Rutherford Institute

Verified

Civil Litigation Lawyer

3.4(5 Google reviews)

923 Gardens Blvd, Charlottesville, VA 22901, United States

Information last updated October 15, 2026

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation Employment

About Rutherford Institute

The Rutherford Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1982 by constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead. The Institute's mission is to defend civil liberties and human rights through legal services and public education. It provides legal assistance at no charge to individuals whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated.

The organization works to hold the government accountable to the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, advocating for a government that respects freedom and abides by the rule of law. Its efforts include litigating in courts and educating the public on a wide spectrum of issues affecting individual freedom.

The Rutherford Institute addresses various constitutional issues, including:

Free Speech
Religious Freedom
Search and Seizure
Parents' Rights
Prisoners' Rights
Police State concerns
Surveillance
Overcriminalization
Zero Tolerance policies
Drones
Employment-related constitutional rights

The Institute aims to empower citizens to understand and defend their rights against government overreach.

From the firm’s website

Attorneys: John W. Whitehead — Founder
Services listed: Free Speech, Religious Freedom, Search & Seizure, Parents' Rights, Prisoners' Rights, Police State, Drones, Zero Tolerance, Surveillance, Overcriminalization, School, Employment
Founded: 1982
Fees: The Institute provides its legal services at no charge to those whose constitutional and human rights have been threatened or violated.

Source: rutherford.org · checked October 15, 2026. Lawyers Near Me hasn’t independently verified these details.

Hours of Operation

Monday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Tuesday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Wednesday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Thursday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Friday: 8:30 am–5 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Details & Amenities

Accessibility

Wheelchair-accessible car parkWheelchair-accessible entrance

Rutherford Institute — Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rutherford Institute located?+

Rutherford Institute is located at 923 Gardens Blvd, Charlottesville, VA 22901, United States. Use the "Get Directions" link on this page to navigate there.

What kind of cases does Rutherford Institute handle?+

Rutherford Institute handles Civil Litigation, Employment. Confirm that they cover your specific legal matter during your first consultation.

How do I contact Rutherford Institute?+

Call Rutherford Institute at +1 434-978-3888 or visit their website. Many firms offer a free or low-cost initial consultation.

Is Rutherford Institute well rated?+

Rutherford Institute has a 3.4-star rating based on 5 Google reviews. Ratings are sourced from Google and shown for reference.

Client Reviews

5 reviews

Roberta Whitehurst· via Google
9 years ago
Greg· via Google
7 years ago
Dave Pearson Photography· via Google
I cannot speak to their performance if you are the right demographic, but I can tell you how they treat Asian immigrants if they have a complaint against a state university in Richmond. They do not care, the Rutherford Institute will not look at or listen to the evidence. They will ignore you and blow you off. In their opinion, an institution is free to try and jail an innocent Asian immigrant whose only offense was reporting the university for Title VII violations. To top that off, they do not care that the EEOC 'lost' all but the first page of both an electronic and paper copy of a charge. They do not care that the EEOC claims that 264 days is greater than 300 days and thus can dismiss a case without looking at the evidence. They do not care that the VA AG appears to be actively blocking holding this university accountable for multiple Title VII and / or ADA violations. It pays to have power.
3 months ago
Karon Price· via Google
This place is the worst..They don't even care enough to return your phone call...let alone help with your situation.. I have been emailing these ppl for weeks now and they refused to do anything about their law enforcement religiously discriminating and victimizing Christians..They acknowledged that they were aware of my situation but they don't care enough to help...They basically let me know that Christians fo not matter in this country and that they are not here to help us...Which is very disappointing after all Christians have contributed to this country....I don't even know why this place exists...They are no good to anybody...please do not contact these ppl expecting any resolve because they are worthless
4 years ago
Esplendido ***· via Google
Our local community, country, and world at large are blessed to have John Whitehead and his team defending our rights. If we do not support non-profits like The Rutherford Institute, the continued expansion of government's power over its citizens will continue largely unchecked.
4 years ago

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