Chip Mellor, Institute for Justice Visionary Cofounder and Former President, Has Passed Away

John Kramer
John Kramer · October 14, 2024

Contact: John Kramer, [email protected],  (703) 587-1992

Arlington, Va.—On Friday, October 11, America lost one of the most significant civil liberties pioneers of the past 40 years: William “Chip” Mellor—the founding president and recent board chairman of the Institute for Justice, a national, public interest law firm—died at his home in Moab, Utah, after a battle with leukemia. 

Mellor’s philosophically and tactically consistent approach to protecting the rights of ordinary Americans—especially those of modest means—led him to cofound the Institute for Justice in 1991 with Clint Bolick. He created IJ to protect private property and free speech, to challenge arbitrary government regulations that interfere with economic liberty, and to expand educational choice for those stuck in failing public schools. In the process, he and IJ reshaped America’s legal landscape and how public interest cases are litigated in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion.

Albert Viviano, Scott Bullock, and Chip Mellor

“Chip demonstrated remarkable vision and a knack for public interest litigation throughout his life,” said Scott Bullock, who worked with Mellor for 25 years and in 2016 succeeded him as IJ’s president. “He brought together cutting-edge legal advocacy, media relations, grassroots activism, legislative work, and strategic research in a pioneering and innovative way. He made the Institute for Justice a powerhouse for the protection of constitutional rights.” 

Thanks to Mellor’s vision and the advocates he hired and inspired, IJ has won many pathbreaking constitutional cases that have set the standard for legal change. Mellor understood that principled change takes time, so he established IJ to engage in long-term, strategic public interest litigation rather than react to current controversies or issues of the week. He fostered an entrepreneurial, happy warrior culture within IJ, where many make their careers to change the world for the better. He also ensured that IJ was a well-run, transparent nonprofit, one which has earned Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating for over 20 years in a row. 

Chip and NYC Van Entrepreneur Hector Ricketts

In addition to leading IJ for its first 25 years, Mellor personally litigated economic liberty and educational choice cases, including arguing Craigmiles v. Giles, in which the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously that the government cannot impose protectionist regulations on casket sellers. He also successfully defended New York City’s “dollar vans,” which continue to serve disenfranchised communities, when the city threatened to put them out of business. 

“Few attorneys have had a greater impact on public interest law in the past half century than Chip,” said Jim Lintott, founder and chairman of Sterling Foundation Management and acting chairman of IJ’s board. “Mellor’s visionary leadership and tireless commitment to defending individual liberty and the Constitution have had an enduring impact on the American legal landscape.” 

Former Board Chairman Dave Kennedy, and Chip Mellor

“In court and throughout the free market movement, Chip demonstrated how goodwill, principled and strategic advocacy, and a long-term adherence to mission can foster ever-growing success,” said IJ Litigation Director Dana Berliner, who has been with IJ since 1994. 

Chip Mellor: 2012 Bradley Prize Winner

“Chip continually looked for ways to improve how we work at IJ. One of his special talents as a leader was harnessing the best out of people. He built a supportive culture and inspired everyone around him,” added Deborah Simpson, IJ’s Chief Operating Officer, who started at IJ in 1997.

“When it came to fundraising, Chip always said that it wasn’t how much money you raised, but how you raised it,” said Beth Stevens, IJ Vice President for Development, who has worked at IJ for over two decades. “He always kept his word to IJ’s clients and supporters while finding ways to grow those around him every day.” 

“Chip was always a Westerner at heart,” said his close friend and IJ Vice President for Strategic Relations John Kramer, who has worked at IJ since 1992. “He embodied the American pioneering spirit and intrepid nature that accomplishes the seemingly impossible while enjoying the effort along the way, no matter what obstacles may come. For so many friends and IJ clients, Chip was the cavalry riding in to save the day when all seemed lost. He set the standard as a leader and as a friend.”