The Institute for Justice litigates to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans. IJ defends ordinary people who want to earn an honest living, own and enjoy their property, speak freely, and give their children a good education but find that the government is standing in their way.
We fight to hold government officials accountable when they violate constitutional rights and to prevent governments at all levels from bending the rules to expand their power or advance illegitimate ends.
IJ wins three out of four cases through outright courtroom victories or legislative change prompted by our lawsuits.
Featured Cases
Private Property | Private Solutions to Public Problems | Right to Shelter | Zoning Justice Project
Flathead Warming Center
Kalispell, Montana
The Flathead Warming Center—an emergency shelter in Kalispell, Montana—suffered a cruel blow as winter approaches. On September 16, 2024, the Kalispell City Council voted 6-3 to revoke the Warming Center’s permit, even though it has never been cited for breaking any laws. Now, the people that the Warming Center serves may have nowhere to go during the coming cold winter…
Attorney files federal lawsuit challenging court’s gag order rule
Nashville civil rights attorney Daniel Horwitz was silenced by a gag order, after discussing his cases with the media. Now, he’s teamed up with the Institute for Justice to file a federal First Amendment lawsuit…
Private Property | SWAT Destruction
The FBI Raided the Wrong Home—the Government Refuses to Pay for the Damage
FBI agents raided the wrong home in suburban Atlanta. Now the federal government refuses to compensate the victims even though Congress passed a law permitting suits for damages caused by federal employees.
4th Amendment Project | Open Fields Doctrine | Private Property
Pennsylvania man files federal lawsuit challenging law allowing Fish and Boat Commission to enter property without warrant
Tim and Stephanie Thomas purchased their cabin on Butler Lake in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, in 2014. In 2022, after Stephanie was diagnosed with stage four cancer, it also became a sanctuary for her to rest and…
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Eminent Domain Without Limits?: U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Curb Nationwide Abuses
Film: Little Pink House State Reactions to Kelo Homeowners Lose Eminent Domain Case U.S. Supreme…
Educational Choice | Tax Credit Scholarships
U.S. Supreme Court Dismisses Legal Challenge to Arizona School Choice Program
U.S. Supreme Court Opinion U.S. Supreme Court Dismisses Legal Challenge to Arizona Scho IJ’s Educational Choice Cases…
Economic Liberty | Food Freedom | Wine
Uncorking Freedom: Challenging Protectionist Restraints on Direct Interstate Wine Shipments to Consumers
U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Victory for Vintners In Wine Wars! IJ’s Food Freedom Initiative…
Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships
U.S. Supreme Court issued its most important educational decision since Brown v. Board of Education
U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Victory for School Choice Cleveland, Ohio, School Choice (State Case)…