The Sconi

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) has been awarded over $350,000 by a federal court after successfully suing the Biden Administration for race discrimination. The court's decision last month found that the federally run Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) unconstitutionally discriminated against small business owners based on race.

In response to the award, WILL President and General Counsel Rick Esenberg emphasized the importance of the legal work performed by the organization, stating, “WILL’s legal work doesn’t come free, and our dedicated lawyers earn less than they could elsewhere because of their passion for the mission. While we are mostly donor-funded, this award properly compensates us for the work we do, and lets the government know that it ought not discriminate based on race.”

WILL Deputy Counsel, Dan Lennington, expressed determination to continue their efforts, saying, “Winning these legal fees will help us do even more work to uphold the Constitution and upend racist DEI programs across the country. While we hope that this judgment serves as a deterrent against unconstitutional race discrimination, we are not taking our foot off the gas. In fact, we are just getting started.”

U.S. District Judge, Mark T. Pittman, who awarded the fees, highlighted WILL's national reputation and the skill of its attorneys in handling civil rights cases. The judge noted, “Here, the skills and well-earned reputation of the Plaintiffs’ lawyers speak for themselves. Indeed, Plaintiffs’ lawyers have crafted a practice specializing in civil rights cases just like this.”

The judge's ruling prohibits the Biden Administration from using the MBDA to discriminate against businesses based on race, emphasizing that the MBDA can continue operating its Business Centers without vetting applicants based on race. The judge also criticized the Administration for disregarding Supreme Court precedent, stating that the legal precedent will continue to guide future work in this area.

This rare win for WILL serves as a reminder of the significant costs involved in challenging unconstitutional government programs and highlights the organization's commitment to upholding the Constitution and fighting against discriminatory practices.