Russ Feingold
ACS President
Russ Feingold is the President of the American Constitution Society. He served as a United States Senator from Wisconsin from 1993 to 2011 and a Wisconsin State Senator from 1983 to 1993. From 2013 to 2015, he served as the United States Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region of Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During his 18 years in the United States Senate, Russ was ranked 6th in the Senate for bipartisan voting. He is a recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award and cosponsored the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act), the only major piece of campaign finance reform legislation passed into law in decades. Russ was the only Senator to vote against the initial enactment of the USA PATRIOT Act during the first vote on the legislation and was well-known for his opposition to the Iraq War and as the Senate's leading opponent of the death penalty. He served on the Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Budget, and Intelligence Committees. Russ was Chairman or Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee.
For the better part of the last 10 years and in addition to his congressional and diplomatic career, Russ has taught extensively at various American law schools including Stanford Law School, Yale Law School, Marquette University Law School, and Harvard Law School. In this capacity, he has played a significant mentoring role to law students, preparing him for his role as President of the American Constitution Society. He has also taught foreign policy to graduate and undergraduate students at Stanford University, University of Wisconsin, Yale University, Lawrence University, and American University.
Russ is the Honorary Ambassador for the Campaign for Nature which is a global effort calling on policymakers to commit to address the growing biodiversity crisis. The Campaign seeks a science-driven, ambitious new deal for nature at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China, in 2021.
Russ recently co-authored The Constitution in Jeopardy: An Unprecedented Effort to Rewrite Our Fundamental Law and What We Can Do About It (2022) with Peter Prindiville, Non-resident Fellow, Stanford Constitutional Law Center.
Russ also is the author While America Sleeps: A Wake-Up Call for the Post-9/11 Era and contributes regularly to various publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. He appears frequently on MSNBC and CNN. Russ holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Oxford (as a Rhodes Scholar), and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, all degrees awarded with honors.
InBrief Blog
Senate Should Continue to Confirm Judges to Prevent September Slippage
September 9, 2024
InBrief Blog
The Right to Unionize in this Country is Pivotal to Protecting Workers’ Rights
April 13, 2022
InBrief Blog
This Country is in Dire Need of New Campaign Finance and Disclosure Laws
March 31, 2022
InBrief Blog
Remembering Breonna Taylor as Work Continues for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation
March 11, 2022
InBrief Blog
Black History Month is a Time to Celebrate, Continue Fight for Multiracial Democracy
February 3, 2022
InBrief Blog
The Right’s Court Packing Got Us Here; SCOTUS Reform is Needed to Preserve Constitutional Rights
December 3, 2021
InBrief Blog
We Must Continue to Raise Our Voices to Protect Our Constitutional Rights
November 5, 2021
InBrief Blog
This is Why ACS is Calling for Urgent and Specific Supreme Court Reforms
October 22, 2021
InBrief Blog
Truth Telling is Critical to Addressing Legal System’s Failings Toward Indigenous Peoples
October 15, 2021
InBrief Blog
‘State Secrets’ Case Will Highlight SCOTUS’ Willingness to Protect Fundamental Liberties
October 7, 2021
ExpertForum Blog
Lezmond Mitchell’s Execution Would Be Another Broken Promise to Tribal Nations
August 24, 2020
press highlights
C-SPAN: Russ Feingold on the Judicial Confirmation Process and the Supreme Court
February 16, 2023
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ACS South Florida: The Constitution in Jeopardy feat. ACS President Russ Feingold
January 10, 2023
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ACS New Hampshire: The Constitution In Jeopardy with Russ Feingold and Peter Pri
November 3, 2022
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ACS Boston: The Constitution In Jeopardy with Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville
November 2, 2022
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ACS Bay Area: The Constitution In Jeopardy with Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville
October 26, 2022
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ACS Philadelphia: The Constitution In Jeopardy with Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville
October 11, 2022
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The Constitution In Jeopardy with Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville (Madison)
September 29, 2022
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The Constitution In Jeopardy: An Evening with Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville (Winnetka)
September 28, 2022
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Conversation with Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville: The Constitution in Jeopardy (Washington DC)
September 20, 2022
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The Constitution in Jeopardy feat. ACS President Russ Feingold and Peter Prindiville
September 13, 2022
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ACS President Russ Feingold’s Statement on Latest Round of Judicial Nominees
September 30, 2021
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20 years later: Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) and former Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) remember 9/11
September 13, 2021
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ACS President Russ Feingold Responds to Violent Attack on U.S. Capitol
January 7, 2021
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Russ Feingold on Why We Need to Talk About Expanding the Supreme Court
October 7, 2020
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Former Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) on the Legacy of Justice Ginsburg/SiriusXM’s
October 7, 2020
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Fall 2020 Faculty Advisor Conference Call: Townhall with ACS President Russ Feingold
September 29, 2020
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Senate and SCOTUS Nomination Discussion with ACS National President, Russ Feingold
September 28, 2020
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ACS President Russ Feingold Calls on Legal Leaders to Speak Out on Police Violence
August 27, 2020
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April 7, 2020
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American Constitution Society Taps Former U.S. Senator Russ Feingold As Its New President
February 25, 2020
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Feingold Denounces ‘Unprecedented Power Grab’ With Barrett’s Confirmation
October 26, 2020
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Accountability Needed for All Who Engaged In or Supported Seditious Acts
January 11, 2021
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December 20, 2024
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ACS Responds to Senate Deal to Not Confirm Four Appeals Court Nominees
November 21, 2024
InBrief Blog
