Patrick Jaicomo is a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice and one of the leaders of IJ’s Project on Immunity and Accountability. Through the project, Patrick works to promote judicial engagement and ensure that government officials are held to account when they violate individuals’ constitutional rights.
In November 2020, Patrick argued Brownback v. King before the U.S. Supreme Court. That case, which involves the brutal choking and beating of an innocent college student by law enforcement officers working as members of a state-federal task force, will now return to the Sixth Circuit. There, the court will decide whether two claims brought in the same lawsuit can cancel each other out, simply because one of the claims was brought against the federal government. Patrick has litigated accountability issues—including qualified immunity and the restriction of constitutional claims against federal workers—across the country and at every level of the federal court system.
Before joining IJ, Patrick was a litigator at a private firm, where he cultivated a civil rights practice and handled all manner of cases in state and federal court. He earned his law degree from the University of Chicago and a degree in economics and political science from the University of Notre Dame.
Patrick was born and raised in rural, Steuben County, Indiana, where he met his wife and IJ colleague, Kenzie. The Jaicomos live in Arlington, Virginia, where Patrick maintains a basement full of vinyl records and guitars.
Patrick’s work has been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and USA Today. He has also appeared on numerous podcasts and in other forms of media.
Patrick's Cases

Immunity and Accountability
An Officer’s Lies Ruined the Lives of Dozens, Yet The Courts Protect Her from Accountability
It is well documented that St. Paul police officer Heather Weyker fabricated a crime ring and single-handedly ruined the lives of dozens of people, who she landed in federal prison through what one federal…

First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability
J.T.H., et al v. Spring Cook, et al.
Investigations can be an effective tool for intimidation. Government officials across the ideological spectrum weaponize this power to punish those who speak out against them. The stories of junk investigations are legion. Los Angeles just…

Immunity and Accountability
Man fights to uphold court ruling that judges aren't above the law
The Institute for Justice (IJ) teamed up with a West Virginia man whose rights were violated by a Raleigh County family court judge. IJ and Matthew Gibson are urging the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of…

4th Amendment Project | Immunity and Accountability
Couple Sues Alexandria Over Unconstitutional Traffic Stop and Roadside Interrogation
Mario Rosales and his girlfriend were pulled over for failing to signal, but a police camera clearly showed him signaling. Now Mario is suing over the Alexandria Police Department's "fishing trip" traffic stops.

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.

Immunity and Accountability
Lawsuit Appeal Asks Court If Deputy Should Get Immunity Even Though His Actions Landed Him in Prison
Mario Rosales was held at gunpoint by an off-duty sheriff's deputy even though he had done nothing wrong. Still, a court granted the officer qualified immunity and dismissed Mario's civil rights lawsuit.

Immunity and Accountability
U.S. Supreme Court Appeal: Government Official with No Police Authority Pulled Over and Detained Drivers, Yet Granted Qualified Immunity
Can any government employee—such as a highway engineer who was never granted any police authority whatsoever—pull you over and detain you? Yes, at least if one federal appeals court gets its way.

4th Amendment Project | Immunity and Accountability
Oakland Activist Sues to Hold Postal Officers Accountable for Illegal Search and Seizure of his Mail
The U.S. Post Office cannot open someone's mail without getting a warrant.

Immunity and Accountability
Will Federal Cops Remain Above the Law?
When police violate the rights of Americans, as they did to Kevin Byrd and Hamdi Mahmoud, they should be held accountable. IJ is asking the Supreme Court to take both of these cases and ensure…

Immunity and Accountability
Oliva v. Nivar
José Oliva was brutally beaten by federal officers in an unprovoked attack at a VA Hospital. This attack violated his Fourth Amendment rights, and IJ filed a petition to have the Supreme Court take on…

First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability
Texas woman fights back after local officials in Castle Hills have her arrested and jailed for criticizing city government
After she won her election to city council, Sylvia Gonzalez immediately began getting harassed by city officials whom she had criticized in the past. It got so bad she was even arrested and thrown in…

Immunity and Accountability
Taking on The Shell Games That Allow Federal/State Task Force Members To Violate Your Rights
Brownback v. King is IJ’s first Immunity and Accountability case that was argued before the United States Supreme Court. It involves James King, an innocent college student who was brutally beaten and choked unconscious by…

Eminent Domain | Private Property
Institute for Justice Asks U.S. Supreme Court to End Colorado Law Permitting Neighbors to Engage in Eminent Domain Abuse
Imagine if two of your neighbors got together, claimed they established a new town, and then “voted” to take your property from you using eminent domain. Crazy, right? Not in Colorado, where the owners of…

Fines and Fees | Private Property
Washington Street Fees
Linda Cameron wanted to add a bedroom and bathroom to her modest home, but the city of Richland told her she’d first have to pay for renovations to the city’s streets adjoining her property. The…
Patrick's Research & Reports
Immunity and Accountability
Unqualified Immunity and the Betrayal of Butz v. Economou: How the Supreme Court Quietly Granted Federal Officials Absolute Immunity for Constitutional Violations
Betraying the long history of federal accountability in the United States, the modern Supreme Court has ushered in an era of increasingly absolute and unqualified immunity for federal officials.
Immunity and Accountability
Recalibrating Qualified Immunity: How Tanzin v. Tanvir, Taylor v. Riojas, and McCoy v. Alamu Signal the Supreme Court’s Discomfort with the Doctrine of Qualified Immunity
Recent decisions by the Supreme Court offer the strongest signal in decades that the Court is ready to recalibrate its qualified immunity jurisprudence.
Patrick's Amicus Briefs
Donald Logsdon, Jr. v. United States Marshal Service, et. al.
10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Long Lake Township v. Maxon
Michigan Supreme Court
Leuthauser v. USA
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
Craig v. Martin
U.S. Court of the Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
People of the State of Michigan v. Travis Michael Johnson
Michigan Supreme Court
Egbert v. Boule
U.S. Supreme Court
J.W. v. Paley
5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Cope v. Cogdill
5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Thompson v. Clark
U.S. Supreme Court
Mitchell v. Morton County Sheriff
8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Jessop v. Fresno
Tanzin v. Tanvir
U.S. Supreme Court