This upcoming Fall semester, my career path comes full circle. I am returning to my alma mater, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, to teach a comprehensive course on Law and Religion.
Congratulations to our client, All Peoples Church in San Diego, California, for prevailing in a CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) challenge to the approval of its site plan for a new facility in the Del Cerro neighborhood. This legal victory marks the latest milestone in the church’s nearly decade-long effort to build on land it purchased long ago. Prior to this case, the city denied the church’s zoning application, the church sued in federal court alleging RLUIPA violations, and the city settled, approving the site plan and paying the church’s attorney fees. Thereafter, a citizen group filed a CEQA challenge.
In the heart of Brunswick, Georgia, a significant shift in local governance is taking place—one rooted in federal law and the protection of religious exercise. Following a high-profile legal battle with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), the City of Brunswick recently hosted a critical training session led by Daniel Dalton, a nationally recognized expert in the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA).
Federal court decisions from the last few years demonstrate increased skepticism when evaluating government actions effecting religious exercise. It appears as though this trend will
When considering whether your organization should file a federal lawsuit against a municipality (city, township, etc.) over their zoning ordinance you must consider two major
In 2026, local churches often encounter federal court processes when building new sanctuaries or expanding ministries. Despite RLUIPA’s existence for more than 25 years, recent
Appellate advocacy can be quite challenging. Once the briefs are submitted, each party is typically allowed only 15 minutes to present their case. However, depending on the specific court and the issues being discussed, the argument may differ significantly from what you might expect.
Having just returned from oral argument in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, I thought it might be helpful to share some tips for approaching oral argument effectively.
Oral arguments scheduled to start October 23 as Portland-area church attempts to move forward with expansion plans previously approved, but later denied, by Clackamas County
Back in 2020, the Supreme Court decided several consequential cases related to the religious exercise during the Covid-19 lockdowns. One of these cases, Tandon v.
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000cc et seq (“RLUIPA”), was enacted to protect churches and houses of worship from
Please note that this website may be considered attorney advertising in some states. Prior results described on this site do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases or transactions.
