Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg appears at the Temple Emanu-El Skirball Center on Sept. 21, 2016 in New York City. (Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images)
Ginsburg Institute for Justice Needed for Our Depleted Democracy
Is there any better way to compliment Justice Ginsburg’s legacy and carry forward her foundational work for the American people?"
Jean Monnet - a founder of the European Union once said: "Nothing is possible without men, but nothing is lasting without institutions."
I'm reminded of his observation each time our country loses a "just" Supreme Court Justice. So, what will follow after the few days of prominent encomiums at memorial events and editorial praise of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Historians will record her decisions, writings, and advocacy. Many people will celebrate her groundbreaking contributions to equal rights for women and other civil rights. Justice Ginsburg's fervent admirers, however, should look not only at past accomplishments but to creative ways to build on a great and enduring legacy.
Several years ago, I tried to interest some of Justice John Paul Stevens' former law clerks (many of whom became successful lawyers) to enlist their colleagues in establishing a "John Paul Stevens Institute for Justice." In 2014, retired Justice Stevens, at age 94, had just published another book - Six Amendments: How And Why We Should Change The Constitution. This book was then the latest product in his vigorous retirement period of writings and addresses.
I wrote to Justice Stevens urging him to give a nod to his 100 or more clerks, many of whom were wealthy attorneys. He was too modest. A few former clerks showed interest, but not to the point of initiating action.
A similar attempt to persuade supporters of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor fell flat. At the time, she was pressing hard for full legal aid for poor people seeking justice and real civic education in the nation's elementary and secondary schools.
After she retired from the Court, she criticized the 2010 Supreme Court decision - Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission - that opened the floodgates for corporate campaign cash. Her former clerks did not envision an "Institute for Justice" in honor of their adored mentor. Justice O'Connor was also honest enough to publicly acknowledge regret about her vote in the 5-4 decision to install George W. Bush as president.
Was I just engaging in fanciful dreaming about adding these new institutional oak trees for justice to replenish our depleting democratic forest? Not at all. A vibrant Brennan Center for Justice has been on the ramparts for justice since 1995. Located at New York University Law School, it was founded by the family and former law clerks of Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, who was nominated to the Court by President Eisenhower.
With an annual budget of $26 million, the tough Brennan Center for Justice has produced a remarkable output on ways to advance improvements in criminal justice, electoral procedures, and broader public participation in the circles of power.
The Center has been described as "part think-tank, part public interest law firm [that litigates] and part communications hub," working to advance "equal justice for all."
It started when one former law clerk stepped up, followed by more who joined the effort to create this institutional tribute to Justice Brennan. Together, they raised the seed money and this new institution was launched to implement the law as if people mattered first and foremost.
The same kind of institution can be created quickly, should Justice Ginsburg's over 100 law clerks, from her many years as a federal circuit court judge and as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, heed Jean Monnet's words.
Given the immense goodwill and unprecedented popular fame of Justice Ginsburg, especially among women, as a pioneering lawyer and jurist, raising the basic funding should be easy. Moreover, foundations would line up to back this initiative and its projects.
For this to happen, the energy from the huge outpouring of accolades since her passing on September 18, 2020, need to be promptly transformed into an operating vision and not left as a nostalgic memory.
Some of the former law clerks who could form the core group are Amanda L. Tyler, professor of law at the University of California-Berkeley; Kelsi Corkran, who heads the Supreme Court practice at a large law firm; Ruthanne Deutsch, an appellate litigator; Elizabeth Prelogar, a Supreme Court and appellate litigator; Trevor W. Morrison, Dean of New York University School of Law; Neil S. Siegel, professor of law and political science at Duke University School of Law; Paul Schiff Berman, professor of law at George Washington University Law School; and many others who revered and were so inspired by the feisty, resilient, kind Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
I'm sure that Brennan Center's president, Michael Waldman, would be pleased to share his experience in furthering such a noble and lasting mission.
Is there any better way to compliment Justice Ginsburg's legacy and carry forward her foundational work for the American people? It is really entirely in the hands of Justice Ginsburg's admirers to accomplish this worthy goal.
Perhaps the creation of the Ginsburg Institute for Justice will jumpstart the now influential former clerks of Justice Stevens and Justice O'Connor to follow the example of Justice Brennan's clerks. It is never too late for more institutional infusions toward a just society.
