Background

Scott Glenn Bullock is a prominent American public interest attorney and the current President and Chief Counsel of the Institute for Justice (IJ), a libertarian nonprofit law firm. Born in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Bullock grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has dedicated his career to litigating cases involving property rights, economic liberty, and the First Amendment.

Career

Bullock was one of the first employees at the Institute for Justice, joining as a staff attorney at its founding in 1991. He rose through the ranks to become a senior attorney before being named President in 2016. He is best known for representing Susette Kelo in the landmark Supreme Court case Kelo v. City of New London (2005), which challenged the use of eminent domain for private economic development.

His litigation portfolio includes:

• Civil Forfeiture: Challenging the government's power to seize property without criminal charges.
• Economic Liberty: Fighting occupational licensing requirements, such as those affecting African hair braiders and casket-selling monks.
• Eminent Domain: Defending home and business owners against government takings.

"Public-interest law is really nothing more than the use of litigation and related means to represent the interests of a client and a cause, for the purpose of shaping the law."

Financial & Board Activity

As the leader of a major nonprofit, Bullock oversees an organization with substantial assets and revenue. He also maintains ties to the broader libertarian donor network through board service.

| Organization | Role | Reported Compensation (Approx.) | |:--- |:--- |:--- | | Institute for Justice | President & Chief Counsel | $797,018 (2025) | | Donors Capital Fund | Board Member | $0 (Voluntary) |