Federalist Society
Society logo featuring a silhouette of James Madison | |
| Formation | April 23, 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | University of Chicago |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
| Purpose | Legal advocacy |
Professional title | Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies |
| Location |
|
| Coordinates | 38°54′04″N 77°02′28″W / 38.901°N 77.041°W |
| Membership | ≈70,000 (2019)[1] |
President & CEO | Sheldon Gilbert[2] |
| Budget | Revenue: $21.5 million Expenses: $26.2 million (FYE September 2023)[3] |
| Website | fedsoc |
The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies (FedSoc) is an American conservative and libertarian legal organization that advocates for a textualist and originalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.[4][5][6] Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it has chapters at more than 200 law schools and features student, lawyer, and faculty divisions; the lawyers division comprises more than 70,000 practicing attorneys in ninety cities.[1] Through speaking events, lectures, and other activities, it provides a forum for members of the legal profession, the judiciary, and the legal academy.[7] It is one of the most influential legal organizations in the United States.[8][9]
The Federalist Society was founded in 1982 by a group of students from Yale Law School, Harvard Law School, and the University of Chicago Law School with the aim of challenging liberal or left-wing ideology within elite American law schools and universities. The organization's stated objectives are "checking federal power, protecting individual liberty and interpreting the Constitution according to its original meaning",[1] and it plays a central role in networking and mentoring young conservative lawyers.[5] It vetted President Donald Trump's list of potential U.S. Supreme Court nominees; in March 2020, 43 out of 51 of Trump's appellate court nominees were current or former members of the society.[10]
Of the current nine members of the Supreme Court of the United States, at least five are current or former members of the organization—Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Amy Coney Barrett.[1][11] Chief Justice John Roberts previously served as a member of the steering committee of the Washington, D.C., chapter, but denies ever being a member.[12]
- ^ a b c d Montgomery, David (January 2, 2019). "Conquerors of the Courts". Washington Post Magazine. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
- ^ Kemsley, Tamarra (December 18, 2024). "Federalist Society appoints LDS lawyer as president". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
- ^ "Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies". Nonprofit Explorer. ProPublica. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
holliswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Montgomery, David (January 2, 2019). "Conquerors of the Courts". The Washington Post Magazine.
The conservative and libertarian society for law and public policy studies has reached an unprecedented peak of power and influence.
- ^ Rosen, Jeffrey (May 10, 2013). "Packing the Courts". Sunday Book Review. New York Times. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Fletcher, Michael (July 29, 2005). "What the Federalist Society Stands For". Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
- ^ Farrell, Henry (May 17, 2017). "Trump's values are abhorrent to the Federalist Society of conservative lawyers. That doesn't stop them from helping him". Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ Ruiz, Rebecca R.; Gebeloff, Robert; Eder, Steve; Protess, Ben (March 16, 2020). "A Conservative Agenda Unleashed on the Federal Courts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ "'She's been groomed for this moment': Amy Barrett's Supreme Court preparation began early". Politico. September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ Lane, Charles (July 25, 2005). "Roberts Listed in Federalist Society '97–98 Directory". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved December 5, 2008.