Are courts serious about protecting small businesses?
IJ attorneys Rob Johnson and Andrew Ward discuss our efforts to defend entrepreneurs from patterns of regulatory abuse.
They explore the timely world of administrative law—in which myriad federal regulatory agencies circumvent the court system and hand down ruinous fines and fees, forcing small businesses to either pay up or shut down. Additionally, Rob and Andrew highlight IJ’s major 2015 victory for economic liberty at the Texas Supreme Court; our recent work to export that precedent to other states (with several more soon to follow); and our plans to build on this success nationwide.
Recorded October, 9 2024, 2024
Supreme Court Term Review
Director of Communications Kim Norberg, Deputy Litigation Director Bob McNamara, and Senior Vice President and Litigation Director Dana Berliner discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s recently ended term. With two decisions in IJ cases and other decisions on civil forfeiture, free speech, administrative law, and more, there’s a lot to talk about.
Recorded July 11, 2024
History of Judicial Review
IJ Attorney John Wrench and Director of Donor Communications Kim Norberg discuss the nature of constitutional rights and the origin of the courts’ power to declare laws unconstitutional.
Recorded May 8, 2024
How IJ Builds a Case
Senior IJ attorney Jeff Rowes and IJ attorney Josh Windham give us an inside look into how IJ builds a case and how our knowledge of the court system plays into our overall litigation strategy.
Recorded December 8, 2023
IJ Trials
In this webinar, IJ Attorneys Will Aronin and Ben Field share their first-hand experiences advocating for IJ & our clients in front of judges and juries nationwide.
Recorded June 29, 2023
SECURE Act 2.0 and How It Might Impact You
In this episode of IJ LIVE, Rob Peccola discussed SECURE Act 2.0, which contains a slate of changes to the retirement system. Discussion of a unique opportunity available through the law to maximize charitable giving to the causes you most care about.
- Click below to listen to a video recording of the discussion.
- View a script of the call.
- Due to audio issues at the time of recording the introductory segment of the video has been removed. This portion of the video is available in the script linked above.
Recorded on February 24, 2023
A $100,000 Parking Ticket? What To Do About Outrageous Fines, Fees, and Forfeitures
Scott Bullock, Diana Simpson, and Jennifer McDonald discussed what research reveals about fines, fees, and forfeitures–and what IJ is doing to change the law on these issues. The team also spoke about the most important battles happening on the ground today and our plans for the coming months.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on March 24, 2021
U.S. Supreme Court Briefing: Brownback v. King
IJ supporters joined Scott Bullock, Patrick Jaicomo, and Anya Bidwell to reflect on the Brownback v. King argument and to discuss the future of IJ’s Project on Immunity and Accountability during these times of unrest and uncertainty.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on November 18, 2020
Strategic Giving During COVID-19:
New Charitable and Tax Considerations in 2020
The legislative response to the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of American life, including financial planning and charitable giving to organizations like IJ.
Melanie Hildreth and Rob Peccola discussed how you can give smarter today—and in the future—under the new CARES Act and SECURE Act. From new deductions to new requirements, Congress gave Americans a lot of financial considerations to wade through this year. This call may help prepare you for a fruitful conversation with your financial advisor when evaluating the impact of 2020 on your planning.
- View a summary of the call.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on October 15, 2020
U.S. Supreme Court Roundup: The Impact of This Term’s Decisions and IJ’s Victory.
IJ supporters joined Scott Bullock, Dana Berliner, and Robert McNamara to reflect on the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2019-2020 term, including a landmark IJ victory for educational choice: a 5-4 decision that will empower families to choose the right school for their needs. The team also discussed other notable decisions this term—as well as cases the Court declined to take—and how those cases will impact the broader fight for liberty. The panel closed the call by previewing IJ’s upcoming case before the Court on government immunity and accountability.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on July 23, 2020
Briefing on New IJ Project on Immunity and Accountability
Scott Bullock, Robert McNamara, and Justin Wilson discussed how IJ came to be involved in issues of government immunity and the ways that it intersects with the work we have been doing for years. They also talked about what the Project on Immunity and Accountability entails and how it presents a new avenue for growth and an opportunity in the fight to advance individual liberty.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on February 4, 2020
IJ Returns to the U.S. Supreme Court to Remove the Biggest Legal Barrier to Educational Choice
IJ is heading back to the U.S. Supreme Court this winter to strike at the heart of the biggest remaining legal obstacle impeding educational choice: state Blaine Amendments. Our case, Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, is a vindication of nearly 30 years of litigation by IJ to secure educational choice and of our long-term strategy for bringing about monumental legal change. Scott Bullock, Bert Gall, and Tim Keller discussed how IJ has carefully laid the legal foundation for ultimate victory at the nation’s highest court. This landmark case has the potential not only to restore educational freedom in Montana but also to unleash educational opportunities in more than a dozen states where Blaine provisions prevent choice programs altogether.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on October 15, 2019
U.S. Supreme Court Roundup
IJ President and General Counsel, Scott Bullock, and attorneys Dana Berliner, Michael Bindas, and Sam Gedge reflected on the 2018-2019 term at the U.S. Supreme Court, including IJ’s two victories this year: a landmark, unanimous ruling on behalf of forfeiture victim Tyson Timbs; and a 7-2 decision defending the right of Doug and Mary Ketchum to earn an honest living. They shared behind-the-scenes details on where these clients are today and IJ’s plans to leverage these victories in the months ahead to transform both the law and the lives of everyday Americans.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on July 31, 2019
U.S. Supreme Court Briefing on Timbs v. Indiana
IJ President and General Counsel Scott Bullock, Senior Attorney Wesley Hottot, and Attorney Sam Gedge reflected on the argument and elaborated on IJ’s future efforts to end abusive fines, fees, and forfeitures.
