Rochester attorney’s new book makes the case for modern Constitutional Convention

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“Yes, we can fix Washington D.C.,” exclaims Jimmy Paulino, “but only if we use a long-ignored check-and-balance already in our Constitution: The Article V Convention. The key to the entire process is your individual vote in state elections for local representatives.”

A Rochester native and associate at Goldberg Segalla LLP, Paulino is not shy about sharing his non-political plan to update the blueprint for our federal government. His newly published book The America 2051 Project provides the details.

This book, like any of Paulino’s initiatives, exudes the energy and passion he brings to any undertaking.

Article V

“After 225 years, our politicians have become experts at using our government for their own benefit.  Instead of complaining about the players, why don’t we focus on changing the rules of the game?” Paulino asks, sharing a concrete plan to bring about real change.

The book outlines ways to help “We the People” on the road to an Article V Constitutional Convention, complete with step-by-step directions, draft legislative documents, and some specific areas for recommended change.

Under Article V, if 34 state legislators pass resolutions calling for a convention, the States can reconvene and update the system’s structure. That’s a safety net our founders included from the start.

“The proper functioning of government is not a Republican or Democratic issue,” Paulino continues.  “It is a matter of political science.  For America to survive to 2051 and beyond, we need to bring the structure of our government into the 21^st Century and eliminate the overspending, constant campaigning, two-party war… among other things.”

Author credibility

Paulino knows quite a bit about political science, earning his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Rochester in 2003 with a double major in political science and philosophy.  He spent a full semester in Washington D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives, and gained other hands- on experience in local government and political campaigns throughout his 20s.

Before earning his law degree from Notre Dame Law School, Paulino also earned a master of arts in political philosophy from the University of York, studying comparative constitutional law and the concept of toleration in (Old) York, England.

More than a book

In addition to the book, Paulino is creating a website to host data on all 7,421 state representatives across the United States.

“You can type in your address to find out if your local legislator will support an Article V convention, and then cast a strategic vote for real change,” he said.

Paulino has also formed a non-profit organization: The America 2051 Project, Inc., to receive all proceeds from the book (available via Amazon for $10) and to maintain the website. The project has adopted the studio of board member and local photographer Greg Hollar as the unofficial headquarters for the board and volunteer meetings, located at 34 Elton Street.

A word from colleagues

Steven Modica, past-Monroe County Bar Association president, recently sent an email to Paulino stating: “I finished your book over the weekend.  What you have proposed is simple and brilliant simultaneously. With the state of the current two-party presidential campaign, everyone should be motivated to read The America 2051 Project.”

Seeing The America 2051 Project on Amazon, Prof. John Vile of the Middle Tennessee State University contacted him to praise his ideas. Paulino plans to meet with Vile in Nashville in the near future to exchange ideas and discuss the finer logistical points in the Article V process.

Paulino is delighted that his firm, with over 250 attorneys internationally, has supported him as he finalized the book which has been in the works for about 18 months.

“Team Goldberg Segalla is committed to serving others and to affecting positive change in our communities,” Paulino adds, noting that the firm’s slogan is: exceptional professionals…and even better human beings.

While working on the book, Paulino bounced a lot of ideas off firm colleague Patrick Naylon.

“I can’t come up with enough superlatives to describe Jimmy as a lawyer, historian, responsible citizen, or human being,” Naylon says. His presence in the office raises the bar for all of us here, on all of these levels.”

Bloodless revolution

“I want to remind Americans that we are in control of the government, and there is a way to instigate a completely legal and totally bloodless revolution,” Paulino states.

Last month, Tennessee became the fifth state to pass a resolution calling for an Article V convention, specifically to adopt fiscal restraints and congressional term limits. Besides Tennessee, Alabama, Alaska, Florida and Georgia have formally adopted Article V resolutions.

Paulino wants to see Americans embrace the idea of a constitutional convention and help to make it happen — sooner rather than later.

While talking about the time and effort involved in this project, Paulino shrugged it off saying, “It is nothing compared to the five years my brother devoted to serving in the military.”

One of the things that sparked Paulino to write the book was the repeated conversations at family gatherings where he’d hear plenty of complaints about the federal government — but no solutions.

Ripe for action

The book discusses seven discrete areas in the Constitution that are ripe for improvement.

On the topic of excess government spending, one section of the book is cleverly titled Hail to the Spouse, with specific facts and figures regarding the cost (in American tax dollars) to treat the occupants of the White House as royalty.

Time limits on the federal court nomination process are also among the suggestions — a plan that would have eliminated the current skirmish over replacing Justice Scalia.

“The president should have 30 days to announce a replacement, and the Senate should have 60 days to confirm or deny,” the book suggests.

The book also talks a good bit about boundaries and consequences, suggesting term limits and budget accountability. One of the eye-opening facts in this chapter is that Congress is only in session an average of 138.5 days a year, often with less than 50% in attendance.

“Most people work 250 days a year,” Paulino notes.  “When I worked at Wegmans, a time clock kept me accountable for every minute I worked.  Why shouldn’t Congress be required to show up 200 days year with attendance rules similar to what most of us experience in the work place?”

Corporate influence, electoral redistricting, and more uniform voting systems across all 50 states are also among the proposals that might be discussed at a new constitutional convention.

Next steps

In order to effect change, Americans need to spread the word about why a constitutional convention is such a great idea. The later pages of the book provide elevator speeches, draft letters and emails to legislators, and suggestions for events and parties to get people talking about a constitutional convention.

There is even a Home Party Kit to have a great America 2051 event, complete with invitations, (non) drinking games, and parting gifts that can be created from the book’s samples or the website (coming soon).

About the author

Devoted to the Rochester community, Paulino serves on a number of boards and committees, including The Center for Youth, Town of Irondequoit Zoning Board of Appeals, Office of Court Administration E-filing Group, MCBA Judiciary Committee,  and more. He’s been a Teen Court mediator and coach since 2010 and spent several years coaching mock trial students at the University of Rochester.

He worked at Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy LLP and Faraci Lange LLP before joining Goldberg Segalla, where he focuses on commercial litigation and e-discovery.

The list of awards and recognition on his resume includes the Rochester Business Journal’s 40 under 40  (he’s still only 34), the 2013 NY state bar association “Outstanding Young Lawyer” award, and a Youth Advocate Award from the Center for Youth, among others.

He loves walking his dog, Sunny, and making a difference in the community.