The Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection uses strategic legal advocacy to defend constitutional rights and values while working to restore confidence in the integrity of our governmental institutions.
A non-partisan institute within Georgetown University Law Center, ICAP’s experienced attorneys use novel litigation tools, strategic policy development, and the constitutional scholarship of Georgetown to vindicate individuals’ rights and protect our democratic processes. In an era of politically polarized discourse, ICAP offers vital understandings of the Constitution that draw on a wide range of practical experience, including extensive service in the federal government.
At the heart of ICAP is our litigation, as the courts remain a critical venue for the vindication of constitutional rights. ICAP collaborates with a wide array of litigation partners across the country, including non-profits, law firms, and governmental entities, focused on protecting constitutional rights. Our recent casework includes:
Constitutional dialogue also occurs outside the courts and in the public square. ICAP uses public education to inform and elevate that dialogue, empowering the community with vital understandings of the Constitution based on history, text, and precedent. Through direct engagement with the public in sponsored events as well as through writing and speaking, ICAP heightens and grounds today’s constitutional conversation. ICAP’s lawyers also drive policy change, working with lawmakers at the federal, state, and local levels to help situate their policymaking in constitutional principles and values.
Finally, ICAP plays an important teaching role within Georgetown Law by involving law students in our work. Through a practicum seminar, law students work directly with ICAP attorneys on constitutional impact litigation and related policy efforts. Additionally, ICAP provides litigation and policy support to other centers and institutes within the Georgetown community.
ICAP's Executive Director Mary McCord spoke on "The Growing Threat of Domestic Terrorism & Extremism in the U.S." at an event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Greater Houston and held in the Holocaust Museum there. McCord discussed domestic terrorism, the broader threat from political violence, and the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on extremism in the U.S. Click through to view a recording of the event.
ICAP's Executive Director Mary McCord spoke at "Confronting Hate: Tackling Hate-Fueled Violence as a Threat to Democracy," a panel assessing the threat to democracy posed by hate-fueled violence and exploring how the U.S. Government has responded. The event was co-hosted by ICAP and Georgetown SFS, and is part of the second Summit for Democracy, co-hosted by the United States with the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia. Click through to view a recording of the event.
ICAP brought together six former investigators from the January 6 House Select Committee to discuss their work. They described how extremist paramilitary groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys coalesced around conspiracy theories spread through social media, interacted directly with close advisors to former President Trump, and ultimately—along with thousands of other Americans—mobilized to attack the U.S. Capitol. Click through to view a recording of the event.
