First Amendment
Employment matters and the religious leader: The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod and the Civil Court
A recent Michigan Court of Appeals decision addressed the thorny issue of how to remove a pastor from a church. As noted in, Richard P. Hillenbrand v. Christ Lutheran Church of Birch Run, an unpublished opinion of the Michigan Court of Appeals, (2015), the decision is denominationally […]
Read MoreDan Dalton and Larry Opalewski Speak on Sign Regulation at Michigan Municipal League Capital Conference
On March 22, 2016, Dan Dalton and Larry Opalewski spoke at the Michigan Municipal League’s Capital Conference. The topic of the presentation was the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert and its impact on municipal sign ordinances. Patrick Sloan of McKenna […]
Read MoreAre On-Premises and Off-Premises Distinctions Unconstitutional?
Under a recent federal court ruling, an ordinance distinguishing between on-premises and off-premises billboards is subject to strict scrutiny. While this is not the majority rule yet, this ruling has the potential to impact thousands of ordinances across the country. Last year, the Supreme Court […]
Read MoreDoes the First Amendment Protect You From the Government’s Intent to Retaliate?
Most Americans believe that the First Amendment protects our free speech from government retaliation. And in most cases that belief is generally true. But sometimes cases with strange facts have the potential to produce strange decisions. For example, in a case where the government demoted […]
Read MoreInjunction Against Online Communication Violates First Amendment
Last week, the Florida Court of Appeal struck down an injunction from the trial court which ordered a billionaire businessman to stop posting online about another billionaire businessman. The Court found that the injunction constituted a prior restraint on free speech, and thus could not […]
Read MoreSometimes it takes a letter . . . (to the City Planning Director)
Not every religious land use case requires litigation. Every once in a while, a matter is resolved when a letter is sent to the planning director informing him or her about RLUIPA and its impact on a local government zoning regulations. That occurred this past […]
Read MoreNew York Court Dismisses First Amendment Challenge to Sign Ordinance
A New York federal district court recently dismissed a First Amendment challenge to a New York City sign ordinance. In Vosse v. City of New York, Plaintiff placed an illuminated peace sign in the window of her seventeenth floor condo in the Upper West Side […]
Read MoreLimits on Church Signs Ruled Unconstitutional by Supreme Court
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a significant free speech decision that struck down a local ordinance that regulated signs differently based on the signs’ content. In Reed v. Town of Gilbert, the Court unanimously ruled that an Arizona town violated the First Amendment […]
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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.
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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.