Existential advocacy

Abstract

Existential advocates, legal professionals dedicated to mitigating existential risks, face the unique challenge of representing future generations—a voiceless population with a stake in the decisions made today. This article presents the first empirical study of this emerging legal movement, drawing on a year-long qualitative study of these advocates. The article reveals a distinct model of social-change lawyering, characterized by a rigorous prioritization methodology and a culture of scientific truth-seeking. This model prioritizes maximizing impact on high-priority goals, aligning with recommendations from the literature on law and social change. However, it also grapples with the tension of representing future generations while including diverse voices from the present. The article concludes with recommendations for adapting this model as the movement scales up and pursues more direct and high-profile legal interventions.