Memberships

The New York Bar

Andrew Ward is an attorney with the Institute for Justice, where he protects economic liberty, private property, and free speech. He is a leader in IJ’s new 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.

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.

Andrew's Cases

Economic Liberty | Fresh Start | Occupational Licensing

California Firefighter Fresh Start

Dario Gurrola is a part-time firefighter who wants to turn his passion into a full-time job. But California prevents him from getting an EMT license because of a prior criminal conviction for which he’s already…

Hair, Braiding, Louisiana

Cosmetology | Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing

Louisiana Hair Braiders Fight For Right To Earn An Honest Living

Hair-braiders in Louisiana are required to complete 500 hours of unnecessary and irrelevant training, pass an exam and pay annual licensing fees just to do their job. Many hair braiders have moved to neighboring states,…

Code Enforcement | Fines and Fees | Private Property

Florida Man Could Lose His Home For Having Long Grass

Nobody should lose their home because their grass is too long, but that’s exactly what the city of Dunedin is trying to do to Jim Ficken. Jim and IJ are fighting back against these excessive…

Cosmetology | Economic Liberty | Fresh Start | Occupational Licensing

Law Denies Women Right to Work Because of Irrelevant Criminal Convictions

A Pennsylvania law prevented Amanda and Courtney from earning an honest living because of unrelated criminal records. After IJ stepped in to defend their rights, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled this law was unconstitutional.

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Andrew's News, Articles & Publications

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