Caroline Grace Brothers is an attorney with the Institute for Justice. Since joining IJ’s headquarters office in 2019 as a Constitutional Law Fellow, she has litigated cases concerning free speech, property rights, and economic liberty across the country.
She earned her J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. During law school, she worked as a Dave Kennedy Fellow at IJ, as a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, and as an Alexander Hamilton Fellow with the C. Boyden Gray Center for the Study of the Administrative State. Caroline Grace studied history at Hillsdale College, and she is originally from Nashville, Tennessee.
Caroline Grace is licensed in the District of Columbia.
Caroline Grace's Cases
First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability
Ohio Man Arrested and Prosecuted for Facebook Joke Appeals to Supreme Court
Anthony Novak was arrested by his local police after he parodied the department on Facebook. His lawsuit against the city was dismissed after the officers were given qualified immunity.
First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability
Louisiana Man Arrested for Facebook Joke Seeks to Hold Sheriff’s Deputies Accountable
Waylon Bailey was arrested after making a joke about his local sheriff's office. His First Amendment lawsuit was dismissed after the deputies were granted qualified immunity.
First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability | Political Speech
East Cleveland’s Government Weaponized its Police to Punish a Political Opponent. He’s Fighting to Hold It Accountable.
Cities can’t use the police to punish political speech.
Cosmetology | Economic Liberty | Hair Braiding | Occupational Licensing
Three Idaho Women Challenge State’s Requirement for Hair Braiders to Obtain Cosmetology License
Three braiders in Idaho challenged state requirements to spend thousands of dollars and a year of their lives for an unnecessary license.
Private Property
Pasco County Residents Challenge Sheriff’s Harassment Based on Potential “Future Crimes”
In true dystopian fashion, Pasco County in Florida, harasses people at their own homes through a method called “predictive policing.” The system tramples on the rights of Pasco residents by placing them under near-constant surveillance.
Economic Liberty | Food Freedom
Neighbors Challenge County’s Burdensome Regulations on Little Free Pantries
Thanks to a lawsuit she filed with IJ, Kathy Hay can now share food with her neighbors in Asotin County, Washington, using a “little free pantry” in her backyard. Before the lawsuit, Kathy wasn’t allowed…
Private Property
Illinois Family Sues to End Law Threatening Them With Compulsory Eviction for a Crime They Did Not Commit
Granite City, Illinois is trying to kick Andy Simpson and Debi Brumit out of their home for a crime they didn’t commit. Andy and Debi are fighting back with IJ to uphold the basic principle…
Civil Forfeiture | Private Property
Pennsylvania newspaper fights local district attorney to make forfeiture records public
Americans have a right to know details about misdeeds being committed by their government. LancasterOnline, a publication in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, worked with IJ to ensure citizens have access to information about what police are taking…
Caroline Grace's Research & Reports
Conning the Competition
A Certificate Of Need (CON) is a government-mandated permission slip to start or expand a business. Think of a CON like an expensive admission ticket to access an exclusive club. You can be sure that…
Caroline Grace's Amicus Briefs
Villarreal v. Laredo (En Banc)
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States v. $69,490.50 in U.S. Currency
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Villarreal v. Laredo