American Constitution Society Taps Former White House Senior Counsel as New President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Rodriguez, media@acslaw.org

Washington, D.C.  – Today, the American Constitution Society announced Phil Brest –-the former White House Senior Counsel who directed the Biden administration’s judicial confirmations -- as its new President.

The American Constitution Society is the leading progressive, legal nonprofit with 250 student and lawyer chapters across the country.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Phil join us at this pivotal time – for ACS and for our country,” said ACS Board Chair Roscoe Jones Jr. “Under Phil’s leadership, ACS will be a driving force for a stronger democracy, a fairer justice system, and a renewed commitment to the rule of law that works for everyone.”

“I am honored to have been selected to lead the American Constitution Society,” Brest said. “ACS must meet the moment—standing up for the rule of law, defending our freedoms, and calling out efforts to subvert our constitutional order. It’s critical that we continue to safeguard our democracy and to support the judges, lawyers, and others who work tirelessly to preserve our civil rights and liberties. But we must also prepare for the future. We will strengthen ACS’s nationwide network and prepare and empower the next generation of legal minds. Above all, we must ensure that our institutions—from Congress to the courts—recognize and protect the rights of all Americans, including the most vulnerable among us.”

“Phil’s substantial legal and judicial experience and his track record with progressive issues and policies makes him an ideal choice as ACS begins a new chapter ahead of its 25^th Anniversary,” said Ambassador (ret.) Keith Harper, Chair of the ACS Board’s Presidential Search Committee.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who served on the search committee and was a founding ACS Board member, said Brest is an exciting choice at a time when the law and judiciary are under attack. “Lawyers have to be leaders in the fight to protect the rule of law and our legal system,” he said. “That is the foundation of everything that makes our nation exceptional. Phil understands the critical nature of this moment and is equally invested in ensuring ACS’s longevity and position as a progressive legal thought leader in the years to come.”

Members of the progressive legal and nonprofit communities praised Brest’s selection as ACS President.

“Phil understands the critical role that judges play in upholding our freedoms. His experience with and commitment to building a fairer, more representative Judiciary will be a tremendous asset to ACS and the entire progressive legal movement,” said Marge Baker, Executive Vice President of People for the American Way.

Vanita Gupta, the first civil rights lawyer to serve as the Associate Attorney General of the United States, said this of Brest’s appointment: "In his time on the Hill and in the White House, Phil not only understood the importance of building coalitions - he did so effectively. I know he will work to ensure that ACS is a big tent of law students, lawyers, and leaders who are committed to the rule of law and equal justice, and that this coalition drives real, meaningful change in our legal system.”

In his time in the Office of the White House Counsel, Brest helped lead efforts to confirm 235 Article III judges—the most by any Presidential administration in nearly five decades.

Before joining the Biden White House, Brest spent six years working for the Senate Judiciary Committee, most recently as Chief Counsel for Nominations and Senior Advisor to U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill). He led the Senate’s confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and nearly 100 federal judges. He previously served in a variety of roles for the late U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), including as her Acting Staff Director, where he oversaw the Judiciary Committee’s work on civil rights, intellectual property, national security, and other matters within the Committee’s jurisdiction.

Prior to joining the Judiciary Committee staff, Brest spent several years as an attorney specializing in white collar criminal investigations. Working for two different large law firms, Brest focused on representing clients in cases brought under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and in various banking, antitrust, accounting, and pharmaceutical investigations. He clerked for Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar on the California Supreme Court, where he advised the Justice on civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional legal matters.

Brest received his A.B. magna cum laude from Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences, and his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served on the Stanford Law Review.

Brest will assume his role as ACS President on January 5, 2026. Zinelle October, who has been serving as Interim President, will resume her previous role as Executive Vice President.

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AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
The American Constitution Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, our mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other historically excluded communities. For more information, visit us at www.acslaw.org