Institute for Justice

"Chance The Rapper's song, “Together,” is more than just a powerful tribute to the importance of home and neighborhood. It’s a powerful warning about the dangers of #EminentDomain, an extremely potent tool governments have used—and abused—for decades."

At the Institute for Justice, we litigate in the court of law and the court of public opinion. So, if you #lateral to IJ, you can keep writing briefs, motions, and the odd discovery letter. But you can also fight for your clients in media interviews (which awesome colleagues like Andrew Wimer can train you not to fear even if you, hypothetically, have a minor lisp and haven’t appeared on camera much before you came to IJ). I got to do just that last week for our clients in Brentwood, Missouri. And so could you (if you come to IJ)! https://lnkd.in/eVREacYy

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. But too often, job-creating entrepreneurs struggle with local regulatory burdens, trapped by high fees, long wait times, and complex and confusing paperwork—all before opening day. IJ's new report “From Barriers to Breakthroughs” provides step-by-step guidance to local advocates who want to create an environment where entrepreneurs can thrive.

The Institute for Justice is more than just a law firm. Check out our different teams and see where you could make a meaningful impact. Visit ij.org/careers/ to apply!

If you ask the average American what the 4th Amendment means, they’ll probably say something like, If the government wants to enter my property, it has to get a warrant. In general, they would be right. But there are exceptions, and some of those exceptions are shockingly large — so large that they threaten to swallow the rule. Read more from Joshua Windham at the State Court Report:

I'm hiring! Do you know any junior level recruiters in the DC area? This is a great opportunity for an internal role at an amazing non-profit law firm. We have a fun team and it's truly collegial (yes, that word is so overused in describing an office culture, but I promise it's accurate!!!) work environment. https://lnkd.in/enPe6HGM

New Forbes article today about IJ's latest school choice case. In Massachusetts, kids are guaranteed special education services if they qualify. But the state won't provide those services at any private school if that is the school the parents selected. Absurdly, the state occasionally assigns kids with special need to private schools and does then provide those services. That means sometimes two kids with similar needs at the same school aren't treated the same. The discrimination is rooted in a very old law rooted in bigotry. I write about the history of Massachusetts restriction and the other Blaine Amendments that were all the rage in 19th century America. https://lnkd.in/evEX34vk

Watch IJ Attorney Anya Bidwell describe her experience arguing a major First Amendment retaliation case before the Supreme Court.

For nearly 2 decades, Midland County, Texas employed Ralph Petty as both a prosecutor and the righthand advisor to the same judges who decided the cases he prosecuted. Erma Wilson is one of the hundreds of people whose prosecutions were impacted by that clear conflict of interest. Tomorrow, the entire 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will convene to decide whether Erma is entitled to her day in court.

For more than a century, the freedom to use property has been eroded by abusive zoning practices that disregard individual liberty and emphasize top-down planning over property rights. Now, IJ's new Zoning Justice Project is fighting back.