Pacific Legal Foundation
Encyclopedia
Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is the first and oldest conservative/libertarian
public interest
law firm in the United States. PLF was established for the purpose of defending and promoting individual and economic freedom in the courts. To that end, PLF attorneys litigate, file amicus curiae
briefs, and participate in administrative proceedings with the goal of supporting free enterprise
, private property rights, reasonable environmental regulations, and the principle of limited government
.
PLF is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
, and contributions to the Foundation qualify for a charitable tax deduction. PLF does not charge for legal services, but instead provides representation in cases raising important policy issues that go beyond the narrow interest of the parties before the court.
Incorporated in Sacramento
, California
, on March 5, 1973, PLF’s staff was originally composed mainly of individuals who had been a part of then-Governor Ronald Reagan
’s welfare reform
team. Operating on a proposed budget of $117,000 for the first 10 months of operation, PLF attorneys began litigation activities in June 1973 under the direction of Ronald A. Zumbrun, PLF’s first president. Over the four decades of PLF’s existence, its attorneys have obtained favorable decisions from many of the nation’s courts.
1002 SE Monterey Commons Blvd.
Suite 102
Stuart, FL 34996
10940 NE 33rd Place, Suite 210
Bellevue, WA 98004
PLF's property rights cases have focused on regulatory takings. The Foundation's attorneys have successfully argued three takings cases at the United States Supreme Court: Nollan v. California Coastal Commission
, Suitum v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Palazzolo v. Rhode Island
.
Environmental Law
PLF's environmental law litigation has frequently involved challenges to federal regulation of private property under the Clean Water Act
or the Endangered Species Act
. For example, PLF attorneys represented a Minnesota property owner who was denied the right to build on his property in Contoski v. Scarlett, a case that resulted in the removal of the bald eagle from the endangered species list.
Individual Rights
PLF has participated in cases challenging government-sponsored race and sex preferences, both under the federal Constitution's Equal Protection Clause and state constitutional provisions such as California's Proposition 209 and Washington's I 200. Under its "Free Enterprise Project," PLF argues that certain licensing laws and similar regulations violate the individual right to earn a living and result in a loss of jobs and a lower standard of living for Americans.
(1990), Suitum v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (1997), Palazzolo v. Rhode Island
(2001), and Rapanos v. United States
(2006) PLF principal attorney Sharon L. Browne has won two significant victories in the California Supreme Court, upholding the constitutionality of Proposition 209.
In June of 2011, the United States Supreme Court granted PLF's petition for certiorari in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency
, a case that challenges EPA's practice of unilaterally asserting jurisdiction over private property without a hearing and without judicial review. The case will be argued on January 9, 2012.
Libertarianism
Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...
public interest
Public interest
The public interest refers to the "common well-being" or "general welfare." The public interest is central to policy debates, politics, democracy and the nature of government itself...
law firm in the United States. PLF was established for the purpose of defending and promoting individual and economic freedom in the courts. To that end, PLF attorneys litigate, file amicus curiae
Amicus curiae
An amicus curiae is someone, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it...
briefs, and participate in administrative proceedings with the goal of supporting free enterprise
Free enterprise
-Transport:* Free Enterprise I, a ferry in service with European Ferries between 1962 and 1980.* Free Enterprise II, a ferry in service with European Ferries between 1965 and 1982....
, private property rights, reasonable environmental regulations, and the principle of limited government
Limited government
Limited government is a government which anything more than minimal governmental intervention in personal liberties and the economy is generally disallowed by law, usually in a written constitution. It is written in the United States Constitution in Article 1, Section 8...
.
PLF is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
Internal Revenue Code
The Internal Revenue Code is the domestic portion of Federal statutory tax law in the United States, published in various volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, and separately as Title 26 of the United States Code...
, and contributions to the Foundation qualify for a charitable tax deduction. PLF does not charge for legal services, but instead provides representation in cases raising important policy issues that go beyond the narrow interest of the parties before the court.
