The American Constitution Society has selected nearly two-dozen young legal professionals—including a second-year Indiana University Maurer School of Law student—for its prestigious 2023 Next Generation Leaders Program.
Laura J. Rusk, an Evansville, Ind. native, is one of 23 law students from across the country selected for their exceptional leadership in work with their respective ACS chapters. The program offers various opportunities that empower the students to further develop their leadership skills and make a long-lasting impact on their communities.
“Being a student leader for the American Constitution Society has been a meaningful part of my law school experience and I look forward to remaining involved for many years to come,” Rusk said. “I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of this network of progressive legal professionals that care deeply about democracy, the rule of law, and the Constitution. It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized alongside these truly incredible law students from across the country.”
More than 400 law students have participated in the NGL program since its 2007 inception.
“I’m excited to introduce this accomplished and forward-thinking class of Next Generation Leaders,” said ACS President Russ Feingold. “We are confronting existential challenges to our democracy, and we need young leaders who are committed to promoting a vision of the law that is inclusive, equitable, and just. Our Next Generation Leaders program identifies and develops future progressive lawyers, judges, and policymakers who will work toward ensuring that the law is a force for vindicating our fundamental freedoms and securing the promise of a multiracial democracy. I look forward to working alongside all these dedicated and accomplished leaders who share ACS’s vision for an equitable society.”
Rusk was selected as part of a competitive application process, with the selection committee choosing students who demonstrate strong legal skills, a commitment to public service, and a track record of leadership and community engagement. She is one of only four students from Big Ten law schools that were selected.
Rusk is the 2022-23 president of the Maurer School of Law’s ACS chapter, director of advocacy for the school’s If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice organization, and a notes editor for the Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies.
“We are incredibly proud of Laura’s selection to the ACS Next Generation Leaders program,” said Dean Christiana Ochoa. “She’s been a remarkable student and displayed outstanding leadership skills since she arrived in Bloomington, and we’re excited to watch her develop those skills even further in the coming year and beyond.”