Center for Individual Rights

Center for Individual Rights
AbbreviationCIR
Formation1988
FounderMichael McDonald
and Michael Greve[1][2][3]
TypePublic interest law firm
52-1600481
Legal status501(c)(3) non-profit
PurposeTo provide representation on issues of significant public interest[4]
Location
  • 1100 Connecticut Ave. NW,
    Washington, DC 20036
Coordinates38°54′23″N 77°02′40″W / 38.9065°N 77.0445°W / 38.9065; -77.0445
Region
United States
MethodsLitigating and publicizing individual cases
President
Todd F. Gaziano
Revenue (2015)
$2,280,370[5]
Expenses (2015)$2,139,103[5]
Websitewww.cir-usa.org

The Center for Individual Rights (CIR) is a non-profit public interest law firm in the United States.[6] Based in Washington, D.C., the firm is "dedicated to the defense of individual liberties against the increasingly aggressive and unchecked authority of federal and state governments". The Center is officially nonpartisan. Its work focuses on enforcement of constitutional limits on state and federal power, primarily through litigation.

CIR's primary focus for most of its existence has been challenges to what it regards as unconstitutional or unlawful preferences based on race, sex, or another identity group. It has represented members of many races but is best known for challenging affirmative action. Another major focus for CIR is free speech. It has represented individuals and groups, often in university environments, challenging attempts to interfere with speech deemed "politically incorrect". A third focus has been federalism, the attempt to prevent Congress from legislating beyond the powers provided to it in the Constitution.

  1. ^ Greenhouse, Linda (2002-12-10). "Method of Legal Services Financing Is Challenged Before Supreme Court". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  2. ^ King, Wayne; Weaver Jr, Warren (1987-02-10). "Washington Talk: Briefing; A Legal Battle on Judges". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Savage, David G. (2002-12-10). "$5 Dispute Could Decide Fate of Legal Aid Program". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  4. ^ Organizational Profile Archived 2014-12-22 at the Wayback MachineNational Center for Charitable Statistics (Urban Institute)
  5. ^ a b "Center for Individual Rights" (PDF). Foundation Center. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  6. ^ Ivers, Gregg; McGuire, Kevin T. (2004). Creating Constitutional Change. Clashes over Power and Liberty in the Supreme Court. p. 313.