| A Better World

Institute for Justice -- A Pro-Freedom Gem

by Kevin D. Rollins

Jim Turbett and I were afforded a lovely evening in the new offices of the Institute for Justice, which recently moved from the District out to a larger and more impressive office in Arlington, VA. IJ is celebrating 15 years of "litigating for liberty" and they deserve a toast to their fine success.

The new office almost seems like a museum, or a showroom for their many accomplishments, as they have pictures of clients, cover-stories of national news magazines covering their cases, and "I am IJ" ads posted attractively in between offices and cubicles. It affects a comfortable, friendly air, even while the visitor knows that these spaces must house the work of some very serious and effective people

And the staff is serious and effective, but they are definitely not miserable Washingtonian gray suits. They obviously are in love with their work and they could not have been more hospitable to us. Like the office, they don't find professionalism and humanity to be at odds. Chip Mellor is correct to describe his team as a "Merry Band of Litigators."

IJ fights battles which most Americans should appreciate. I agree with Jim's comment that if a political organization was searching for a mission, it could not do better than to adopt IJ's priorities and positions. IJ's sucess is well deserved and I look forward to the great things we shall see from them in the future.

~Kevin D. Rollins