Senate Should Continue to Confirm Judges to Prevent September Slippage
September 9, 2024
press release
American Constitution Society Announces Winners of 2024 Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition
May 9, 2024
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Black Voters Matter Receives 2024 Progressive Champion Award from the American Constitution Society
May 2, 2024
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April 16, 2024
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ACS Releases Detailed Senate Roll Call Data on Donald Trump’s Appointed Judges
February 26, 2024
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Reimagining SCOTUS: Court Reform, the New Ethics Code, and the Future of the Court
February 20, 2024
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New York Times: As Biden Judicial Confirmations Slow, Senate Gains Ground on Red-State Judges
January 29, 2024
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January 16, 2024
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NBC News: Biden falls behind Trump's pace on confirming judges as he enters a fourth year in office
January 5, 2024
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ACS Statement on the Senate Judiciary Committee Voting on SCOTUS-related Subpoenas
November 9, 2023
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ACS Announces Opposition to Legacy Preference in College and Law School Admissions
October 19, 2023
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The Hill: Time for Senate Democrats to step on the gas to confirm judges
October 10, 2023
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ACS Releases Detailed Senate Roll Call Data on President Biden’s Appointed Judges
September 5, 2023
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August 25, 2023
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ACS Condemns Threats and Verbal Attacks Against Judge Chutkan and Fulton County Grand Jury Members
August 18, 2023
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August 15, 2023
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ACS Statement in Response to Federal Indictment of Former President Trump
August 1, 2023
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July 31, 2023
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The Nation - Warning: A “Convention of States” Is Practicing to Rewrite the Constitution
July 14, 2023
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The Guardian - ‘Democracy is at risk’: inside the fight for supreme court reform
July 9, 2023
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ACS Statement in Response to SCOTUS Decision in 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis
June 30, 2023
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ACS Statement in Response to SCOTUS Decisions Banning Affirmative Action
June 29, 2023
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June 28, 2023
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The New York Times - Democrats Reach Milestone: 100 New District Court Judges
June 28, 2023
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ACS Statement in Response to Federal Indictment of Former President Trump
June 9, 2023
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ACS Statement in Response to SCOTUS Decision in Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. Teamsters
June 1, 2023
press highlights
The Boston Globe: Far right sets its sights on gutting the Constitution
May 23, 2023
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American Constitution Society Announces Winners of 2023 Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition
May 10, 2023
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ACS Calls on the Senate to Maximize Judicial Confirmations with Senator Feinstein’s Return
May 10, 2023
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Wisconsin Public Radio: Explaining ethical standards for judges and justices
May 8, 2023
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Daily Kos: How the Senate Majority Can Play Hard Ball on Judicial Confirmations
May 2, 2023
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HuffPost: The Supreme Court Is Doing Whatever It Wants. Will Democrats Ever Investigate?
May 1, 2023
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ACS Statement in Response to the Supreme Court's Stay in Mifepristone Case
April 21, 2023
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The Hill: The Senate should cancel August recess to focus on confirming judges
April 14, 2023
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NBC News: Democrats raise alarms as Feinstein's absence stalls Biden's judicial picks
April 12, 2023
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ACS Statement In Response to Lower Court Decisions on Medication Abortion
April 8, 2023
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Sherrilyn Ifill Receives the 2023 American Constitution Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award
March 24, 2023
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State Bans on Gender Affirming Health Care are 'Despicable' Assault on Bodily Autonomy
March 17, 2023
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ACS Selects Constitutional Scholar Leah Litman for 2023 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Scholar Award
March 7, 2023
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Associated Press: Dems consider break with tradition to get Biden more judges
February 23, 2023
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Salon: Don't ignore the Wisconsin Supreme Court race — it could be crucial for democracy
February 22, 2023
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NBC News: This obscure Senate tradition may decide whether Biden beats Trump's record on judges
February 22, 2023
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Daily Kos: A Critical Step for President Biden in Restoring the Soul of the Nation
February 10, 2023
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The New York Times: How to Stop a Senator From Blocking a Federal Judge
February 6, 2023
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CNN: Senate Democrats grapple with pressure to remove GOP’s ‘blue slip’ authority on judges
February 2, 2023
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Washington Post: Senators prepare for a showdown over judges and ‘blue slips’
January 30, 2023
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The Hill: Get rid of ‘blue slips’ for judicial confirmations — now
January 23, 2023
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Bloomberg Law: Biden Path to Judge Nominations Depends on Clinton, Obama Picks
January 18, 2023
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The New Republic: An on-the-ground report on the movement trying to rewrite the Constitution
January 3, 2023
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ACS Condemns Donald Trump’s Calling for the “Termination” of the Constitution
December 5, 2022
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Reuters: Biden's Ability to Reshape U.S. Judiciary Hangs in Balance as Election Looms
November 4, 2022
press release
The Packed U.S. Supreme Court Poised to Inflict More Harm with Its New Term
September 28, 2022
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The Chuck ToddCast: The movement to "completely change the Constitution"
September 23, 2022
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The Guardian: Ruling the US supreme court isn't enough. The right wants to amend the constitution.
