It’s interesting to compare The Federalist Society with the American Constitution Society, which was founded initially to serve as a counterweight to The Federalist Society. At its conventions, The Federalist Society certainly draws its keynote speakers and such from the right, but nearly all panel discussions have a left-right balance. The idea is to produce interesting debates with the best examples of “the other side.” Certainly not everyone agrees with “opposition” speakers, but they are certainly treated with courtesy, and nobody protests their presence. Ahkil Amar, whom you mention, has been appearing at Federalist Society conferences for literally decades. Whatever his political valence, he’s actually a crowd favorite.

Nor does The Federalist Society shrink from debates within the right. I’ve personally witnessed debates between John Yoo and Richard Epstein on executive power, and they hosted a debate on whether Trump could be barred from the 2024 ballot.

The ACS began with a similar approach, but their panels no longer brook any opposition, and their conferences are little more than progressive cheerleading.