The reception was held to coincide with the annual national conference of the Association of American Law Schools conducted in San Francisco on January 5 through January 7, and provided an opportunity for legal scholars, professors, attorneys, law students and advocates from across the country to learn more about EJS and the American Constitution Society.

Lisa Brown, Executive Director of ACS, described the key role of ACS in encouraging law students to make their views known on issues such as judicial nominations and appointments in this "critical time in our nation's political history."

Eva Paterson, President, Equal Justice Society, echoed Brown's call for the need for public education and critical attention on judicial nominations. Paterson urged everyone to advocate forcefully for a progressive perspective because "the stakes are high and the outcomes will last for a lifetime" Paterson said she viewed the combined efforts of ACS and EJS as an important part of a large-scale, national leadership to ensure that an impartial judiciary remains a possibility.

Paul Smith, ACS Board Member, Managing Partner of Jenner & Block in Washington, D.C., spoke of his experience as counsel in Texas v. Lawrence, in which plaintiffs prevailed in challenging the constitutionality of the Texas sodomy statute.

California Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, 14th Assembly District, encouraged support for institutions like ACS and EJS, and cited efforts in the California Legislature to move a progressive policy agenda at a time when many rights and social programs are increasingly coming under siege.