S2, Episode 14: An Interview with Paul Clement

An Interview with Paul Clement, Appellate Lawyer and Distinguished Lecturer in Law

The U.S. Constitution has long been revered by its citizens, yet also robustly challenged. Knowing that it would be tested, the founders created the judiciary to serve as an independent bulwark that would protect Americans’ rights.

Yet the judiciary’s independence has often been called into question lately, in part due to the country’s ideological divide. Further, until recently, some of its authority had been ceded to the executive branch, creating an explosion of government regulation and intrusion into citizens’ daily lives.

Few understand the state of the judiciary and the U.S. Constitution better than Paul Clement, our guest on this episode of Voices of Freedom. Clement has argued more cases before the Supreme Court than anyone in recent history, giving him distinct insights into future of the Court and the most impactful rulings of our time.

Topics Discussed on this Episode:

• How Clement’s midwestern roots have influenced his approach with the Court
• The significance of the rule of law in America and how it’s distinctive from other countries
• The danger in straying from the U.S. Constitution’s intent
• State of the U.S. Supreme Court
• Court packing - its impact on the rule of law and the Court’s make up
• How the reversal of Chevron will impact government regulation
• What universities should do to protect free speech and counter anti-Semitism
• The legal profession distancing itself from controversial cases
• How Americans can understand and uphold the rule of law

Paul Clement served as the 43rd Solicitor General of the United States between 2005 and 2008. Prior to that, he served as Acting Solicitor General and as Principal Deputy Solicitor General. He is a partner at Clement & Murphy and a Bradley Foundation director. Clement is a 2013 Bradley Prize recipient.