Buckley v. Valeo at 50

​Registration is now CLOSED.

Rescheduled to: February 24, 2026. 

 (Original Date: January 27, 2026)

Half a century ago, as the United States prepared to celebrate its bicentennial, the Supreme Court was asked to reckon with the fruits of Watergate. In response to that scandal, Congress had imposed systematic restrictions on the raising and spending of funds in federal campaigns and invited—indeed, commanded—the Court’s review. The result, Buckley v. Valeo, is the central precedent governing the Constitution’s application to political speech and association.

Buckley has remained a durable pillar of First Amendment jurisprudence, but it remains controversial across the political spectrum. Attacked as both too restrictive and too permissive, can it survive to the nation’s tricentennial?

Please join the Federalist Society for a luncheon discussion of Buckley’s half-century legacy and possible future.

Featuring: 

Keynote Speaker

Prof. Joel Gora

Brooklyn Law School

Counsel for the ACLU in Buckley v. Valeo

Panel

• Hon. Bradley A. Smith, Founder & Chairman, Institute for Free Speech; Former Chairman, Federal Election Commission
• Hon. Allen J. Dickerson, Partner, BakerHostetler; Former Chairman, Federal Election Commission
• Mr. Adav Noti, Executive Director, Campaign Legal Center; Former Associate General Counsel, Federal Election Commission
• (Moderator) Lindsey Melody Specht, Of Counsel, Dickinson Wright PLLC

Pricing:

• Members: $25
• Non-members: $50

If you are interested in purchasing a table for the event, please contact Chayila Kleist at chayila.kleist@fed-soc.org or 202-810-8665.

Other Details:

Registration will close on Friday, February 20, at 12:00pm ET.

No refunds will be issued after Thursday, February 19. 

Attendees may be required to present identification at registration for admission.

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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.