Legal Center

The Buckeye Institute Urges the Ohio Supreme Court to Make it Easier for Homeowners to Challenge Property Values

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:29:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute submitted a public comment to the Ohio Supreme Court, urging the court to adopt a proposed amendment that would allow non-lawyer professionals, such as appraisers, accountants, and real estate brokers, to present evidence and represent homeowners at county board of revision hearings. Buckeye’s comment argues that expanded non-lawyer representation would lower the cost of challenging a property valuation in Ohio, particularly for lower-income homeowners seeking to correct inaccurate assessments.

The Buckeye Institute Urges Ohio Supreme Court to Expand Law School Accreditation Options

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:48:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed a public comment with the Ohio Supreme Court, urging it to adopt changes to the Government of the Bar Rules and expand law school accreditation options beyond the American Bar Association. The court’s proposed amendments come on the heels of changes at the federal level that would make it easier for new accreditors to receive recognition. The court’s proposed amendments dovetail with the proposed federal changes and will increase competition in law school accreditation and make accreditors more accountable.

The Buckeye Institute Takes 3rd Union Wage Theft Case to Ohio Supreme Court

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed its brief asking the Ohio Supreme Court to accept jurisdiction in DuPuis v. AFSCME, and either hold it pending the court’s decision in Sheldon v. OAPSE or consolidate it with Sheldon—one of The Buckeye Institute’s other cases seeking to end union wage theft practices that is pending Ohio Supreme Court review. “In Sheldon, Vanderveer, and DuPuis, only the Ohio Supreme Court can decide whether Ohio’s courthouse doors are open to Ohioans wishing to bring cases to stop union wage theft.”

The Buckeye Institute Calls for Reforms to ABA Law School Accreditation Standards

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 11:19:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute submitted comments to the American Bar Association Council on Law School Accreditation, urging reforms to accreditation standards to focus on student outcomes. The Buckeye Institute writes, “The ABA Standards are overbroad, burdensome, and focus on process rather than student outcome. The accreditation process itself lacks definitiveness and transparency, allowing regulators to take an ‘I know it when I see it’ approach to rule enforcement, which increases compliance costs and stifles academic freedom, institutional innovation, and competition.”

The Buckeye Institute Calls on SCOTUS to Overturn Stinson, Restore Congressional Authority

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed its amicus brief in Beaird v. United States, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Stinson v. United States and restore the limits Congress placed on the U.S. Sentencing Commission. In its brief, The Buckeye Institute argues that the court should eliminate Stinson deference, which has elevated the commentary portion of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines to the equivalent of binding law, something Congress did not authorize.

The Buckeye Institute Urges ABA to End Rigid Accreditation Mandate

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 16:27:00 -0400

This comment, submitted by The Buckeye Institute, supports repealing the American Bar Association’s Standard 303(c) requirement that law schools must mandate bias training to receive ABA accreditation, arguing the mandate exceeds accreditation’s proper scope and imposes ideological uniformity on law schools.

The Buckeye Institute Urges SCOTUS to End Federal Surveillance of Small Business Owners Once and For All

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed its fifth amicus brief in Texas Top Cop Shop v. Blanche, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant review and combine this case with National Small Business United v. Bessent, and overturn the Corporate Transparency Act—an Orwellian federal surveillance program of small businesses. “The Corporate Transparency Act is a sweeping, ill-advised, and misleadingly-named law that gives the federal government power to collect private information on small business owners.”

The Buckeye Institute Files Brief with Ohio Supreme Court in Union Wage Theft Case

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:28:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed its merit brief in Sheldon v. Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE), calling on the Ohio Supreme Court to open Ohio’s courthouse doors to Ohioans fighting to end union wage theft. The Buckeye Institute was supported in its case by several nationally recognized public policy and legal groups that filed briefs in favor of Buckeye’s client, Matthew Sheldon.

It's Time to Legalize Home Distilling

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:35:00 -0400

By Robert Alt

When Jimmy Carter legalized home brewing in the 1970s, it unleashed a wave of American innovation that changed the craft beer market forever. Now, there is an opportunity to do the same thing with distilled spirits. Robert Alt, president and CEO of The Buckeye Institute, joined Matt Kibbe on Kibbe on Liberty to discuss Buckeye’s cases—Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury and McNutt v. U.S. Department of Justice—to end the federal ban on home distilling.

This necessary and proper' ban could almost drive someone to drink

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:10:00 -0400

By Jarrett Dieterle

In The Washington Post, Jarrett Dieterle of the Manhattan Institute looks at The Buckeye Institute’s cases—Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury and McNutt v. U.S. Department of Justice—challenging the federal ban on home distilling. Dieterle writes, “Two recent federal circuit court decisions have teed up a likely Supreme Court fight over the ban that could shape the boundaries of government power.”

