Preserving the rights and freedoms of all in America and protecting our judiciary
Our Vision
The Constitutional Accountability Center envisions a future in which judges, policymakers, academics, advocates, and the public understand the Constitution, in its most vital respects, to be a progressive document, and always apply the text, history, and values of the whole Constitution to resolve disputes over its meaning. We believe that recognizing the Constitution’s arc of progress, and reflecting that arc in law and policy more broadly, is key to our nation’s future. We believe that such work will help close the gaps between the law’s promise and the law’s reality in the lives of all in America.
Our Mission
The Constitutional Accountability Center is dedicated to fulfilling the inherently progressive promise of the Constitution’s text, history, and values. The Constitution is our national charter, amended over the generations to become more just, equitable, and inclusive. As a nonprofit law firm and think tank, we work in our courts, through our government, and with legal scholars to make real the rights and freedoms the Constitution provides for all in America, with meaningful justice and equality for all.
Our Commitment
At the Constitutional Accountability Center, we view the Constitution as an inherently progressive document—amended over the generations to become more just, equitable, and inclusive. To make real the promises of our national charter, we must honor and celebrate different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds, and especially the contributions of historically marginalized communities. As an organization, we make every effort to live by these ideals and help create the conditions that will allow all individuals and communities to thrive.
We are committed to the recruitment, development, and retention of talented and diverse staff who believe in true justice and equality for all people. CAC is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly encourage people who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latino/Latina or Latinx, Asian American or Pacific Islander, and from other underrepresented communities to join us.
Key Facts
Leadership
Amicus Briefs Filed
Practitioners
Testimonial
Our History
Constitutional Accountability Center was launched in 2008 by the late Doug Kendall to build on the work of our predecessor organization, Community Rights Counsel. CRC was a public interest law firm that promoted constitutional principles in defense of laws that make our communities environmentally sound and socially just. CAC was founded to push beyond environmental justice to promote the progressive promise of the whole Constitution’s text and history.
Our Method
Combined, honest textualism and principled originalism—text and history—constitute CAC’s method and form the essential foundation for assessing constitutional accountability. Click to learn more about our method.