Fighting for Justice. Defending Freedom.
IJ is a nonprofit, public interest law firm that represents everyday people — free of charge — when the government violates their most important constitutional rights. We focus on the areas of law that provide the foundation for a free society, and we win nearly three out of every four cases we file.
70%
Win Rate
Nearly 3 out of 4 cases won against the government
400+
Cases Filed
Across 50 states
35
Years
Since 1991
20,000+
Properties Saved
From government abuse
11
SCOTUS Wins
13 cases argued
$21M+
Assets Returned
Via forfeiture fights
300+
Legislative Reforms
To protect individual rights
Featured Case
U.S. Department of Labor v. Sun Valley Orchards
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Our Pillars and Projects
IJ’s work targets the core freedoms that form the foundation of a free society: the right to own and enjoy property, speak freely, earn a living, and to be subject to fair and accountable laws and regulations. We have litigated hundreds of cases on behalf of thousands of individuals under those four pillars, and Americans are measurably freer in each area as a direct result of our work.
We build on this work through six projects that target major injustices in America today.
Our Pillars
Economic Liberty
IJ believes that all people have the right to earn an honest living in the occupation of their choice without arbitrary, unnecessary, or protectionist government interference.
Private Property
The government has extraordinary power to take, regulate, and destroy private property — and too often it abuses that power. IJ fights back.
First Amendment
IJ fights for the right to speak freely about the issues that matter most to ordinary people and to defend the free flow of information essential to democratic government and free enterprise.
Rule of Law
IJ fights for individual freedom when it’s threatened by unchecked abuse of government power.
Our Projects
Project on Immunity and Accountability
IJ combats legal doctrines that stand in the way of meaningful accountability for government mistakes and misconduct.
Project on the 4th Amendment
Every American is now at risk of government searches, seizures, and surveillance. IJ defends vital rights to privacy and security.
Ending Civil Forfeiture
Under civil forfeiture, people can permanently lose their property without a criminal conviction or even charges. This is one of the gravest abuses of power in the country today, and IJ aims to put a stop to it.
Food Freedom
All individuals have the right to produce, advertise, sell, procure, and consume the foods of their choice. IJ ensures they can use these rights to provide for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Zoning Justice
Arbitrary and abusive zoning practices make our society less free and less prosperous. IJ stands up for all Americans’ right to use their property peacefully and productively, without undue government interference.
Education Entrepreneurship
IJ’s Education Entrepreneurship Project focuses on reducing common barriers to innovation in education—including licensing, zoning, and speech regulations—all issues that IJ litigates.
Recent Updates
Institute for Justice Urges Clewiston to Scrap Protectionist Food Truck Restrictions
Today, the Institute for Justice (IJ) sent a letter to officials in Clewiston, Florida, warning that the city’s food truck ordinance violates the Florida Constitution. Under…
Swim Instructor Appeals to South Carolina Supreme Court After Columbia Banned Her Backyard Business
COLUMBIA, S.C.—Lifelong swim instructor Libby Souder is appealing to the South Carolina Supreme Court in her fight to resume offering her backyard swim lessons to the many Columbia families who…
Public Interest Law Firm Calls on Nampa to Reconsider Unconstitutional Food Truck Crackdown
Two years after the Institute for Justice (IJ) first warned Nampa, Idaho, that its food truck rules were unconstitutional, the city is back with a new proposal…
Court Dismisses New Jersey Parents’ Lawsuit Challenging Retention of Baby Blood; Parents Will Appeal
TRENTON, N.J.—Today, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of New Jersey parents challenging the constitutionality of the state’s policy of drawing blood from every newborn…
Animal Sanctuary’s Fight to Stay Open Ends After North Carolina Supreme Court Rejects Appeal
ARLINGTON, Va.—A Winston-Salem animal sanctuary’s fight against senseless zoning restrictions has ended after the North Carolina Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Fairytale Farm Animal Sanctuary owner Kimberly Dunckel…
Kentucky Small Business Sues After Federal Government Takes Nearly $1.4 Million Without Explanation During Two Different Incidents
MIAMI—Today, a Kentucky small business filed federal lawsuits against the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the two agencies took nearly $1.4 million from the company…
Proposed Vendor Ordinance “Would Open Up Opportunities” Says Chicago Entrepreneur Advocate
CHICAGO—For many years, Chicago’s sidewalk vendors have been prohibited from selling anything that was not prepackaged. As a result, they are not allowed to mix elotes, cut fruit, pour hot chocolate…
National Law Firm Stands with Pinal County Education Entrepreneur to Protect Microschool
CONTACT: Phillip Suderman, [email protected], (850) 376-4110 PINAL COUNTY, Ariz.—Karli Kemper has spent her professional life teaching. She has decades of experience working in public, charter, and private schools. She specializes…
Court Says Marion County Must Clearly State What Crime Was Committed Before Taking Money Seized at FedEx Hub
INDIANAPOLIS—Henry and Minh Cheng, California jewelry sellers, had to fight for $42,000 that Indianapolis police seized at the FedEx shipping hub. A decision in their class action lawsuit finds nothing…
Watch the Stories Behind the Cases
Hear directly from the people at the center of important legal fights, as we stand up for the rights of all Americans.