The Buckeye Institute Calls on SCOTUS to Rein In Government Speech Doctrine

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in Khatibi v. Lawson, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to tell California that medical professionals do not relinquish their First Amendment rights when the state licenses them. “The state of California has a right to ensure doctors and other medical professionals are qualified to do their jobs. It does not have the right to force these professionals to parrot the government’s position on controversial topics.”

Getting to the Supreme Court Along Thunder Road

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:20:00 -0400

By Robert Alt

Robert Alt, president and CEO of The Buckeye Institute, joins Hans von Spakovsky on Court is Adjourned, where they discuss The Buckeye Institute cases—Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury and McNutt v. U.S. Department of Justice—to overturn the federal ban on home distilling.

The Buckeye Institute Demands Cleveland End Unconstitutional Race-Based Programs

Thu, 28 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute sent a demand letter to Cleveland calling for the city to end its numerous, unconstitutional, and discriminatory race-based contracting programs and requirements. The Buckeye Institute informed Cleveland that its programs and practices violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and several U.S. Supreme Court decisions. “Failure to end these discriminatory programs leaves the city open to legal action, and The Buckeye Institute stands ready to assist any individual or business denied access to any contracting opportunities based on race.”

The Buckeye Institute to SCOTUS: Unconstitutional Carbon Tax Would Devastate U.S. Economy

Tue, 26 May 2026 11:33:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed its amicus brief in Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to stop climate activists from using the courts to dictate America’s energy policy and impose a de facto nationwide carbon tax. “Failing to achieve a carbon tax through the normal legislative process, this case represents the latest effort of climate activists to implement their preferred policy—net-zero carbon emissions—through litigation rather than legislation.”

The Buckeye Institute's Robert Alt Joins All-Star Panel at TFAS Annual Conference

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:32:00 -0400

By Robert Alt

America’s upcoming 250th birthday offered a special opportunity to examine how we, as a nation, teach the American Founding. That was the focus of The Fund for American Studies’ 2026 Annual Conference, “Developing Courageous Leaders: Revitalizing Civic Education and America’s Founding Principles.” Robert Alt, The Buckeye Institute’s president and CEO, joined the discussion on a panel “Protecting Liberty Through Separation of Powers,” which also featured Judge Janice Rogers Brown, U.S. Circuit Court Appellate Judge, D.C. Circuit (retired).

Most Absurd Law EVER: Robert Alt & John Ream Join Kyle Brown of Clawhammer Supply to Discuss Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:37:00 -0400

Robert Alt, president and CEO of The Buckeye Institute, and John Ream, Buckeye’s client in Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury, join Kyle Brown, the owner of Clawhammer Supply, to discuss John’s challenge to the federal ban on home distilling, a law that makes it a felony to make whiskey at home. Robert breaks down the landmark court case, the Fifth Circuit vs. Sixth Circuit split, and why this case could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Home distilling hits a wall of government overreach and confusion

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:30:00 -0400

By Robert Alt

In The Hill, Robert Alt, the president and chief executive officer of The Buckeye Institute, distills down what’s at stake in Ream v. U.S. Department of Treasury and McNutt v. U.S. Department of Justice, Buckeye’s two cases challenging the un-American and unconstitutional federal ban on home distilling. “In these two compelling home-distilling challenges, we enjoy a brand-new opportunity for the Supreme Court to check congressional authority under the Commerce Clause, while applying proper limits under the taxing and Necessary and Proper Clauses to boot — something we should all toast together.”

The Buckeye Institute to SCOTUS: Let's Go Brandon Shirt Protected by 1st Amendment

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in D.A. v. Tri County Area Schools, calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and tell Tri County Area Schools that their students’ political speech—even when it is expressed on a Let’s Go Brandon shirt—is protected by the First Amendment. “The petitioners’ choice of attire, fashionable or not, clearly conveyed a political message without using profanity and is therefore protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”

OAPSE, We Did it Again!: The Buckeye Institute Takes 2nd OAPSE Union Wage Theft Case to Ohio Supreme Court

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute filed its brief asking the Ohio Supreme Court to accept jurisdiction in Vanderveer v. Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) and either hold it pending the court’s decision in Sheldon v. OAPSE or consolidate it with Sheldon—one of The Buckeye Institute’s other cases seeking to end union wage theft practices that is pending Ohio Supreme Court review.

The Buckeye Institute Scores Another Win in Union Dues Case

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The Buckeye Institute scored another legal victory, this time for Kevin Chandler, Amy Clark, and Charles C. Perry, Jr.—The Buckeye Institute’s clients in Chandler v. OAPSE. After court-ordered mediation, the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) agreed to return all of the money taken from Mr. Chandler, Mrs. Clark, and Mr. Perry’s paychecks after the three had ended their union membership.