Urgent. It's never been this bad.
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission from the outset was simple. To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It’s never been this bad out there. And it’s never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed and doing some of its best and most important work, the threats we face are intensifying. Right now, with just two days to go in our Spring Campaign, we're falling short of our make-or-break goal. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Can you make a gift right now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? There is no backup plan or rainy day fund. There is only you. —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Jean Monnet - a founder of the European Union once said: "Nothing is possible without men, but nothing is lasting without institutions."
I'm reminded of his observation each time our country loses a "just" Supreme Court Justice. So, what will follow after the few days of prominent encomiums at memorial events and editorial praise of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Historians will record her decisions, writings, and advocacy. Many people will celebrate her groundbreaking contributions to equal rights for women and other civil rights. Justice Ginsburg's fervent admirers, however, should look not only at past accomplishments but to creative ways to build on a great and enduring legacy.
Several years ago, I tried to interest some of Justice John Paul Stevens' former law clerks (many of whom became successful lawyers) to enlist their colleagues in establishing a "John Paul Stevens Institute for Justice." In 2014, retired Justice Stevens, at age 94, had just published another book - Six Amendments: How And Why We Should Change The Constitution. This book was then the latest product in his vigorous retirement period of writings and addresses.
I wrote to Justice Stevens urging him to give a nod to his 100 or more clerks, many of whom were wealthy attorneys. He was too modest. A few former clerks showed interest, but not to the point of initiating action.
A similar attempt to persuade supporters of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor fell flat. At the time, she was pressing hard for full legal aid for poor people seeking justice and real civic education in the nation's elementary and secondary schools.
After she retired from the Court, she criticized the 2010 Supreme Court decision - Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission - that opened the floodgates for corporate campaign cash. Her former clerks did not envision an "Institute for Justice" in honor of their adored mentor. Justice O'Connor was also honest enough to publicly acknowledge regret about her vote in the 5-4 decision to install George W. Bush as president.
Was I just engaging in fanciful dreaming about adding these new institutional oak trees for justice to replenish our depleting democratic forest? Not at all. A vibrant Brennan Center for Justice has been on the ramparts for justice since 1995. Located at New York University Law School, it was founded by the family and former law clerks of Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, who was nominated to the Court by President Eisenhower.
With an annual budget of $26 million, the tough Brennan Center for Justice has produced a remarkable output on ways to advance improvements in criminal justice, electoral procedures, and broader public participation in the circles of power.
The Center has been described as "part think-tank, part public interest law firm [that litigates] and part communications hub," working to advance "equal justice for all."
It started when one former law clerk stepped up, followed by more who joined the effort to create this institutional tribute to Justice Brennan. Together, they raised the seed money and this new institution was launched to implement the law as if people mattered first and foremost.
The same kind of institution can be created quickly, should Justice Ginsburg's over 100 law clerks, from her many years as a federal circuit court judge and as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, heed Jean Monnet's words.
Given the immense goodwill and unprecedented popular fame of Justice Ginsburg, especially among women, as a pioneering lawyer and jurist, raising the basic funding should be easy. Moreover, foundations would line up to back this initiative and its projects.
For this to happen, the energy from the huge outpouring of accolades since her passing on September 18, 2020, need to be promptly transformed into an operating vision and not left as a nostalgic memory.
Some of the former law clerks who could form the core group are Amanda L. Tyler, professor of law at the University of California-Berkeley; Kelsi Corkran, who heads the Supreme Court practice at a large law firm; Ruthanne Deutsch, an appellate litigator; Elizabeth Prelogar, a Supreme Court and appellate litigator; Trevor W. Morrison, Dean of New York University School of Law; Neil S. Siegel, professor of law and political science at Duke University School of Law; Paul Schiff Berman, professor of law at George Washington University Law School; and many others who revered and were so inspired by the feisty, resilient, kind Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
I'm sure that Brennan Center's president, Michael Waldman, would be pleased to share his experience in furthering such a noble and lasting mission.
Is there any better way to compliment Justice Ginsburg's legacy and carry forward her foundational work for the American people? It is really entirely in the hands of Justice Ginsburg's admirers to accomplish this worthy goal.
