"Degree is no measure of intelligence"
You have a better measure, Ifellato?
Getting a degree requires applying oneself to a course of study designed, in nearly every instance, to challenge the intellect, to develop reasoning, to distinguish fact from fiction and absorb evidence based, scientifically verifiable information. Those seeking higher education typically begin learning long before entering a degree program, because you don't get accepted to such a program otherwise.
Scrolling through the list of 500 legal scholars who signed the letter, I come up with roughly one in five of them as distinguished law faculty, holding eminent, chaired positions within their respective law schools.
Disregarding the opinion of the highly accomplished, the demonstrably intelligent, the widely experienced and capable among the population leaves you with what? Con men, thugs, sycophants and celebrities to run things?
There are countries that are run that way. Maybe you should spend some time in one or more to see how it's working out for their citizens.