Overview
The Stanford Constitutional Law Center, founded in September 2006 by former dean Kathleen M. Sullivan and now led by Michael W. McConnell, grows out of the long and distinguished tradition of constitutional law scholarship at Stanford Law School. The Center seeks to carry on that tradition by directing attention to the most fundamental questions of constitutional order, especially the allocation and control of governmental power through law. The Center advances this mission through events and activities that foster scholarship, generate public discussion, attempt to transcend ideological divides, and provide opportunities for students to engage in analysis of the Constitution.
Programs
The Center sponsors and hosts a variety of events addressing the most fundamental questions of constitutional order. These include conferences, symposia, lectures, and a series of Constitutional Conversations. These events are intended to promote constitutional discussion and debate within Stanford Law School and beyond. These are reflected in the Center's schedule of past and upcoming events.
Constitutional Litigation
The Center has contributed to the process of constitutional adjudication by assisting in litigation in the nation's courts at both the trial and the appellate level, in both the Federal and State systems. In these cases, students worked under the supervision of faculty who were integrally involved in the Center's litigation efforts.
Challenge to free speech in broadcasting in FCC v. FOX (Supreme Court)
- Decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in favor of Respondents, granting petition for review (June 4, 2007)
- Petition for Writ of Certiorari by the Solicitor General (November 1, 2007)
- Brief of NBC Universal Inc., and NBC Telemundo License Co. Petition for a Writ of Certiorari in opposition to the Second Circuit (February 1, 2008)
- Brief of the Stanford Constitutional Law Center for Amici Named State Broadcasters Associations in support of the Respondents to the U.S. Supreme Court (August 8, 2008)
Challenge to Prison's Withholding of Dietary Accommodations from a Muslim Prisoner in Shakur v. Arizona (Ninth Circuit)
Challenge to Prison's Suppression of an Inmate's First Amendment and Other Constitutional Rights in Gronquist v. Washington (Ninth Circuit)
Challenge to Legislative Restrictions on Issue Advocacy in WRTL v. FEC (Supreme Court)
Challenge to "Millionaires' Amendment" of Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act in Davis v. FEC (Supreme Court)
Challenge to Warrantless Wiretaps in ACLU v. NSA (Sixth Circuit)
- Decision of United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan ruling warrantless wiretapping unconstitutional (August 17, 2006)
- Brief for the Appellants (Government) to the Sixth Circuit in ACLU v. NSA (October 16, 2006)
- Brief for the Appellees (Challengers) to the Sixth Circuit in ACLU v. NSA (November 13, 2006)
- Brief of the Stanford Constitutional Law Center for Amici Constitutional Law Scholars and Former Government Officials to the Sixth Circuit, In Favor of Challengers in ACLU v. NSA (November 17, 2006)
- Reply Brief for the Appellants (Government) to the Sixth Circuit in ACLU v. NSA (December 4, 2006)
Challenge to Denial of Habeas Rights for Guantanamo Detainees in Hamdan II (Supreme Court)
- Petition of Hamdan and Khadr for Review by the U.S. Supreme Court (February 27, 2007)
- Brief of the Stanford Constitutional Law Center for Amici Scholars and Former Government Officials Supporting Petitioners' Request for Review by the Supreme Court (March 29, 2007)
- Brief of the United States Opposing Review by the Supreme Court (March 29, 2007)
Challenge to Warrantless Transfer of Telephone Data to NSA in Hepting v. AT&T (Ninth Circuit)