James Wilson Institute on Natural Rights and the American Founding

06/08/2026

JWI is proud to introduce the 2026 James Wilson Summer Fellows! This distinguished group of lawyers, clerks, and law students will gather in Old Town Alexandria this August to spend seven days studying Natural Law and American jurisprudence under the guidance of Co-Directors Hadley Arkes and Gerry Bradley. We are grateful to be partnering for the 2026 Summer Fellowship once again with the First Liberty Institute's The Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy. You can read the brief biographies of the Fellows here:
https://www.jameswilsoninstitute.org/fellowship-classes

Beginning in 2014, the James Wilson Fellowship has now convened sixteen classes. Once the Winter Fellows complete their program in August, they will join a group of almost 250 alumni.

06/04/2026

http://anchoringtruths.org/2026/06/04/billions-riding-on-contract-law-international-law-natural-law-with-michael-fragoso/
Join the Anchoring Truths Podcast for our most recent episode featuring attorney and EPPC Fellow Michael Fragoso for a discussion on a fascinating recent decision of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on contract law, international law, potential impacts on U.S. business. We also delve into philosophical questions on contractual obligations and the Natural Law. Listen now!

A 2026 case in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, covering New York City, presented a fascinating opportunity to discuss the intersection of Natural Law, international law, and contract law on our latest Anchoring Truths Podcast. Petersen Energia Inversora v. YPF (2nd Cir. opinion here) concerns h

06/02/2026

CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Lane, 2021 James Wilson Fellow, on her confirmation by the Senate to become a federal district court judge for the district of Montana! Judge Lane joins Judges Zachary Bluestone (E.D. Mo.) and Jordan Pratt (M.D. Fla.) as James Wilson Fellowship alumni on the federal bench. We wish her much success as she begins her judicial service.

05/22/2026

On Thursday, May 14, the James Wilson Institute and First Liberty Institute's Center for Religion Culture and Democracy hosted a webinar with Professor Patrick Garry of the South Dakota School of Law. As a Senior Fellow of CCRD and an expert on the religion clause of the first amendment, he was the perfect leader for a seminar on the establishment clause.

To learn more about the James Wilson Institute, subscribe or visit https://www.jameswilsoninstitute.org/

05/22/2026

On Thursday, May 14, the James Wilson Institute and First Liberty Institute's Center for Religion Culture and Democracy hosted a webinar with Professor Patrick Garry of the South Dakota School of Law. As a Senior Fellow of CCRD and an expert on the religion clause of the first amendment, he was the perfect leader for a seminar on the establishment clause.

05/20/2026

RIGHT NOW: The Federalist Society Legislative Conference panel on congressional redistricting featuring JWI Fellowship Alum Conor Woodfin, who was integral to Consovoy McCarthy’s litigation team that was successful in the Virginia referendum challenge at the state Supreme Court.

05/19/2026

Delighted to join JWI Senior Fellow Justin Dyer at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for a conference this week on civics sponsored by Jack Miller Center. JWI Managing Director Michael Maibach, Dyer, and Executive Director Garrett Snedeker attended.

05/19/2026

NEW: the latest Anchoring Truths Podcast honors American 250 with an episode on how to pass down the goodness of America through fables. Dr. Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale In DC author of "The American Book of Fables" joins to discuss his new heirloom volume, both a collection of original and reworked fables set across the U.S.

As we continue our commemoration of America 250, we’re inspired to present a variety of different celebrations of our country. In that spirit, we are honored to welcome on the show Dr. Matthew Mehan of Hillsdale College, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Government at the Van Andel Graduat...

05/13/2026

On April 24, Professor John Mikhail of Georgetown Law joined JWI to present a lecture titled: "James Wilson: The Man Who Wrote We the People and Inspired the Declaration." Professor Mikhail's lecture offered a valuable insight into JWI's namesake James Wilson, who, despite being one of the most influential minds of the American Founding, often goes unrecognized.

Watch the full lecture here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ6Jn_5VVAg

05/13/2026

On April 24, Professor John Mikhail of Georgetown Law joined JWI to present a lecture titled: "James Wilson: The Man Who Wrote We the People and Inspired the Declaration." Professor Mikhail's lecture offered a valuable insight into JWI's namesake James Wilson, who, despite being one of the most influential minds of the American Founding, often goes unrecognized.