply people and lawyers trying the win. The legal system is better than physical violence and threats, but it is still a system of lawyers just trying to win, and that gets really nasty too.

The ugly: Our system of law and government is only as strong as the good and ethical people willing to defend it. Unethical people and lawyers, corruption, excessive wealth and power, and other influences can damage and corrupt it. This affects the laws that are passed, how laws are enforced, and more.

7. Citizens have duties

Some duties are clear.

Citizens have clear duties to vote and serve on juries.

In order to vote responsibly, citizens need to have a basic understanding of law, our system of government, and what a nation of laws democracy should be.

(Jury duty requires no knowledge of law, and jurors are obligated to follow the judge's instructions on what the law is).

8. Politics may get dirty, but politics is not a dirty word

Our system of government requires politics, and requires attempting to persuade voters, and voters who can make an informed, reasonable decision that supports a nation of laws.

9. Non-lawyers - find that right balance in your view of law and lawyers

Avoid the two extremes of:

  • Contempt and disregard for lawyers and judges
  • Excessive deference to lawyers and judges.

Find the reasonable middle ground.

10. We get what we vote for

Citizens get the type of government and politics that they vote for

Don’t vote for selfish or corrupt candidates who will serve themselves

Vote for ethical candidates who will

  • Serve the country (state, county, city, town, village)
  • Follow and uphold the rule of law.

11. Conclusion

Laws and our legal system are important to know about. We are a nation of laws and we all play a role in our country and legal system. Without an informed citizenry, even great nations and democracies can decline.

We all need to make legal decisions regularly (whether we know it or not), and eventually will face a significant legal issue that requires we obtain legal advice and properly understand it.

If you want to learn more about law, there is lots on this site, my YouTube channel, and my Udemy course.

12. Additional learning

This article is hosted at https://johnbandler.com/law-is-not-just-for-lawyers, copyright John Bandler, all rights reserved.

Originally posted 9/12/2026, updated 9/29/2026.