- View a transcript of the Timbs v. Indiana argument.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on December 6, 2018
Making Your Charitable Dollars Go Further
IJ Vice President for External Relations Melanie Hildreth and IJ Attorney Rob Peccola discussed ways to make cheaper, easier, and smarter gifts to charities like IJ, including strategies that allow you to maximize what your gift can do to advance liberty while avoiding taxation, and even paying you income.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Discover the benefits of giving wisely.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording.
Recorded on August 30, 2018
Licensed to Work: How Occupational Licensing Shuts Down Honest Enterprise—and How to Stop It
IJ Senior Director of Strategic Research Lisa Knepper and IJ Vice President for External Relations Melanie Hildreth discuss the second edition of IJ’s pathbreaking License to Work report, and the critical role IJ plays in preventing and upending irrational and burdensome state licensing laws.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Check out our website for the second edition of IJ’s License to Work report.
- The Inverted Pyramid: 10 Less Restrictive Alternatives to Occupational Licensing.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on January 31, 2018
The Fight for Free Speech: IJ’s Role in Defending Our First Amendment Right
IJ Senior Attorney Paul Sherman and IJ Attorney Greg Reed discuss IJ’s role in protecting American’s right to speak freely. Our litigation ensures that speakers and listeners can determine the value of speech—rather than the government. Paul and Greg describe IJ’s free speech litigation strategy, let Partners know what is in store for the future, and answer questions from participants live during the call.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on August 23, 2017
The Fight for Educational Freedom: IJ’s Role in Seizing the Opportunities of 2017
IJ-Arizona Managing Attorney Tim Keller and Vice President for External Relations Melanie Hildreth discuss the critical role that IJ plays in protecting and advancing educational choice. Melanie and Tim break down IJ’s unique school choice litigation strategy, preview some of the exciting developments we expect to see in 2017, and answer questions from Partners live during the call.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on January 17, 2017
2016 Strategy Call: Pursuing IJ’s Mission Amid a Shifting Legal and Political Landscape
IJ President and General Counsel Scott Bullock and Senior Vice President and Litigation Director Dana Berliner discuss the changing legal and political landscape and how it will impact IJ’s ability to pursue our mission. Moderated by Short Circuit Editor and Producer John Ross, Scott and Dana highlight the specific challenges and opportunities IJ will face in the coming months and years and answer questions from Partners.
- View a transcript of the call.
- Learn more about IJ’s Short Circuit series.
- Click below to listen to an audio recording of the discussion.
Recorded on July 27, 2016
Meet the President
IJ’s new President and General Counsel Scott Bullock discusses his 25 years at the Institute for Justice and shares his vision for what the future holds for the National Law Firm for Liberty. Scott also provides an inside look at how IJ has grown and changed during his tenure and responds to questions from Partners.
Streamed on January 28, 2016
Liberty in Action
IJ Senior Director of Activism and Coalitions Christina Walsh takes Partners to the front lines of the fight for liberty. Joined by food truck entrepreneur and activist Ché Ruddell-Tabisola, Christina provides an inside look at how IJ empowers entrepreneurs, property owners, parents, and community leaders across the nation to take on City Hall—and win. Ché and Christina also offer tips for effectively defending liberty in your own backyard.
Streamed live on August 27, 2015
The Rational Basis Test
IJ Senior Attorney Robert McNamara explains one of liberty’s toughest courtroom foes—the rational basis test—and offers an in-depth look at IJ’s strategy to overcome it. Joining him is IJ client and animal massage entrepreneur Mercedes Clemens, whose case illustrates how IJ’s unique approach plays out in real life.
Streamed live on January 22, 2015
Summer Briefing
IJ President and General Counsel Chip Mellor discusses IJ’s accomplishments as we end the 2014 fiscal year and previews an exciting period of growth for the Institute.
Streamed live on July 23, 2014