James Kerwin

The right to speak freely without threats, censorship, or reprisal from the government is the lynchpin of a free society. So too, the right to be treated equally by the government based on individual accomplishment and merit, without regard to irrelevant identity characteristics. James Kerwin has made a career fending off nearly constant efforts to erode those rights by politicians, bureaucrats, and public authorities of all kinds. He has won numerous victories, but the job continues as long as the temptation to abuse government power exists.

James joined CIR in August 2026 as a Senior Litigator focusing on Free Speech and Equal Protection issues. He has more than fifteen years’ experience on high-stakes, complex matters. He previously led the First Amendment practice at Mountain States Legal Foundation, where he litigated a number of high-profile, civil rights cases on a national stage. Prior to that, he worked for a large New York City firm, as well as several east coast government agencies, often battling public sector unions and defending against class-action lawsuits. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law with highest honors and completed clerkships in the U.S. Ninth Circuit and the Southern District of New York, before getting started in the trenches as a litigator. In his spare time, he enjoys improvising bad jazz riffs on the piano. His children often object.