Will Aronin is an award-winning trial attorney who joined the Institute for Justice in February 2020. He has since tried multiple economic liberty and property rights cases to verdict, winning in front of judges and juries alike.
At IJ, Will is lead counsel in cases challenging protectionist economic regulations preventing hard-working entrepreneurs from opening and growing businesses in their communities. He is also spearheading a cutting-edge challenge to a city’s unconstitutional towing-and-impound scheme that profits by taking its most vulnerable citizens’ cars.
Before joining IJ, Will was a partner in a NYC firm specializing in criminal defense and complex civil litigation. He has successfully tried high-profile cases to verdict and has come up victorious in litigation against some of the biggest firms in New York City.
Since graduating with honors from Brooklyn Law School in 2009, Will has been featured in the New York Times, the Daily News, as well as the BBC and the Tribeca Film Festival. He is also a published author, having written on the intersection between law and technology as well as his work as a contributing author for a Thompson West Legal Text.
Will's Cases
Economic Liberty | Occupational Licensing | Other Property Rights Abuses | Private Property
Pennsylvania real estate broker files lawsuit challenging law requiring brokers to have brick-and-mortar offices
Pennsylvania real estate broker Kevin Gaughen has filed a lawsuit alongside the Institute for Justice challenging a law requiring brokers in Pennsylvania to have brick-and-mortar offices.
Private Property | Rental Caps
Lawsuit Challenges New York Law That Keeps Apartments Off the Market During a Housing Crisis
Small property owners challenge New York's rent stabilization laws on vacant apartments, which keep tens of thousands of units empty amid a housing crisis.
Economic Liberty | Private Property | Zoning Justice Project
She Spent Her Life Savings to Open a New Salon, Zoning Is Dashing Her Dreams
In Clayton County, Georgia, government officials blocked Khalilah Few from opening her natural hair salon—simply because they didn't think it’s the “right fit” for the neighborhood.
Economic Liberty | Private Property | Zoning Justice Project
Hair Braider Sues After City Blocks Her Business for Providing Too Much Competition with Existing Shops
In America, the government doesn’t get to pick winners and losers in the marketplace. Businesses compete, and the consumer ultimately decides which services or products they want. The idea that anyone…
First Amendment | Sign Codes | Small and Home-Based Business | Zoning Justice Project
High school art class painted donut mural for bakery, town demands their work be painted over
Leavitt's Country Bakery Owner Sean Young filed a federal lawsuit against the town of Conway, after town officials demanded he paint over a mural that was created by local high school students last summer.
Fines and Fees | Private Property | Rule of Law
Challenging Wilmington’s tow-and-impound racket, which pays private tow companies by letting them keep and scrap cars.
Wilmington, Delaware partners with a private towing company to tow any car that has more than $200 in unpaid parking fines. The private company makes a profit and Wilmington demands excessive fines in order to get a car back. The disproportionate fines violate the due process rights of citizens, and IJ seeks to end this entire unconstitutional program.
Economic Liberty | Eminent Domain | Private Property
Family-Owned Hardware Store Sues Long Island Town Trying to Take Away their Property
The Brinkmann family owns hardware stores in Long Island and purchased property with the hope of opening a new store. The town now wants to take the land through eminent domain, simply because they don’t want another store. With the help of IJ, the Brinkmanns are fighting back against this unconstitutional tactic.
Economic Liberty | Transportation
Jordanian Immigrant Fights Back Against Colorado’s Transportation Monopolies
Abdallah Batayneh opened a shuttle company in Colorado with the goal of providing more affordable rides. But entrenched businesses got the government to use a “certificate of need” law to ban him from opening. Abdallah is working with IJ so he can open his business and provide competition in the industry.
Immunity and Accountability | Private Property | Rule of Law | SWAT Destruction
Woman Fights for Compensation After House Destroyed by SWAT Team
Police destroyed Vicki Baker’s home while pursuing a fugitive, costing her tens of thousands of dollars and leaving her daughter’s dog with hearing loss. The city refused to pay for the damage it caused. IJ has partnered with Vicki to get the compensation she deserves.
First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability
Texas Woman Fights Back After Local Officials in Castle Hills Have Her Arrested and Jailed For Criticizing City Government
After she won her election to city council, Sylvia Gonzalez immediately began getting harassed by city officials whom she had criticized in the past. It got so bad she was even arrested and thrown in jail. In 2020, she joined with IJ to sue the city for violating her First Amendment and to hold officials accountable.
Economic Liberty
Nebraska law requires business owner to get his competitors’ permission in order to transport patients
Marc is allowed to drive customers to the grocery store, but if he wants to drive them to the pharmacy or a routine doctor’s appointment, he needs permission from his competitors. This nonsensical rule hurts both Marc and his patients, but he’s fighting back, with IJ’s help.
Will's News, Articles & Publications
Will's Podcasts
April 17, 2026
Short Circuit 424 | Juries for Securities
Getting a jury is one of the most venerated constitutional rights Americans have. But if you’re before the Securities and Exchange Commission there’s been no […]
Listen NowFebruary 26, 2026
NYC has 1000’s of empty apartments. You'll never guess why.
New York City is in a housing crisis—and according to official statistics, roughly 26,000 rent stabilized apartments sit vacant. That’s because New York City law […]
Listen NowMay 06, 2021
These Laws Let Your Competitors Decide When Your Business is “Needed”
What are “Certificates of Need,” and who should get to decide whether an entrepreneur can try out a business idea?
When IJ client Abdallah Batayneh tried to open a resort shuttle service in rural Colorado, his application was denied by a state regulatory agency at […]
Listen Now