Dear CEO Supporters,
As part of CEO’s 5th Annual Civil Rights Fellowship, our fellows spent their second session diving deep into the foundational principles that shape American liberty. Following our opening session on post-Civil War constitutional amendments led by Gail Heriot and Maimon Schwarzschild, the class gathered for a special presentation and discussion led by Senior Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on “All Men Are Created Equal”: The Contested Relevance of the Declaration Today.
Having prominent jurists engage directly with our fellows is a cornerstone of the CEO Civil Rights Fellowship. From hosting Fifth Circuit Judge James Ho in previous years to learning from Judge Ginsburg this year, CEO remains committed to placing our aspiring lawyers and rising leaders in direct dialogue with the nation’s top legal minds. These interactions offer young leaders rare, candid insights into judicial philosophy and the role of the courts.
The session began with an introduction and screening of Judge Ginsburg’s documentary, We Hold These Truths: The Global Quest for Liberty. The film explores the origins and widespread viewership of the Declaration of Independence, highlighting the surprising worldwide influence of its core promise: that all people possess fundamental rights to freedom, equality, and government by consent.
Following the viewing, CEO hosted a wide-ranging conversation with Judge Ginsburg. He shared his career trajectory from academia to the executive branch and onto the D.C. Circuit, offering key lessons on the role of administrative law and the D.C. Circuit Court. During an engaging Q&A, fellows asked thought-provoking questions regarding the legal standing and contested relevance of the Declaration today, as well as advice for navigating a career in law.
Connecting constitutional foundations to modern legal challenges is essential for training the next generation of civil rights leaders. Providing our fellows with direct access to figures like Judge Ginsburg ensures they leave Washington equipped to champion equality under the law grounded in original principles.
Thank you for your continued support of CEO and our efforts to develop future legal leaders.
Sincerely,
Rudy Gersten
Executive Director
You can watch the full feature documentary directly on YouTube via We Hold These Truths: The Global Quest for Liberty.
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