In the Courts - Christian Legal Society

Current Cases

Fellowship of Christian Athletes and San Jose Unified School District

For years, high school students in San Jose, California, have formed student groups associated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to discuss and encourage one another in their shared beliefs. These students met without incident until…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel

Debra A. Vitagliano v. County of Westchester

Debra Vitagliano is devout Catholic who, consistent with her Catholic faith, opposes abortion and sees it as the deliberate termination of an innocent human life. Debra has participated in prayer vigils at…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Status: Active
Center's Role: Counsel

Shurtleff v. Boston

Under an application process, Boston, Massachusetts, allowed groups to have their flags raised over one of the three flagpoles outside of Boston City Hall, flagpoles that it had designated as a “public forum.”…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: N/A
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Amicus

Perlot v. Green

Officials at the University of Idaho issued no-contact orders against Peter Perlot, Mark Miller, and Ryan Alexander – all members of the CLS law student chapter – and the chapter’s faculty advisor,…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: Federal Court
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel

Klein v. Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries

The Kleins owned a bakery called “Sweet Cakes by Melissa,” which specialized in custom-designed cakes, including weddings cakes. The Kleins created wedding cakes, in part, to celebrate marriages, which their faith taught…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: U.S. Supreme Court
Case Status: Cert. Granted, Judgment Vacated, and Case Remanded
Center's Role: Amicus

A Community Evangelizing Win for Mary Mason

Mary Mason, a former atheist, is dedicated to performing religious outreach to her community in Murphy, North Carolina. She goes out along the streets, sidewalks, and parks with her daughter, Elya, who…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: Town Council
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel

Lisa Nelthropp Prevails after Unlawful Firing for her Faith

After Ms. Nelthropp and two coworkers mutually discussed their religious beliefs and worldviews at work over lunch, Ms. Nelthropp was fired from her job for “bringing her personal beliefs into the workplace.”…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: N/A
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel

Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and St. James School v. Biel

Does the First Amendment protect the right of a religious K-12 school to decide who does, and does not, teach its religious beliefs and values to its students? The United States Supreme…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: United States Supreme Court
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Amicus

Holiday City Bible Study Returns after HOA Fight

In Holiday City, a retirement community in Toms River, New Jersey, a group of mature ladies held a weekly Bible study where they could come together, sing songs, watch videos, and have…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: N/A
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel

Sigma Alpha Omega Re-Recognized by University

Sigma Alpha Omega (SAO) is a national faith-based sorority with active chapters at 36 universities. SAO encourages its members to grow closer to Christ through Bible studies, social activities, retreats, and service…

Legal Issue(s): Free Speech
Court: United States Supreme Court
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel