Andrew Ward

Andrew Ward is a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice, where he protects economic liberty, private property, and free speech. He is a leader in IJ’s Fresh Start practice, which challenges laws that unfairly prevent people with criminal records from earning an honest living.

Andrew led IJ’s first Fresh Start case, a successful challenge to a Pennsylvania law that required would-be cosmetologists to prove that they were good people before they could work in skincare. The lawsuit helped inspire reform that eliminated vague “good moral character” requirements throughout the state. He also second chaired DeVillier v. Texas, the Supreme Court case establishing that Texans can bring Fifth Amendment Takings claims against the state.

Before joining IJ, Andrew clerked for Judge Edward Korman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He has also been a litigation associate at the New York office of Sullivan & Cromwell and a law clerk to Judge Raymond Gruender of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Andrew received his law degree, magna cum laude, from New York University. He has undergraduate degrees in mathematics, physics, and English.