Politico has an article about the American Constitution Society and how Obama’s election has brought this group to the forefront. The ACS is the liberal answer to the Federalist Society, which was founded by conservative law professors and scholars to help train the next generation of attorneys and influence the public debate over legal issues. Like the FedSoc, the ACS has chapters at most major law schools and sponsors many conferences.

Sixteen appointees and advisers helping president-elect Barack Obama’s Justice Department transition efforts all recently sat on the board of an organization little known outside legal circles: The American Constitution Society for Law and Policy.

The liberal legal network, which blossomed during eight years of Democratic exile, counts as its veterans Obama’s choice for attorney general, Eric Holder: Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s chief of staff, Ron Klain; and future White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown.

Seven other recent board members are advising the incoming administration on legal, education, and labor-related issues. Theresa Wynn Roseborough is rumored to be a top candidate for solicitor general. And, at least two other members were also rumored to be in the running for key Cabinet posts.

This mirrors almost exactly the role that the Federalist Society has taken in conservative administrations, acting as a sort of unofficial steering committee and a feeder system for appointments in the Department of Justice and the federal bench. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito both rose through the ranks, as have many others, largely through association with the Federalist Society.