Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this episode of our “Who We Are” series, Ilya Shapiro, Jim Copland, and Rafael Mangual discuss the work of the Manhattan Institute and City Journal in regards to the Conservative Legal Movement. They unpack the rise, influence, and internal debates of the Conservative Legal Movement, tracing its roots and examining how it has reshaped American law, courts, and legal education. From the enduring clash between judicial activism and judicial restraint to the growing influence of textualism and originalism, this conversation breaks down the ideas driving today’s legal battles. The discussion explores the Manhattan Institute’s role in advancing conservative legal thought, the case for tort reform, and the unresolved tensions surrounding race, meritocracy, and equal treatment under the law.
Get the best of City Journal, delivered weekly:
city-journal.org/email-alerts
Follow City Journal on X: https://x.com/CityJournal
Ilya Shapiro: https://x.com/ishapiro
Jim Copland: https://x.com/JamesRCopland
Rafael Mangual: https://x.com/Rafa_Mangual
00:00 Introduction to the Conservative Legal Movement
02:40 Historical Context: The Birth of the Conservative Legal Movement
06:00 Judicial Activism vs. Restraint: Core Themes
08:39 The Role of Textualism and Originalism
11:48 The Manhattan Institute's Position in the Movement
14:59 Tort Reform: A Conservative Perspective
17:41 Racial Debates and the Colorblind Meritocracy
20:59 Counterarguments to Conservative Legal Positions
23:36 Recent Legal Victories and Ongoing Challenges
26:59 The Federalist Society's Impact on Legal Education
In this episode of our “Who We Are” series, Ilya Shapiro, Jim Copland, and Rafael Mangual discuss the work of the Manhattan Institute and City Journal in regards to the Conservative Legal Movement. They unpack the rise, influence, and internal debates of the Conservative Legal Movement, tracing its roots and examining how it has reshaped American law, courts, and legal education. From the enduring clash between judicial activism and judicial restraint to the growing influence of textualism and originalism, this conversation breaks down the ideas driving today’s legal battles. The discussion explores the Manhattan Institute’s role in advancing conservative legal thought, the case for tort reform, and the unresolved tensions surrounding race, meritocracy, and equal treatment under the law.
Get the best of City Journal, delivered weekly:
city-journal.org/email-alerts
Follow City Journal on X: https://x.com/CityJournal
Ilya Shapiro: https://x.com/ishapiro
Jim Copland: https://x.com/JamesRCopland
Rafael Mangual: https://x.com/Rafa_Mangual
00:00 Introduction to the Conservative Legal Movement
02:40 Historical Context: The Birth of the Conservative Legal Movement
06:00 Judicial Activism vs. Restraint: Core Themes
08:39 The Role of Textualism and Originalism
11:48 The Manhattan Institute's Position in the Movement
14:59 Tort Reform: A Conservative Perspective
17:41 Racial Debates and the Colorblind Meritocracy
20:59 Counterarguments to Conservative Legal Positions
23:36 Recent Legal Victories and Ongoing Challenges
26:59 The Federalist Society's Impact on Legal Education
