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We are experienced attorneys offering innovative and collaborative legal solutions that grow businesses and banks, expand churches, and build nonprofit organizations. Our blog features insight into recent case decisions, advice for budding entrepreneurs and established leaders, as well as commentary on other aspects of the legal profession that we find interesting. Welcome. Please let us know what you think.
Is the Supreme Court Preparing to Reconsider Key Case Which Led to Enactment of RLUIPA?
The United States Supreme Court may be poised to reconsider or even overrule one of its landmark free exercise cases–Employment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990). A more recent case out of Oregon, Klein v. Oregon Bureau of […]
Read MoreAn interesting perspective on splitting the United Methodist Church
Much has been written since the St. Louis General Conference on the reasons for the United Methodist Church to remain together or to separate. I commend to you this article outlining the reasons why the denomination should split. If you wish to read more about […]
Read MoreDepartment of Justice Files Statement of Interest Supporting Hope Lutheran Church
This morning the Department of Justice filed a statement of interest in support of Dalton & Tomich client Hope Lutheran Church in its religious land use case against St. Ignace, Michigan. The Department of Justice files statements of interest when it determines that a case […]
Read MoreSeventh Circuit Upholds Clergy Housing Allowance As Constitutional
Today, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision upholding the constitutionality of the clergy housing allowance. Rather than wait until to see if the Supreme Court would clarify its currently jumbled Establishment Clause jurisprudence (as we recently speculated they might), the Seventh Circuit ruled […]
Read MoreThe UMC Exit Plan is on hold: Judicial Council to review April 23-26, 2019
Another delay. Rather than following the will of the voters of the recent General Council, the Council of Bishops has asked the Judicial Council to rule on the constitutionality of the Exit Plan that was approved for local churches. Therefore, the exit ramp for local […]
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Noel Sterett Comments on Status of Case Challenging Clergy Housing Allowance
Recently, Church Law & Tax, a publication which helps church leaders stay up-to-date on legal and tax matters, asked Dalton & Tomich attorney Noel Sterett to comment on the status of the case challenging the constitutionality of the clergy housing allowance. In an article which can […]
Read MoreSpeaking about RLUIPA: Daniel Dalton at the 33rd Annual Land Use Institute in Baltimore, Maryland
Dan Dalton will be presenting a session on the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (commonly known as RLUIPA) at the 33rd Annual Land Use Institute in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday April 12, 2019. If you are a land use attorney attending the conference, or […]
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The Exit Plan from the Methodist Church
It has been a few hours since the General Council voted on approving the Traditional Plan and an Exit Plan for local churches who wish to leave the United Methodist denomination. The question for the local church now is whether it should consider leaving the […]
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The United Methodist Church General Conference 2019 (Day 4) –Exit Plans and the Traditional Plan Passes
Observations from the Day Today, the Methodist Church did the one thing it typically does not do: it made a hard decision with respect to the future of the denomination. The General Conference adopted the Traditional Plan and approved Exit Plans. This was a painful […]
Read MoreSupreme Court Upholds Rights of Beach-walkers on Lake Michigan
Last week, the United States Supreme Court confirmed that the Lake Michigan shoreline in Indiana is held by the State in public trust for all residents. The Court effectively did this by denying a petition for certiorari by lakefront landowners which sought to challenge the […]
Read MoreAbout Us
The attorneys of Dalton & Tomich, PLC have the experience and the knowledge to work with you to develop a legal solution that helps accomplish your goals. Our collaborative approach has helped leaders like you grow businesses and banks, develop and expand churches, and build nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Our Practice Areas
- call us: 313.859.6000
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719 Griswold Street, Suite 270
Detroit, Michigan 48226 - parking:Financial District Garage (730 Shelby Street, access via Lafayette and Shelby)
Mitchell CorderAdministrative Bishop Church of God, Tennessee
In my role as Administrative Bishop for the Church of God, quite often we are faced with issues that involve local governments and municipalities. Many of these issues that arise in dealing with entities are land use related. I have found Dalton & Tomich’s experience and expertise in this area to be a valuable resource and asset in every situation.
Tim RhodusLead Pastor, Cross Church Carlinville & Staunton, IL
Never one time during a year-long litigation process did Dalton & Tomich demonstrate anything other than Christ-like professionalism. They managed the legal details, while we continued to do church. How they managed themselves, managed our case, and represented our church set the table for me and our church to be where we are today.
Ronnie HolmesSenior Pastor, Church of the Open Door, Waco, TX
Dalton & Tomich’s expertise and experience helped us through a very difficult legal journey, ultimately achieving a favorable outcome. Their personal interest in helping us went “above and beyond” just the call of duty.