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Brennan Center for Justice
| Brennan Center for Justice | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | New York Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Top official: | Michael Waldman |
| Year founded: | 1995 |
| Website: | Official website |
The Brennan Center for Justice is a nonprofit law and policy institute at the New York University (NYU) School of Law. According to its website, the Brennan Center for Justice "works to build an America that is democratic, just, and free — for all." The organization describes itself as a think tank, advocacy group, and communications hub.[1]
Background
The Brennan Center for Justice was founded in 1995 by family and former clerks of former Supreme Court Justice William Brennan. Michael Waldamn, who served in the Clinton White House, was selected to lead the institute.[2][3][4]
Leadership
As of July 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at the Brennan Center for Justice:[5]
- Michael Waldman, President and CEO Office of the President
- John Anthony, Chief Operating Officer Finance & Operations
- Jeanine Chirlin, Chief of Staff Office of the President
- Kareem Crayton, Vice President, Washington, DC Office of the President
- Jaemin Kim, Vice President Development
- John F. Kowal, Vice President, Program Initiatives
- Chisun Lee, Deputy Executive Director
- Christine Mellampe, Chief Human Resources Officer Human Resources
- Elisa Miller, General Counsel
- Lawrence Norden, Vice President Elections & Government
- Wendy R. Weiser, Vice President Democracy
- Pinky Weitzman, Vice President Communications
Work and activities
As of July 2025, the Brennan Center for Justice listed the following as policy issues they address:[6]
| “ |
Voting Rights Defend Our Elections Gerrymandering & Fair Representation Reform Money in Politics Strengthen Our Courts End Mass Incarceration Protect Liberty & Security Bolster Checks & Balances Advance Constitutional Change |
” |
Legislative and policy work
New York judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in New York
The institute was involved in a challenge to New York's judicial selection laws in 2007. The Brennan Center for Justice, along with pro bono counsel Arnold & Porter LLP and Jenner & Block LLP, argued that New York's method of judicial selection was unconstitutional because it didn't allow the people to vote for who represents them. The case, Lopez Torres v. New York State Board of Elections, started after the refusal of party officials to nominate Judge Margarita López Torres to the New York Supreme Court. In February 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the case.[8][9]
In an article a year later, The New York Times reported that a federal appeals court decision declared New York State’s judicial nominating system unconstitutional. Judge López Torres said, “I wasn’t happy when the U.S. Supreme Court took the case, and after sitting through the oral arguments in October, I didn’t have the feeling that we were going to win. It was a disappointment, but I’m not a cynical person. Usually judicial elections are under the radar, so if there’s one thing my case has accomplished, it’s been to open a dialogue on an open secret.”[10] Frederick A.O. Schwarz, Jr., Senior Counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice, said of the case: "The plaintiffs are considering further litigation options. In the meantime, we urge the political, civic, and bar leaders who stood up for reform to continue to stand with us, demanding legislation that will end the closed process, which has, for too long, undermined public confidence in New York's courts."[11]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Finances
The following is a breakdown of the Brennan Center for Justice's revenues and expenses from 2011 to 2024. The information comes from ProPublica
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $6.8 million | $6.6 million |
| 2012 | $10.2 million | $7.6 million |
| 2013 | $9.4 million | $10.4 million |
| 2014 | $8.9 million | $11.0 million |
| 2015 | $15.2 million | $12.4 million |
| 2016 | $14.2 million | $13.5 million |
| 2017 | $24.1 million | $14.9 million |
| 2018 | $23.7 million | $17.7 million |
| 2019 | $26.2 million | $22.1 million |
| 2020 | $84.5 million | $25.8 million |
| 2021 | $101.3 million | $30.9 million |
| 2022 | $45.1 million | $33.3 million |
| 2023 | $110.5 million | $41.7 million |
| 2024 | $57.9 million | $50.6 million |
See also
External links
- Brennan Center for Justice official website
- Brennan Center for Justice on Facebook
- Brennan Center for Justice on Bluesky
- Brennan Center for Justice on YouTube
- Brennan Center for Justice on Instagram
- Brennan Center for Justice on TikTok
- Brennan Center for Justice on Substack
- Brennan Center for Justice on Instagram
Footnotes
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Mission & Impact," accessed July 22, 2025
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "About the Brennan Center for Justice," accessed March 11, 2015
- ↑ University of Chicago, The Law School, "The Living Constitution," accessed March 20, 2015
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Michael Waldman Bio," accessed March 20, 2015
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Leadership," accessed July 22, 2025
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Issues," accessed July 22, 2025
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Lopez Torres v. NYS Board of Elections," January 16, 2008
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "U.S. Judge Overturns New York State Judicial Election Process in Brennan Center Lawsuit," January 27, 2006
- ↑ The New York Times, "Blazing a Trail, and Following Her Own Sense of What’s Right," January 25, 2008
- ↑ Brennan Center for Justice, "Plaintiff's Counsel on Supreme Court Decision in Lopez Torres v. NYS Board of Elections," January 16, 2008
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