James McQuaid is the Managing Staff Attorney at the Liberty Justice Center. He litigates cases involving the Freedom of Information Act, economic liberty, and constitutional rights.

James joined LJC in 2015, after graduating from the University of Notre Dame Law School earlier that year. He had previously interned for both LJC and its partner organization, the Illinois Policy Institute.

James is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Illinois.

James's Recent Cases

Government Overreach

Burlap and Barrel, Inc. v. Trump

The Liberty Justice Center is challenging the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to impose sweeping global tariffs—this time under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—on behalf of small businesses that rely on global supply chains and American families who will pay the price.

Filed March 9, 2026

Educational Freedom

Jakiche v. Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico

LJC holds medical institution accountable for utilizing race-based criteria in admissions processes.

Filed October 28, 2025

Government Overreach

V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump

The Liberty Justice Center challenged the Trump Administration’s authority to unilaterally issue the “Liberation Day” tariffs, which were devastating small businesses across the country, and won!

Filed April 14, 2025

Government Overreach

Rocklin Unified School District v. Public Employment Relations Board

The Liberty Justice Center is stepping in to defend the Rocklin Unified School District's parental notification policy in an appeal from a recent ruling by the Public Employment Relations Board.

Filed February 26, 2025

Free Speech

Kleinschmit v. University of Illinois Chicago

The Liberty Justice Center is suing the University of Illinois Chicago on behalf of a professor whose contract was terminated after he criticized the university’s racially discriminatory hiring programs.

Filed February 10, 2025

James's Amicus Briefs

Buckeye v. Internal Revenue Service

Filed November 25, 2025

Project Veritas v. Schmidt

Filed May 22, 2025

B.B. v. Capistrano Unified School District

Filed July 22, 2024

Pitta v. Medeiros

Filed May 3, 2024

Building Owners and Managers Association v. Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago

Filed March 4, 2024

Murthy v. Missouri

Filed February 8, 2024

Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina

Filed December 15, 2021

Coalition for TJ v. Fairfax County School Board

Filed September 20, 2023

O’Handley v. Weber & Twitter

Filed July 12, 2023

College of the Ozarks v. Biden

Filed March 28, 2023

James McQuaid

Managing Staff Attorney, Liberty Justice Center

James McQuaid is the Managing Staff Attorney at the Liberty Justice Center. He litigates cases involving the Freedom of Information Act, economic liberty, and constitutional rights.

James is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Illinois.