September 19, 2022
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New York Times: Republicans Seek Path for Constitutional Convention
September 4, 2022
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Politico: The Senate must act quickly to avoid hundreds of judicial vacancies
July 20, 2022
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Reuters: Biden nominates 5 new judges, but not Republican abortion opponent
July 12, 2022
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ACS Statement in Response to Supreme Court Decision in West Virginia v. EPA
June 30, 2022
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June 23, 2022
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American Constitution Society Celebrates Student Leadership With 2022 Virtual Graduation Ceremony
June 14, 2022
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U.S. Senator Alex Padilla to Speak at the American Constitution Society’s National Convention
June 14, 2022
press release
Witness to Innocence Receives 2022 Progressive Champion Award from the American Constitution Society
June 13, 2022
press release
American Constitution Society Announces Winners of 2022 Richard D. Cudahy Writing Competition
May 16, 2022
InBrief Blog
The Right to Unionize in this Country is Pivotal to Protecting Workers’ Rights
April 13, 2022
press release
April 7, 2022
InBrief Blog
This Country is in Dire Need of New Campaign Finance and Disclosure Laws
March 31, 2022
press release
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to Appear at ACS 2022 National Convention
March 24, 2022
InBrief Blog
Remembering Breonna Taylor as Work Continues for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation
March 11, 2022
press release
ACS Applauds President Biden's Historic Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
February 25, 2022
podcast
Episode 37: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Senate Confirmation Process
February 15, 2022
InBrief Blog
Black History Month is a Time to Celebrate, Continue Fight for Multiracial Democracy
February 3, 2022
press release
American Constitution Society statement on Justice Breyer's Retirement
January 26, 2022
press highlights
Supreme Court lets Texas abortion law continue but says providers can sue
January 7, 2022
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The Way Forward on Supreme Court Reform: Debriefing the Presidential Commission Report
December 20, 2021
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The Way Forward on Supreme Court Reform: Debriefing the Presidential Commission Report
December 20, 2021
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SCOTUS SB8 Decision Continues To Deprive Pregnant People of Constitutional Right
December 10, 2021
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December 8, 2021
press release
December 8, 2021
InBrief Blog
The Right’s Court Packing Got Us Here; SCOTUS Reform is Needed to Preserve Constitutional Rights
December 3, 2021
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SCOTUS Hearing on MS Abortion Ban Highlights the Damage Done by Right’s Court Packing
December 1, 2021
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Guilty Verdict for the Killers of Ahmaud Arbery an Aberration of Our Legal System
November 24, 2021
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Rittenhouse Verdict Emblematic of Systemic Issues In Our Legal System
November 19, 2021
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Foxes and Henhouses: Restoring Oversight and Accountability A Year After the 2020 Election
November 18, 2021
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Foxes and Henhouses: Restoring Oversight and Accountability A Year After the 2020 Election
November 18, 2021
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Former senator on a mission to change the way Supreme Court justices are selected
November 10, 2021
InBrief Blog
We Must Continue to Raise Our Voices to Protect Our Constitutional Rights
November 5, 2021
press highlights
Americans no longer have faith in the US supreme court. That has justices worried
October 22, 2021
InBrief Blog
This is Why ACS is Calling for Urgent and Specific Supreme Court Reforms
October 22, 2021
InBrief Blog
Truth Telling is Critical to Addressing Legal System’s Failings Toward Indigenous Peoples
October 15, 2021
press release
ACS’s Statement on the President’s Commission on the Supreme Court’s Release of Discussion Materials
October 14, 2021
press release
ACS’s Statement of Support for Black Lives Matter at School Day of Action
October 14, 2021
InBrief Blog
‘State Secrets’ Case Will Highlight SCOTUS’ Willingness to Protect Fundamental Liberties
October 7, 2021
press release
ACS’s Statement on First Day of Historic & Consequential New SCOTUS Term
October 4, 2021
press highlights
In the Wake of the January 6 Attacks, Will Congress and the Administration Heed the Lessons of 9/11?
