Brett Kaufman ‘09, a senior staff attorney in the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, recently returned to Texas Law as the first alum to participate in the Lives in the Law speaker series sponsored by the William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law. During his visit, Kaufman gave a talk in the Eidman Courtroom titled “What Tomorrow’s Public Interest Lawyers Can Learn from Civil Rights Litigation After 9/11.” Following his talk, Kaufman participated in an engaging Q&A session and visited with Texas Law students, alumni, and staff, sharing his experiences and insights.
The “Lives in the Law” speaker series focuses on the work and lives of lawyers who strive to improve the lives of others through litigation, advocacy, and public service. The Spring 2025 event was organized by Alice Min ’25, Josh McClain ’25, Laura Zhang ’26, and Rachel Sznajderman ’27, members of the Justice Center’s Student Advisory Board.
Kaufman discussed pivotal experiences that led him to First Amendment and domestic surveillance litigation, as well as the formative law school and early career moments that led him to the ACLU’s Center for Democracy. He recounted his work on national security cases, including ACLU v. Clapper, which challenged the NSA’s mass call-tracking program. Throughout his remarks, Kaufman emphasized the critical importance of the public record in the ongoing fight for civil liberties, urging future lawyers to remain vigilant and committed.
Reflecting on the event, organizer Josh McClain ’25 noted, “Brett’s discussion of his career and the lose-but-keep-going cycle that is common to so many areas of public-interest law was both grounding and inspirational at a time when every public-interest law student is grappling with the future of our profession and the threat of many losses to come. Brett’s talk couldn’t have been more timely, and I’m so grateful for his generosity with his time and advice.”
Further highlighting the impact of Kaufman’s visit, Cate Byrne ’25, shared, “Learning from Brett, an alum who has channeled resilience and dedication throughout his career, even when navigating the unexpected or tough losses, was incredibly meaningful as I approach my own entry into practice. It was a reminder that even when things are most difficult, public interest advocates can unite over our commitment to the communities and individuals we serve.” 
Nicole Simmons, director of the Justice Center, added, “Having Brett as the first alum to speak during Lives in the Law was significant. His journey and achievements resonate deeply with our students and underscore the importance of dedication to public service.”
Kaufman, a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Texas School of Law, is based in Los Angeles where he works for the ACLU’s Center for Democracy on cases related to national security, technology, surveillance, privacy, and First Amendment Rights. He is also an adjunct lecturer in law at UCLA School of Law.
Kaufman has litigated cases including ACLU v. Clapper, a challenge to NSA’s mass call-tracking program, Doe v. Mattis, a habeas challenge to the government’s military detention of a U.S. citizen in Iraq, and Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle v. Baltimore Police Department, a challenge to Baltimore’s mass aerial surveillance program.
Before joining the ACLU, he clerked for Judge Robert D. Sack of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Judge Richard J. Holwell of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, also of the S.D.N.Y. After graduating from Texas Law and prior to beginning his federal clerkships, he spent one year in Israel, first clerking for Justice Asher Grunis of the Israeli Supreme Court and then working with Gisha, an NGO dedicated to protecting Gazans’ human right to freedom of movement.