About the Institute for Justice
IJ is a nonprofit, public interest law firm. Our mission is to end widespread abuses of government power and secure the constitutional rights that allow all Americans to pursue their dreams.
featured Project
Beauty licensing is broken. States require more from beauty professionals than from workers in many other jobs. For example, on average, states require more education and experience for cosmetologists, makeup artists, manicurists, and skin care specialists than they do for entry-level emergency medical technicians. That doesn’t make sense, and it isn’t fair. IJ believes beauty professionals deserve better. That’s why we launched Beauty, Not Barriers, a project dedicated to working with beauty professionals to change state laws that make it too difficult and too costly to work in the industry.
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Support IJ client Jerry Johnson and others like him by making a gift
Your tax-deductible contribution helps IJ fight for ordinary people who want to pursue their American Dream but find the government standing in their way. We stand with our clients no matter how long their cases take—and we win nearly 75% of the time.
Our Issue Areas
Our Projects
Project on Immunity and Accountability
Qualified immunity and other legal doctrines let government workers violate constitutional rights with impunity. IJ works to eliminate these barriers to accountability.
IJ’s 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.
Civil Forfeiture
Unlike criminal forfeiture, which takes property from convicted criminals, civil forfeiture does not require property owners to be convicted of a crime—or even charged with one—to permanently lose their cash, cars, businesses or even their homes.
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.