American Constitution Society Announces 2026 Next Generation Leaders

Washington, D.C. - The American Constitution Society (ACS) has selected 23 future progressive legal professionals as 2026 Next Generation Leaders.

Launched in 2007, the Next Generation Leaders (NGL) program recognizes and supports law school students who have shown exceptional leadership in their work with their ACS student chapters. The program offers various opportunities that empower the students to develop their leadership skills and make a long-lasting impact in their communities.

"I want to extend my sincere congratulations to this year's class of 23 Next Generation Leaders," said ACS President Phil Brest. "These NGLs not only reflect the values of ACS but also are poised to be transformational legal leaders. I look forward to collaborating with these NGLs as we advance ACS and work to make the law a force for good in all our lives."

NGL applicants are selected through a competitive application process. The selection committee seeks students who demonstrate strong legal skills, a commitment to ACS's mission, and a track record of leadership and community engagement. Every year, a select number of law students are chosen as NGLs; of them, one NGL is appointed to serve a two-year term as a student member of ACS's Board of Directors.

NGLs are an integral part of the ACS network, with many contributing to the strength of the network as lawyer chapter leaders, mentors, and community advocates. NGLs are contributing to positive progressive legal change in their communities and around the country as lawyers, judges, policymakers, academics, advocates, and elected officials.

The 2026 Next Generation Leaders, in alphabetical order, are:

Jonah Abraham, University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2027

Angélica Afanador, American University Washington College of Law, Class of 2027

Esther Best, Georgia State University College of Law, Class of 2027

Celine Calpo, NYU School of Law, Class of 2027

Molly Estes Cooper, Emory University School of Law, Class of 2026

Priscilla Garcia, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Class of 2026

Kirby Goodman, University of Michigan Law School, Class of 2027

Emily Hernandez, Seattle University School of Law, Class of 2026

Erin Hiestand, Notre Dame Law School, Class of 2026

Shelby Hobohm, NYU School of Law, Class of 2027

Lucia Jiang, Stanford Law School, Class of 2027

Kara S. Kelawan, Harvard Law School, Class of 2026

Abby Lashbrook, Rutgers Law School - Newark, Class of 2026

Andriana Longwell, University of North Dakota School of Law, Class of 2027

Varun Noronha, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Class of 2027

Cassidy Page, The University of New Mexico School of Law, Class of 2027

Abe (AJ) Rosenthal, USC Gould School of Law, Class of 2028

David Salzillo Jr., Roger Williams University School of Law, Class of 2027

Staci Smith, University of Kansas School of Law, Class of 2027

Matthew D. Snyder, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, Class of 2027

Benjamin Vitenson, University of North Carolina School of Law, Class of 2027

Luke Zelich, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Class of 2027

Doris H. Zhang, Fordham University School of Law, Class of 2027

###

AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY The American Constitution Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, our mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other historically excluded communities. For more information, visit us at https://www.acslaw.org.