Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar
Scholar, jurist, and nonprofit leader on law and governance
Menlo Park, California
Washington, D.C.
Summary
Interdisciplinary scholar of institutions, security, and law: Cuéllar's scholarship and leadership blend political science and law to analyze how government institutions, administrative agencies, and legal doctrines evolve and shape responses to transnational challenges. stanford+2
Experienced public servant and jurist: He has held senior policy roles in multiple presidential administrations and served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of California (2015–2021), where he authored opinions across criminal justice, climate, technology, and language-access reforms. ca+2
Nonprofit and governance leader: Cuéllar chairs the Hewlett Foundation board, serves on Harvard's governing boards, holds leadership roles with the American Law Institute, and led Stanford research centers—positioning him at the intersection of philanthropy, academia, and institutional governance. hewlett+2
Focus on technology and AI governance: Across essays, institutional roles, and advisory positions, he engages with the policy implications of advanced technologies—work that includes AI governance commentary, participation in national advisory bodies, and recent appointment to Anthropic's Long-Term Benefit Trust. anthropic+3
Work
Education
Projects
Writing
How to Survive a Constitutional Crisis
April 1, 2025Essay analyzing the institutional 'guardrails' (courts, media/information space, federal-state balance) that can constrain executive overreach and help preserve law-bound democracy.
Governing Security: The Hidden Origins of American Security Agencies
January 1, 2013Book examining the legal, political, and institutional history behind the development of major U.S. security agencies and the administrative state.
Selected AI and governance commentaries and essays
Various pieces and contributions addressing AI governance, compute thresholds, and technology's impact on institutions and public law.