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Bradley A. Smith

Hon. Bradley A. Smith

Chairman and Founder, Institute for Free Speech; Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nault Designated Professor of Law, Capital University Law School

Bradley Smith is one of the nation’s foremost experts on campaign finance and election law, having served as a Commissioner on the Federal Election Commission from 2000 to 2005, including as Vice Chairman of the Commission in 2003 and Chairman in 2004. While serving as FEC Commissioner, the Wall Street Journal dubbed him, “the only honorable man in this bordello.”

His articles on election law have appeared in the Yale Law Journal,  the Georgetown Law Journal, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and other top journals, and he contributes regularly to popular publications such as The Wall Street Journal and National Review.

In her book on the history of campaign finance reform, "Big Money Unleashed" (Univ. Of Chicago Press 2024), legal historian Ann Southworth writes, "Smith has done more than any other scholar since the 1970s to advance the legal theories that ultimately prevailed in the Roberts Court."

Smith has been the Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nault Professor of Law at Capital University Law School, and has also held appointments at West Virginia University and Princeton University. He is a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School and Kalamazoo College.

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A person listed on this page has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society. In most cases, the biographical information on a person's bio page is provided directly by the person, and the Federalist Society does not edit or otherwise endorse that information. The Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues. All expressions of opinion by a speaker or author are those of the individual.

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