The Institute for Justice has won seven U.S. Supreme Court cases.
Collectively, these cases span all our litigation areas. Our victories have vindicated the right to earn an honest living, expanded educational opportunity for millions of children, defended free speech, and strengthened the Constitution’s protection of Americans’ property.
The Court decided our most recent case, Brownback v. King, on February 25, 2021. Although the Court issued a technical win for the police officers who assaulted our client, James King, it refused to create a new loophole for federal officials to escape accountability when they violate someone’s constitutional rights. The case now returns to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, where IJ will continue fighting for justice for James.
IJ’s only other Supreme Court loss was Kelo v. New London, where the Court ruled the government could use eminent domain to take property for private development. It was one of the most controversial decisions of the decade, and IJ harnessed the resulting backlash to win in the court of public opinion, leading to reforms and court decisions in 47 states that better protect property rights.
You can learn more about each of IJ’s Supreme Court cases below.
Timbs v. Indiana
There ARE Limits: IJ Takes Excessive Fines Case to the U.S. Supreme Court
Filed on January 31, 2018 Learn MoreEspinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue
On June 30, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court decided one of the most important education reform cases in the past half-century. This landmark case held that the U.S. Constitution does not allow states to discriminate against religious parents or schools if policymakers choose to enact a private educational choice program.
Filed on December 16, 2015 Learn MoreKelo Eminent Domain
Eminent Domain Without Limits?: U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Curb Nationwide Abuses
Decided on June 23, 2005 Learn MoreOther Supreme Court Cases

Immunity and Accountability
Taking on The Shell Games That Allow Federal/State Task Force Members To Violate Your Rights
Brownback v. King is IJ’s first Immunity and Accountability case that was argued before the United States Supreme Court. It involves James King, an innocent college student who was brutally beaten and choked unconscious by…

Economic Liberty
Can States Bar Newcomers from Owning a Business?
A Tennessee law required that in order to open a liquor store, one must be a Tennessee resident for two years. With help from IJ, Doug and Mary Ketchum challenged this law, bringing it all…

Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships
Maine Families Fight for School Choice in U.S. Supreme Court Appeal
Video Interview with Attorney and Parent Cert Petition School Choice Myths & Realities…

First Amendment | Political Speech
The Dirty Truth about Arizona’s “Clean Elections” Act: U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Strike Down Program that Discourages Free Speech, Puts Thumb on Scales for Government-Funded Political Candidates
U.S. Supreme Court Opinion U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Arizona’s “Clean Elections” IJ’s Political Speech Cases…
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)…