A professor from Notre Dame Law School provided consultation to conservative groups endorsing a plan to launch a Catholic virtual charter school in Oklahoma, a move that could erode the traditional separation of church and state and promote a religious agenda in public education.

Data from OpenSecrets revealed that Notre Dame spent approximately $540,000 on congressional lobbying in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. The spending has raised concerns among students and parents, especially given the engagement of lobbyists connected to firms involved in controversial activities, such as the BGR Group’s work for JinkoSolar, a company investigated for allegedly using Uyghur slave labor. In addition, individual faculty donations show a mixed political picture, intensifying debates over alignment with the university’s Catholic mission and ethical considerations.

The Washington Post article reports that Notre Dame Law School is increasingly becoming a destination for future Supreme Court clerks, highlighting an environment that welcomes conservative views. This development is seen as reinforcing a judicial pipeline that may favor conservative, authoritarian-leaning perspectives.

Notre Dame Law School, through Dean G. Marcus Cole's remarks, emphasized its policy of not openly discriminating against conservatives—a stance that contrasts with other law schools which view conservative presence as 'a badge of dishonor'. The school also highlighted its connection with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a Notre Dame alumnus, as evidence of its diverse political engagement.

Notre Dame Law School is drawing significant attention for its commitment to political diversity by not discriminating against conservative viewpoints. This stance, which is uncommon in legal academia, has contributed to its growing influence on the Supreme Court, notably with alumna Justice Amy Coney Barrett serving on the Court.

The article reports that Notre Dame Law School is increasingly influential in the Supreme Court clerkship pipeline, with a noted shift towards conservative ideologies. Graduates and professors from the school are now clerking for conservative justices, which critics argue could reinforce right-leaning judicial policies affecting issues like abortion, voting rights, and LGBTQ rights.

OpenSecrets reported that the University of Notre Dame spent $200,000 on lobbying efforts during 2023 to advocate for education-related issues. While the article does not detail the specific policy outcomes, this political engagement reflects a proactive approach to influencing public policy which may align with broader democratic and progressive educational interests.