Stanford Law School's Constitution Day 2025 brought together leading legal scholars to explore the enduring debate over how to interpret the U.S. Constitution. Held on September 26 in Paul Brest Hall, the event featured J. Joel Alicea, the St. Robert Bellarmine Professor of Law at Catholic Law, and Rebecca Brown, professor at USC Gould School of Law, in a discussion moderated by Michael McConnell, director of the Stanford Constitutional Law Center. Alicea argued for originalism, emphasizing the importance of interpreting the Constitution as it was understood at the time of ratification to honor the authority of the people who enacted it. Brown, advocating for a progressive approach, highlighted the need for constitutional principles to evolve to meet the demands of self-governance and justice for future generations.

The event, attended by over 170 participants, including students, faculty, and alumni, underscored the shared commitment of both scholars to defending their interpretive theories and promoting democratic self-government. With Paul Brest, the scholar who coined the term "originalism," in attendance, the discussion also examined the tension between adhering to the framers' intentions and adapting constitutional principles to contemporary challenges. This annual event reaffirmed the Constitution's central role in shaping American democracy. [Click here to view the discussion and click here to view the event summary.]