Champions for a Free and Just America

All too often, America’s promise of opportunity, freedom, and justice for all is broken. Authorities seize cars and cash without evidence of a crime; issue crippling fines for minor violations; rig markets to benefit special interests; arrest people for speaking out; and more.

The Institute for Justice fights back. We are a nonprofit, public interest law firm that challenges widespread abuses of government power. Our work is powered by nearly 10,000 supporters across the country who believe in the Constitution. We represent our clients free of charge—and when we win, we secure precedent that protects all Americans.

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our issues

Economic Liberty

IJ believes that all people have the right to earn an honest living in the occupation of their choice without arbitrary, unnecessary, or protectionist government interference. We defend mostly lower-income workers against unjust licensing, permitting, and other restrictions.

Property Rights

IJ is the preeminent defender of property rights for ordinary people. We protect the right of all Americans to own and enjoy their property free from unjust seizures, searches, and fines.

First Amendment

IJ fights for the right to speak freely about the issues that matter most to ordinary people and to defend the free flow of information essential to democratic government and free enterprise.

Immunity & Accountability

IJ works to eliminate barriers to government accountability, including qualified immunity and other legal doctrines that let government workers violate constitutional rights with impunity.

What We’ve Done

Argued at the U.S. Supreme Court 10 times, with 8 victories

Curtailed government abuse and expanded individual liberty through over 200 legislative reforms

Saved 20,000 homes and businesses from eminent domain abuse

Rolled back needlessly burdensome regulations in 44, mostly low-income, occupations

Returned $21 million in assets wrongfully seized through civil forfeiture

And much more

How We Do It

Each case IJ files is crafted to set a precedent that will protect the rights of countless others like our clients. By building up hundreds of victories over our three decades, IJ is changing the law and enabling ever more Americans to pursue their dreams. But we know that success in court alone is not enough.

So we engage in legislative advocacy and grassroots activism, author original research, deploy award-winning communications, and operate a clinic for low-income entrepreneurs and a center of scholarship and debate on the proper role of the judiciary. Together, these activities are changing the law and the real-world experience of individuals across the country.

Recent Cases

Eminent Domain | Private Property

Bowers v. Oneida County Industrial Development Agency

Can the government take your property just to hand it over to your business competitor? That is the question New York developer Bryan Bowers is asking the United States Supreme Court after New York’s courts…

Educational Choice | Publicly Funded Scholarships

South Carolina ESAs

In 2023, South Carolina created the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (“ESTF”) program. This student aid program grants thousands of qualifying, low-income families a $6,000 scholarship that parents can use for educational expenses for their children—things…

First Amendment | First Amendment Retaliation | Immunity and Accountability

Atmore, Alabama Retaliation

Four residents of a small Alabama county were targeted for retaliation by a district attorney and sheriff. Now, they are suing with IJ to protect their constitutional rights.

Our History

Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice has grown from a five-person startup to a nationally recognized civil liberties law firm with offices in six states. In that time, we’ve litigated more than 400 cases and represented more than 1,200 clients.