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Lawyer Chapters

ACS lawyer chapters bring together an expanding grassroots network of lawyers and other professionals spanning from coast to coast. Lawyer chapters offer a local forum to share ideas and debate issues integral to a progressive legal and policy perspective; to develop important professional contacts; and to work together on substantive projects. They also connect members with national ACS initiatives, providing them with opportunities to help shape the national debate.

A list of all lawyer chapters with contact information is available. Alternatively, visit the ACS chapter map to view the web page of any particular chapter.

If you are interested in helping to organize an ACS lawyer chapter in your area, please contact us at lawyerchapters@ACSLaw.org or 202-393-6181.

Recent Stories

Chicago Lawyer Chapter Hosts Anthony Lewis

Anthony Lewis 1

On May 1, 2008, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society For Law & Policy, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum welcomed two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Lewis for an immensely enjoyable evening’s discussion on the 1st Amendment.

Mr. Lewis is one of the country’s most esteemed experts on the First Amendment and the author of the classic Gideon’s Trumpet. He came to share his latest work, Freedom for the Thought That We Hate: A Biography of the First Amendment, which traces the First Amendment from its early origins and engages such contemporary issues as hate speech and journalists' claim of a right to conceal confidential sources.

His biography includes:

1969-2001 Columnist for the New York Times op-ed page, including covering the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since the mid 1970’s Lewis has taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

Chicago Lawyer Chapter hosts "Forum on Police Accountability: Meaningful Change or Work in Progress"


The ACS Chicago Lawyer Chapter held a very successful meeting on the issues of Police Accountability in Chicago under a new administration charged with creating a more accountable culture within the police department. The room was packed with over 70 attendees from all three sponsoring organizations, and some members of the very interested public. The program featured the new head of the recently created Bureau of Professional Standards for the Chicago police department, Peter Brust. The seminar also featured Ilana Rosenzweig the new head of the recently strengthened City of Chicago Independent Police Review Authority, a civilian review organization separate from the police department. There were many questions and comments from the actively involved audience. Many conversations continued long after the program closed. This seminar clearly illustrated what is a major change in efforts to professionalize the Chicago Police Department, and the challenges that presents.

Chicago Lawyer Chapter Hosts Congressman John Conyers, Jr. for Health Care Discussion

On April 11, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter joined with the Northwestern School of Law ACS Chapter, Northwestern University School of Law, the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, the American Medical Students' Association, the Advocates for Reproductive Freedom and the Program on Global Health Law and Policy to host nearly 500 people to hear Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives address the subject "Ending the U.S. Health Care Crisis: Reforming Health Care in 2008."

To see Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article click here.