Fact Check: Founded in 2017. Just coincidence. “The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest law firm founded in 2017 by Columbia Law School professor Philip Hamburger. Based in Washington, D.C., the NCLA focuses on challenging what it perceives as unlawful overreach by the administrative state.”

The New Civil Liberties Alliance: A Closer Look at Its Origins and Mission

Introduction

The claim under examination states that the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) was founded in 2017 by Philip Hamburger, a professor at Columbia Law School, and that the organization focuses on challenging what it perceives as unlawful overreach by the administrative state. This assertion raises questions about the organization's motivations, its foundational principles, and the implications of its activities.

What We Know

Founding and Leadership: The NCLA was indeed founded in 2017 by Philip Hamburger, who is a prominent legal scholar and professor at Columbia Law School. He has a background in constitutional law and has previously taught at several other prestigious law schools 1 2 3.
Mission and Focus: The NCLA describes itself as a nonprofit public interest law firm that aims to protect individual rights from what it views as unlawful administrative power exercised by state and federal agencies. Its mission includes advancing civil liberties such as freedom of speech, trial by jury, and due process 4 6 10.
Nonpartisan Status: The organization claims to be nonpartisan and dedicated to public interest litigation. However, some sources suggest that its focus on limiting the administrative state aligns closely with conservative legal perspectives 7 9.
Public Perception and Influence: The NCLA has been described as filling a gap in the legal ecosystem by addressing issues related to the administrative state, which has garnered both support and criticism from various legal scholars and political commentators 1 4.

Analysis

Source Reliability

Wikipedia: The entry on the NCLA provides a general overview and is a good starting point, but Wikipedia is not always considered a reliable source due to its open-edit nature. However, it cites other sources that can be verified 1.
Columbia Law School: The official faculty page for Philip Hamburger is a credible source, as it is directly affiliated with a reputable institution. It provides verified information about his role and contributions 2.
NCLA Official Website: The NCLA's own website offers insights into its mission and activities. While it is a primary source, it may be biased in favor of the organization's perspective 4 6.
Ballotpedia: This source is generally reliable for political and legal information, providing a neutral overview of organizations and their missions 6.
Monitoring Influence: This source critiques the NCLA's activities and could be seen as biased against the organization. It is essential to consider the potential agenda behind such critiques 7.

Conflicts of Interest

The NCLA's mission to limit the administrative state may resonate with specific political ideologies, particularly those aligned with conservative views. This alignment raises questions about whether the organization operates with an agenda that could influence its legal strategies and public statements.

Methodology and Evidence

The NCLA's approach to litigation and advocacy is based on its interpretation of constitutional principles. However, the effectiveness and implications of its legal strategies are subjects of ongoing debate among legal scholars. More detailed information about specific cases it has undertaken and their outcomes would provide a clearer picture of its impact.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful

Case Studies: Detailed accounts of specific legal cases or challenges undertaken by the NCLA would help assess its effectiveness and the real-world implications of its work.
Critiques from Legal Experts: Perspectives from a broader range of legal scholars, particularly those who may disagree with the NCLA's interpretations, would provide a more balanced view of its activities.
Funding Sources: Information about the NCLA's funding and any potential conflicts of interest related to its financial backers would be beneficial for understanding its motivations.

Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) was founded in 2017 by Philip Hamburger and focuses on challenging perceived unlawful overreach by the administrative state is substantiated by credible sources. Evidence from the NCLA's official website, along with reliable academic and legal references, confirms Hamburger's leadership role and the organization's mission to protect individual rights against administrative power.

However, it is important to note that while the NCLA positions itself as nonpartisan, its alignment with conservative legal perspectives may influence its activities and public perception. The effectiveness of its legal strategies remains a topic of debate among legal scholars, and further information on specific cases and critiques from diverse legal experts would enhance understanding of its impact.

Readers should be aware of the limitations in the available evidence, particularly regarding the potential biases in sources and the need for more comprehensive case studies. As always, it is advisable for individuals to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when forming conclusions about organizations like the NCLA.