The Gilbert and Aileen Chuck Fellowship for Law and Liberty

Gilbert and Aileen Chuck had a deep-seated love of country and a strong belief in the importance of the rights enshrined in our founding documents. Aileen, like her father Dr Edwin Kam who was an adviser in both the Reagan and Bush administrations, believed that America’s best hope was in the conservative movement. Aileen continued her father’s philanthropic efforts and donated to many causes, including the American Conservative Union (CPAC). Aileen and Gilbert wanted to ensure that America would remain free. The extremely generous legacy gift that Aileen and Gilbert left to CPAC will impact the lives of numerous Americans for many years to come, including by helping to develop strong conservative lawyers. CPAC is proud to announce the Gilbert & Aileen Chuck Fellowship for Law and Liberty.

The fellowship is designed to instill in law students those values in America’s founding documents that have made this country the greatest engine of human flourishing in history.

“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited constitution.”1

The United States boasts the best legal system in the world – one that is characterized by the rule of law and the presumption of innocence. These fundamentals, however, are under attack as some seek to weaponize the justice system for political gain. Chuck Fellows will learn about the American justice system by engaging in criminal justice advocacy at the state and federal level focused on ensuring that community safety is prioritized while our system meets its lofty goal of fairness for all. Each Fellow will play a vital role in upholding and promoting policies that improve public safety, reduce government cost, and protect human dignity in our justice system.

“. . . to the end it may be a government of laws and not of men.”2

The federal government’s unmitigated expansion over the past century is, perhaps, most clearly seen in the growth of the administrative state. This leviathan has grown to a level unimaginable to the founders, and CPAC is working to whittle it down to size one regulation at a time. The current Administration is using a “whole of government approach” to push its radically progressive agenda of unfettered abortion access, forced DEI, greatly restricted property rights, and economically catastrophic environmental policy utilizing every agency. Chuck Fellows will work with the CPAC Center for Regulatory Freedom to expose these disastrous regulations through public comments submitted during the notice and comment period as well as activating networks of Conservative grassroot supporters to push back against these government overreaches.

“Political scientists, editorial page writers, and cynics often depict judges as doing nothing other than writing their preferences into law. Careful observers of the judiciary do not make that mistake.”3

CPAC often has the opportunity to engage directly with the court system through testimony, amici briefs, and policy making. As CPAC continues to engage on important cases at the state and federal level, Chuck Fellows will have the opportunity to provide input on amici that we submit on cases that impact the freedom of all Americans. As fellows engage in the advocate process, they will gain the ability to write persuasively and, perhaps more importantly, learn how to write in a way that directly addresses the concerns of specific judges that are assigned.

“[I]f everyone enjoyed the unrestricted use of his faculties and the free disposition of the fruits of his labor, social progress, would be ceaseless, uninterrupted, and unfailing.”4

Finally, Chuck Fellows will benefit from the institutional knowledge of the nation’s oldest grassroots advocacy organization. CPAC, founded over fifty years ago by William F. Buckley Jr. as the American Conservative Union has defined conservatism for decades. CPAC defines conservatism as the belief that the greatest level of sovereignty resides in the individual. This definition informs everything that we do. Fellows will work one-on-one with leaders in the conservative movement and will grow intellectually in a stimulating office environment. Not only will Chuck Fellows have the tools to be better lawyers, but better conservatives as well.

The conservative movement is in great need of more principled conservative lawyers who understand what makes America great. CPAC is looking for hardworking and intelligent law students who are willing to answer that call and carry-on the legacy of Gilbert and Aileen Chuck.

1 The Federalist No. 78

2 Mass. Const. art. 30.

3 The Honorable Frank H. Easterbrook, Reading Law: The Interpretation of Legal Texts Forward, xxiii

4 Frederick Bastiat, The Law, p. 5.

Legal Fellows will gain the opportunity to work with all of the CPAC and CPAC Foundation policy centers and projects and will report directly to the CPAC Assistant General Counsel. This is an in-person only position based just outside the nation’s capital in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Work hours are generally between 9am-6pm Monday through Friday. Some flexibility can be accorded to individuals pursuing graduate and law degrees. Fellows may be required to work additional hours at events such as the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) which is held once a year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Contract review

· Legal research and writing about issues that arise in the non-profit legal environment

· Research and drafting during the regulatory process

· Research and advocacy related to criminal justice policy

· Provide additional support as needed during any events that may come up while a fellow

Qualifications and Requirements:

· Passionate about the principles of conservative governance and free enterprise.

· Strong understanding of legislative and political processes.

· Interest in the American regulatory process

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Lexis+

· Strong written and verbal communication skills

Education and Experience:

· Must currently be enrolled in law school

Fellowship Duration and Compensation:

· The length of the paid fellowship is ongoing in nature. While some legal fellows only stay for a semester or a summer, CPAC prides itself on retaining legal fellows that demonstrate a strong work ethic and produce outstanding work. Compensation is competitive and paid hourly.

Job Type: Temporary

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person