Incorporated in Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, on March 5, 1973, PLF’s staff was originally composed mainly of individuals who had been a part of then-Governor Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
’s welfare reform
Welfare reform
Welfare reform refers to the process of reforming the framework of social security and welfare provisions, but what is considered reform is a matter of opinion. The term was used in the United States to support the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act...
team. Operating on a proposed budget of $117,000 for the first 10 months of operation, PLF attorneys began litigation activities in June 1973 under the direction of Ronald A. Zumbrun, PLF’s first president. Over the four decades of PLF’s existence, its attorneys have obtained favorable decisions from many of the nation’s courts.
Atlantic Center
Pacific Legal Foundation1002 SE Monterey Commons Blvd.
Suite 102
Stuart, FL 34996
Pacific Northwest Center
Pacific Legal Foundation10940 NE 33rd Place, Suite 210
Bellevue, WA 98004
Legal Program
Property RightsPLF's property rights cases have focused on regulatory takings. The Foundation's attorneys have successfully argued three takings cases at the United States Supreme Court: Nollan v. California Coastal Commission
Nollan v. California Coastal Commission
In Nollan v. California Coastal Commission, 483 U.S. 825 , the United States Supreme Court reviewed a regulation under which the California Coastal Commission required that an offer to dedicate a lateral public easement along the Nollans' beachfront lot be recorded on the chain of title to the...
, Suitum v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and Palazzolo v. Rhode Island
Palazzolo v. Rhode Island
Palazzolo v. Rhode Island, 533 U.S. 606 , was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that a claimant does not waive his right to challenge a regulation as an uncompensated regulatory taking by purchasing property after the enactment of the regulation...
.
Environmental Law
PLF's environmental law litigation has frequently involved challenges to federal regulation of private property under the Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
or the Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
. For example, PLF attorneys represented a Minnesota property owner who was denied the right to build on his property in Contoski v. Scarlett, a case that resulted in the removal of the bald eagle from the endangered species list.
Individual Rights
PLF has participated in cases challenging government-sponsored race and sex preferences, both under the federal Constitution's Equal Protection Clause and state constitutional provisions such as California's Proposition 209 and Washington's I 200. Under its "Free Enterprise Project," PLF argues that certain licensing laws and similar regulations violate the individual right to earn a living and result in a loss of jobs and a lower standard of living for Americans.
Cases
PLF has been involved in many important cases before the United States Supreme Court and other courts. PLF’s Supreme Court victories include Nollan v. California Coastal Commission (1987), Keller v. State Bar of CaliforniaKeller v. State Bar of California
Keller v. State Bar of California, 496 U.S. 1 , was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that attorneys who are required to be members of a state bar association have a First Amendment right to refrain from subsidizing the organization’s political or ideological activities.-...
(1990), Suitum v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (1997), Palazzolo v. Rhode Island
Palazzolo v. Rhode Island
Palazzolo v. Rhode Island, 533 U.S. 606 , was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that a claimant does not waive his right to challenge a regulation as an uncompensated regulatory taking by purchasing property after the enactment of the regulation...
(2001), and Rapanos v. United States
Rapanos v. United States
Rapanos v. United States, 547 U.S. 715 , was a United States Supreme Court case challenging federal jurisdiction to regulate isolated wetlands under the Clean Water Act. It was the first major environmental case heard by the newly appointed Chief Justice, John Roberts and Associate Justice, Samuel...
(2006) PLF principal attorney Sharon L. Browne has won two significant victories in the California Supreme Court, upholding the constitutionality of Proposition 209.
In June of 2011, the United States Supreme Court granted PLF's petition for certiorari in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency
Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency
Sackett v. United States Environmental Protection Agency is a case that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, probably in January 2012. The plaintiffs are Mike and Chantell Sackett, who wish to build a house on land which they own at at Priest Lake, Idaho. The defendant is the U.S...
, a case that challenges EPA's practice of unilaterally asserting jurisdiction over private property without a hearing and without judicial review. The case will be argued on January 9, 2012.
Program for Judicial Awareness
PLF's Program for Judicial Awareness facilitates the publication of scholarly articles in legal-academic journals, operates an annual essay competition for law students, and awards grants for faculty research leading to the publication of important legal scholarship.College of Public Interest Law
Since 1979, PLF has offered College of Public Interest Law (CPIL) fellowships to recent law school graduates who want hands-on experience and who wish to pursue public interest litigation.External links
- http://community.pacificlegal.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=183&srcid=-2 Pacific Legal Foundation's website.