Changes

Founded in 1991 by [[Chip Mellor]] and [[Clint Bolick]], the '''Institute for Justice''' is a US [[libertarian]] U.S. non-profit public interest law firm. [[John Blundell]] was also a founder director. [http://www.lse.ac.uk/clubs/hayek/capitalism.htm]Its mission is to provide pro bono legal advice and representation, representing its clients free of charge while litigating strategically to pursue its [[libertarian]] agenda. It supports four core ideals: free speech, property rights, economic liberty and school choice. On 4 March 2002, the Institute for Justice launched an activist project called the Castle Coalition, aimed at fighting eminent domain abuse. IJ has established state chapters in Arizona, Minnesota, Texas and Washington.

The Institute has been involved in numerous high-profile cases. Particularly noteworthy cases include ''Coking vs. C.R.D.A''"In pursuit , in which they defended the right of its goal Vera Coking to stay in her home despite the intent of Donald Trump to use her land for a radical laissez-faire capitalismparking lot, and the Institute has initiated a number landmark U.S. Supreme Court eminent domain lawsuit of lawsuits aimed at ending government regulation ''Kelo v. City of businessNew London'', winning the former and losing the latter. They were involved with several other U. While the S. Supreme Court lawsuits generally involve small businessesincluding ''Swedenburg v. Kelly'', often in communities involving the interstate sale of colorwine, the goal is to set a legal precedent for the deregulation of big business ''Lawrence v. Texas'', which struck down sodomy laws in generalTexas, ''Zelman v. Utilizing both litigation and public advocacySimmons-Harris'', the Institute has also played a critical role in school choice case involving the groundbreaking school voucher programs in Milwaukee Establishment Clause and Cleveland''Gonzales v. "Raich'' , where the Institute issued an ''amicus curiae'' brief on behalf of a medical marijuana patient.[http://mywww.execpcmarijuana.comorg/~ajrc/ifjbloomberg11-29-04.htmlhtm]

However, aside from providing legal assistance In a addition to businesseslitigation, "the Institute has occasionally given help [takes its cases] to individuals against government oppression. One example was in the Supreme Court case ''Gonzales v. Raich'', the Institute issued an ''amicus curiae'' brief on behalf court of public opinion with a medical marijuana patientblitz of editorials and op-eds in leading local and national newspapers."[http://www.marijuanaij.org/bloomberg11-29-04publications/liberty/1997/l_9_97_e.htmhtml]

In a addition to litigationAs part of its free speech efforts, "the Institute is involved with [[takes its casescampaign finance reform]] to . The Arizona chapter has filed a lawsuit challenging the court of public opinion with a blitz of editorials and op-eds in leading local and national newspapers."[http://wwwClean Elections Act".ij.org/publications/liberty/1997/l_9_97_e.html]

One of The initial funding for the Institute came from the target of [[Koch Family Foundations]], which also funds the libertarian [[Cato Institute is ]] and [[campaign finance reformCitizens for a Sound Economy]]. The [[Walton Family Foundation]] also contributed money. The Arizona chapter has filed a lawsuit challenging Institute currently receives funding from individuals and organizations that cross the political spectrum, including the liberal Annie E. Casey Foundation and Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to the conservative Bradley Foundation. In July 2009, Charity Navigator rated the Institute with its highest Four Star Rating for the "Clean Elections Act"eighth consecutive year.

The initial funding for Washingtonian Magazine ranked the Institute came from for Justice as one of the top 50 Great Places to Work in Washington DC. [[Koch Family Foundations]], which also fund the libertarian [[Cato Institute]] and [[Citizens for a Sound Economy]]http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/businesscareers/2160. The [[Walton Family Foundationhtml]] also contributed money.

*[[Brian MontgomerySteven Anderson]], Director of Finance & Administration