Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law
Mission: To “hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all.”
Founded by the family of Justice William J. Brennan (active 1956-1990), the Center is celebrating its twentieth anniversary as a nonpartisan law and public policy institute working to strengthen our democracy through a high-powered combination of research, advocacy, and litigation.
Year Founded: 1995 • (646) 292-8310 • brennancenter@nyu.edu • brennancenter.org
Current Democracy Work
The Brennan Center campaigns to limit the influence of big money in politics and enhance the voices of average voters by working directly with policymakers and active citizens in several ways: by helping to create and pass reforms, by defending existing campaign finance laws in the courts, and by advocating for innovative public-financing solutions that elevate the voices of everyday Americans.
Recent Successes
The Brennan Center has played a pivotal role in crafting legislative reforms to limit the power of money in politics, including the Empowering Citizens Act, which was introduced in the House in 2012. The Center has also supported public financing through their work on the Grassroots Democracy and the Fair Elections Now Acts.
Your Entry Points
Attend the Brennan Center’s events and explore its detailed policy proposals, expert analysis, and easy-to-read articles online. Want to get more involved? Apply for one of the Brennan Center’s many fellowship opportunities or, if you are a legal professional, volunteer with the Center on litigation, policy research, and public advocacy. While based in New York City, the Brennan Center works with people across the country and in many different fields.