Perhaps the creation of the Ginsburg Institute for Justice will jumpstart the now influential former clerks of Justice Stevens and Justice O'Connor to follow the example of Justice Brennan's clerks. It is never too late for more institutional infusions toward a just society.
Jean Monnet - a founder of the European Union once said: "Nothing is possible without men, but nothing is lasting without institutions."
I'm reminded of his observation each time our country loses a "just" Supreme Court Justice. So, what will follow after the few days of prominent encomiums at memorial events and editorial praise of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Historians will record her decisions, writings, and advocacy. Many people will celebrate her groundbreaking contributions to equal rights for women and other civil rights. Justice Ginsburg's fervent admirers, however, should look not only at past accomplishments but to creative ways to build on a great and enduring legacy.
Several years ago, I tried to interest some of Justice John Paul Stevens' former law clerks (many of whom became successful lawyers) to enlist their colleagues in establishing a "John Paul Stevens Institute for Justice." In 2014, retired Justice Stevens, at age 94, had just published another book - Six Amendments: How And Why We Should Change The Constitution. This book was then the latest product in his vigorous retirement period of writings and addresses.
I wrote to Justice Stevens urging him to give a nod to his 100 or more clerks, many of whom were wealthy attorneys. He was too modest. A few former clerks showed interest, but not to the point of initiating action.
A similar attempt to persuade supporters of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor fell flat. At the time, she was pressing hard for full legal aid for poor people seeking justice and real civic education in the nation's elementary and secondary schools.
After she retired from the Court, she criticized the 2010 Supreme Court decision - Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission - that opened the floodgates for corporate campaign cash. Her former clerks did not envision an "Institute for Justice" in honor of their adored mentor. Justice O'Connor was also honest enough to publicly acknowledge regret about her vote in the 5-4 decision to install George W. Bush as president.
Was I just engaging in fanciful dreaming about adding these new institutional oak trees for justice to replenish our depleting democratic forest? Not at all. A vibrant Brennan Center for Justice has been on the ramparts for justice since 1995. Located at New York University Law School, it was founded by the family and former law clerks of Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, who was nominated to the Court by President Eisenhower.
With an annual budget of $26 million, the tough Brennan Center for Justice has produced a remarkable output on ways to advance improvements in criminal justice, electoral procedures, and broader public participation in the circles of power.
The Center has been described as "part think-tank, part public interest law firm [that litigates] and part communications hub," working to advance "equal justice for all."
It started when one former law clerk stepped up, followed by more who joined the effort to create this institutional tribute to Justice Brennan. Together, they raised the seed money and this new institution was launched to implement the law as if people mattered first and foremost.
The same kind of institution can be created quickly, should Justice Ginsburg's over 100 law clerks, from her many years as a federal circuit court judge and as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, heed Jean Monnet's words.
Given the immense goodwill and unprecedented popular fame of Justice Ginsburg, especially among women, as a pioneering lawyer and jurist, raising the basic funding should be easy. Moreover, foundations would line up to back this initiative and its projects.
For this to happen, the energy from the huge outpouring of accolades since her passing on September 18, 2020, need to be promptly transformed into an operating vision and not left as a nostalgic memory.
Some of the former law clerks who could form the core group are Amanda L. Tyler, professor of law at the University of California-Berkeley; Kelsi Corkran, who heads the Supreme Court practice at a large law firm; Ruthanne Deutsch, an appellate litigator; Elizabeth Prelogar, a Supreme Court and appellate litigator; Trevor W. Morrison, Dean of New York University School of Law; Neil S. Siegel, professor of law and political science at Duke University School of Law; Paul Schiff Berman, professor of law at George Washington University Law School; and many others who revered and were so inspired by the feisty, resilient, kind Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
I'm sure that Brennan Center's president, Michael Waldman, would be pleased to share his experience in furthering such a noble and lasting mission.
Is there any better way to compliment Justice Ginsburg's legacy and carry forward her foundational work for the American people? It is really entirely in the hands of Justice Ginsburg's admirers to accomplish this worthy goal.
Perhaps the creation of the Ginsburg Institute for Justice will jumpstart the now influential former clerks of Justice Stevens and Justice O'Connor to follow the example of Justice Brennan's clerks. It is never too late for more institutional infusions toward a just society.