Institute for Justice

The Institute for Justice is a champion for a free and just America. Our mission is to end widespread abuses of government power and secure the constitutional rights that allow all Americans to pursue their dreams.

Through strategic public interest litigation, IJ vindicates our clients’ rights while establishing enduring legal protection for countless others like them. With each victory, IJ steadily reshapes the legal landscape to favor individual freedom over government power.

IJ’s approach to public interest law is multifaceted—and uniquely effective.

We litigate cutting-edge constitutional cases in state and federal courts to vindicate the rights of Americans who would otherwise have no advocate in the face of government abuse. Each case we take—free of charge—is strategically chosen to advance IJ’s mission and to tangibly impact the lives of countless others like our clients.

IJ also champions our issues in the court of public opinion. By combining our litigation efforts with award-winning communications, legislative advocacy, grassroots activism, and original social science research, we elevate our clients and the principles they stand for to national prominence.

Using this powerful approach, IJ wins nearly three out of every four cases we file through litigation or legislative reform. We leverage and build on these victories through grassroots training and community engagement, equipping ordinary citizens with the tools, strategies, and support to stand up for their rights.

Our efforts have driven signature IJ issues—including eminent domain abuse, civil forfeiture, and occupational licensing laws—from obscurity to the center of public debate and generated sweeping, real-world reforms in each area of our mission.

With three decades of experience litigating civil rights lawsuits, IJ is the acknowledged expert in each area of our mission. Our track record of success includes nearly 400 cases representing more than 1,000 clients, eight U.S. Supreme Court victories, more than 200 legislative reforms, and winning nearly 75% of the cases we file.

IJ is well-positioned to build on this success going forward. We have a staff of about 150—including more than 60 attorneys—located in six offices across the nation. With 90+ cases in active litigation across dozens of states at any one time, we are putting these capabilities to maximum use in our fight for liberty.

IJ also trains dozens of law students each year to practice effective public interest law and operates the nation’s only law school clinic with a singular focus on helping low-income entrepreneurs overcome government red tape and get into business.

In every area of IJ’s work, the law is far more favorable to individual liberty today than when we first opened our doors in 1991. Through our incremental, strategic approach, IJ has:

- Won more than 200 victories empowering hardworking Americans to earn an honest living, rolling back unjust regulations in more than 42 distinct occupations.
- Returned more than $19 million in wrongfully seized cash, cars, homes, and other property to innocent Americans.
- Won more than 45 victories allowing our clients to share their political opinions, promote their businesses, or earn a living by speaking freely to others .
- Saved more than 20,000 homes and businesses from the government’s wrecking ball.
- Successfully defended dozens of educational choice programs that have awarded millions of scholarships to children seeking a better education.

We accomplished all of this while adhering to the highest standards of financial transparency and accountability, a commitment that has earned us Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating for 20 consecutive years.

Each victory we win is the launching pad for increasingly ambitious efforts that push IJ’s mission forward and secure the rights of ever more Americans. Case by case, IJ will continue to persuade audiences ranging from judges to the general public that constitutional limits on government power are vital to ensuring America’s future as a land of opportunity and prosperity.