“Dear ACS Member,

I am writing to ask for your help.

As you may have heard from recent news reports, members of the American Constitution Society were among those victimized by politicized hiring at the Department of Justice under Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales.

A report by DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility details how highly qualified attorneys and law students who applied for the Department’s summer intern and career honors program — the exclusive means by which DOJ hires recent law school graduates and judicial law clerks without prior experience into career, not political, positions — were rejected because of their association with “liberal” organizations, including ACS.  This discrimination was contrary to Department policy, unlawful, inexcusable and sends the wrong message to those eager to engage in public service.  Hundreds of ACS members have served proudly in past administrations, both Democratic and Republican.

As part of our effort to help restore the integrity of the Department of Justice, ACS is gathering personal accounts of ACS members who were the victims of discrimination.  If you have a personal story, or are aware of someone who does, we would very much like to hear from you.  We will then forward these accounts to the appropriate congressional committees with oversight of the Justice Department.

Thank you for your support of ACS and your commitment to justice and the rule of law.

Sincerely,

Lisa Brown
Executive Director”