The Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation

"If you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat."-Ronald Reagan

The Goldwater Institute is in the business of developing and promoting good ideas. But sometimes you need more than good ideas. Sometimes you need a good lawyer. The mission of the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation is to protect the rights that Americans recognize as fundamental. The center is the first associated with a policy organization to exclusively litigate state issues, recognizing that in many instances state constitutions offer the strongest protections of individual liberty. Unfortunately, the Arizona constitution’s protections of individual liberty and limitations on government power have been eroded. The center will litigate in such areas as fiscal responsibility, school choice, and property rights to assist individuals the government has harmed, and ensure all Arizonans enjoy their constitutional rights.

The Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation at the Goldwater Institute recognizes that a lack of personal resources to fund legal action often deprives citizens of their ability to challenge unconstitutional laws and unlawful regulations. When it comes to defending themselves against overreaching government, too many citizens are indigent. Therefore, the Center has, as one of its primary purposes, the goal of representing the indigent to enforce their constitutional rights to free speech, property and economic liberty.

Case Suggestions and Requests

If you believe your constitutional rights have been violated by the government please read here to learn more about how the Goldwater Institute can defend your rights.

Help Defend Freedom

Our clients receive free legal representation thanks to the generosity of our donors. If you would like to make a donation to the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation please contact Erica Wrublik at (602) 462-5000 ext 237 or ewrublik@goldwaterinstitute.org.

Start Your Own State Constitutional Litigation Center

This blueprint provides a sketch of how state-based, market-oriented policy organizations can add the power of litigation to their policy arsenals.

Litigation Center Clerkship and Externship Program

If you are currently a law student you may be interested in a clerkship or externship at Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation. Please apply.

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