A Legacy of Impact.
A Future of Accountability.

Founded in 2019, the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute builds on a proven legacy of legal success dating back to 2009. Through strategic litigation and principled advocacy, we defend civil liberties, challenge government overreach, fight class action abuse, and again regulatory abuse and rent-seeking—delivering real results for everyday Americans.

Supreme Court Equal Justice Under Law

WON BACK

$200

MILLION

AMICUS BRIEFS IN 2025

14

CASES LAST YEAR

37

OUR ORIGINS

Built on a Foundation of Results

Our story begins in 2009, when co-founder Ted Frank launched the Center for Class Action Fairness (CCAF). Created to combat abusive class action practices, CCAF represents consumers and shareholders pro bono—ensuring legal outcomes serve the people, not just the attorneys.

Since its founding, court orders in CCAF cases have reduced or eliminated more than $650 million in excessive attorney fee requests, protecting the financial interests of retirees, investors, and everyday Americans.

Expanding
the Mission

Founded in 2019, the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute builds on a proven legacy of legal success dating back to 2009. Through strategic litigation and principled advocacy, we defend civil liberties, challenge government overreach, and fight class action abuse—delivering real results for everyday Americans.

What began as a focused effort has grown into a broader mission to protect civil society.Our team has successfully argued and won appeals in federal courts, and our co-founder, Ted Frank, has argued—and prevailed—in cases before the United States Supreme Court.

Defending Civil Liberties

Countering Government Overreach

Fighting Class Action Abuse

We Pride Ourselves
On The Wins.

Our litigation delivers real-world outcomes that protect constitutional rights and economic fairness.

These are just two examples of HLLI’s impact. 

VICTORY HIGHLIGHTS

In re Automotive Parts Antitrust Litigation

CCAF filed an objection on behalf of two car rental franchises to an an eleventh-hour request by attorneys to add...

National Association of Scholars v. DOE

HLLI represent the National Association of Scholars, who challenge the U.S. Department of Energy’s requirement that researchers submit a DEI...

How We Operate.

We have a team of five attorneys, all remote. No fancy offices, no gala dinners. Everyday we focus on selecting cases where we can make a difference– and win.

Operating at less than 30% of typical nonprofit legal costs.

“They don’t hire dummies, either”

— Senator John N. Kennedy (Louisiana),
on HLLI  February 4, 2026

Impact Litigation

Gavel Icon

We pick cases that make a difference.

Merit Over Noise

Courthouse Icon

We focus on important cases and disciplined legal strategy– because winning cases creates meaningful change.

Lean by Design

No fancy offices. No gala dinners. We keep overhead low so resources go where they matter most– into the cases.

THE TEAM

Meet The Attorneys

United by a commitment to excellence and the rule of law, our team approaches every case with strategic precision, intellectual rigor, and a clear sense of purpose. 

Ted Frank

Director of litigation
and senior attorney

Frank Bednarz

ATTORNEY

Max Schreiber

ATTORNEY

Adam Schulman

ATTORNEY

Our Alumni

United by a commitment to excellence and the rule of law, our team approaches every case with strategic precision, intellectual rigor, and a clear sense of purpose. 

Anna St. John

HLLI AL

Melissa Holyoak

ATTORNEY

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