Milwaukee, Wisc.—The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation announced today that one of four 2012 Bradley Prizes will be awarded to William H. “Chip” Mellor, President and General Counsel of the Institute for Justice. The award will be presented to Mr. Mellor during a ceremony to be held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 7. Each award carries a stipend of $250,000.

“Chip Mellor has led the fight for freedom in America’s courts by challenging laws that stifle constitutional rights,” said Michael W. Grebe, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bradley Foundation. “Thanks to Chip, the Institute for Justice has become an influential public interest law firm securing major victories for economic liberty, property rights, school choice and the First Amendment.”

Prior to co-founding the Institute for Justice, Mellor served as President of the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy. He also served in the Department of Energy during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Mellor earned his undergraduate degree from Ohio State University and his J.D. from the University of Denver School of Law.

The selection was based on nominations solicited from more than 200 prominent individuals across the country and chosen by a Selection Committee, which included Terry Considine, Pierre S. du Pont, Robert P. George, Michael W. Grebe (Bradley Prizes Committee Chair), Alan Charles Kors, Charles Krauthammer, Dianne J. Sehler, Shelby Steele and George F. Will.

“Through the Bradley Prizes, we recognize individuals like Chip Mellor who have made outstanding contributions, in hopes that others will strive for excellence in their respective fields,” said Mr. Grebe.

Founded in 1985, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation is devoted to strengthening American democratic capitalism and the institutions, principles and values that sustain and nurture it. Its programs support limited, competent government; a dynamic marketplace for economic, intellectual and cultural activity; and a vigorous defense, at home and abroad, of American ideas and institutions. Recognizing that responsible self-government depends on enlightened citizens and informed public opinion, the Foundation supports scholarly studies and academic achievement.

Mellor said, “It is amazing for me to be in the company of previous recipients as well as those who are also receiving the honor this year. This is a testament to the fact that you can change the world and have fun doing it while putting constitutional constraints on the size and scope of government power.”