September 20, 2021
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9/11 Changed How We Think About Our Privacy — Only 1 U.S. Senator Saw How That Was Dangerous
September 13, 2021
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ACS Statement on Revelations Surrounding FBI's Handling Of Kavanaugh Investigation
July 22, 2021
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ACS Announces Creation of Award in Honor of late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
June 8, 2021
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ACS Commemorates the Life & Legacy of George Floyd on the One-Year Anniversary of His Murder
May 25, 2021
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American Constitution Society Celebrates Resilient and Dedicated Class of 2021
May 21, 2021
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ACS President Urges Court Reform Commission to Act with Urgency, Prioritize Specific Recommendations
May 19, 2021
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ACS President Welcomes New Biden Judicial Nominees & Stresses Urgent Need To Fill Vacancies
April 29, 2021
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ACS President Says SCOTUS Presidential Commission Needs to Operate with Urgency
April 9, 2021
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ACS President: First Judicial Nominees "A Positive First Step to Rebuilding Our Judiciary"
March 30, 2021
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ACS at 20: Honoring Two Decades of Shaping Debate, Building the Network, and Making a Difference
February 19, 2021
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February 18, 2021
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ACS at 20: Honoring Two Decades of Shaping Debate, Building the Network, and Making a Difference
February 18, 2021
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ACS DC: Expanding the Judiciary and Other Responses to the Right's Unprecedented Power Grab
February 9, 2021
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American Constitution Society Encourages Employers to Respect Workers' Rights
February 5, 2021
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Thousands of law school alumni and students push for disbarment of Sens. Hawley and Cruz
January 21, 2021
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Trump and his supporters’ insurrection is a crime, not a political debate
January 21, 2021
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On MLK Jr. Day, We Commit to Work to Find Solutions to Persisting Racial Inequality
January 17, 2021
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Killing of Corey Johnson, Dustin Higgs Cements Administration’s Cruel, Deadly and Racist Legacy
January 15, 2021
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January 14, 2021
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ACS President Condemns Execution of Lisa Montgomery, First Woman Executed by U.S. in 67 Years
January 13, 2021
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ACS President Offers Condolences on Passing of Former Wisconsin Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson
December 21, 2020
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November 20, 2020
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Is the End in Sight? The Questionable Future of Capital Punishment in America
November 19, 2020
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Is the End in Sight? The Questionable Future of Capital Punishment in America
November 19, 2020
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Opinion: Campaigns Are Rewarded For Winning, Not Being Cost-Effective
November 9, 2020
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Supreme Court Confirmation is Stealing the Future of Generations to Come
October 11, 2020
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Not Now: Trump and McConnell Must Halt Their Dangerous Rush to Ram Through a Nominee
October 8, 2020
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Roberts Court Conservatives Use ‘Shadow Docket’ to Shut Down Voting Rights Suits
October 8, 2020
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What Trump Pick Amy Coney Barrett Could Mean for Future of the Supreme Court
October 7, 2020
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October 7, 2020
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What Trump Pick Amy Coney Barrett Could Mean for Future of the Supreme Court
October 7, 2020
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How Ginsburg’s Death Is Energizing Liberals to Care About the Supreme Court
October 7, 2020
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What’s Next?: The Stakes for Filling Justice Ginsburg’s Supreme Court Vacancy
September 30, 2020
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Rushed Nomination Amid Election and Pandemic Threatens Supreme Court's Legitimacy
September 26, 2020
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Christopher Vialva is First Man in 70 Years to be Executed for Crimes Committed as a Teenager
September 24, 2020
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William LeCroy's Execution Part of "Stunning and Disturbing Trends"
September 22, 2020
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September 17, 2020
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September 17, 2020
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ACS President Says Americans Deserve Fair-Minded Supreme Court Justices
September 9, 2020
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On 100th Anniversary of 19th Amendment, ACS Honors Those Who Fought for the Vote
August 18, 2020
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July 16, 2020
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June 26, 2020
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June 18, 2020
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American Constitution Society Announces David Adeleye as Newest Student Board Member
June 11, 2020
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American Constitution Society to Observe National Day of Mourning Thursday
June 2, 2020
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American Constitution Society Honors Future Progressive Leaders With Virtual Graduation Ceremony
May 26, 2020
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American Constitution Society Unveils New Tool To Track Race, Ethnicity and Gender of Federal Judges
March 9, 2020
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ACS Chicago: Today’s Challenges to a Functional Congress: Revitalizing Article I
March 15, 2019