RLUIPA Case Observations and Insights
Celebrating the 22nd Anniversary of the Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act by Highlighting 22 of Our Top Religious Land Use Cases
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, often referred to by its acronym RLUIPA (ruh-loopa). In just over two decades, this little-known federal law has protected thousands of religious institutions across the country from unequal and burdensome zoning […]
Read MoreCourt orders City of St. Pete Beach to pay $250,000+ of church’s attorney fees in case involving church’s provision of free parking
In violation of federal law, city sought to forbid Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church from allowing the public to park for free in its private lot near the beach Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, barbara@eafocus.com, 248.260.8466; Noel Sterett, nsterett@daltontomich.com, 815-986-8050 St. Pete Beach, Fla.—April 27, […]
Read MoreSupreme Court Unified on Strength of the Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act
If you only pay attention to the hot-button cases that make the nightly news, you may think the Supreme Court is deeply divided in most of its cases. This is simply not true. The Supreme Court issues far more unanimous decisions than 5-to-4 decisions. One […]
Read MoreReligious Land Use & the Church: Client Testimonial and Virtual Roundtable series
Church Law & Tax is a leading resource for church leaders looking for guidance on legal and tax issues affecting religious institutions. Recently, Dalton & Tomich attorney Noel Sterett worked with Church Law & Tax to put together a series of videos to help pastors […]
Read MoreDalton & Tomich wins injunction against Hinds County, Mississippi on behalf of The Church at Jackson
County’s zoning ordinance violates Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Noel Sterett; nsterett@daltontomich.com; 815.997.7221 Detroit—-September 27, 2021—National law firm Dalton & Tomich announced it has won an injunction on behalf of the Church at Jackson […]
Read MoreMississippi Church Files Suit Against Hinds County for Treating Religious Assembly Uses Unequally
On April 27, 2021, we filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of The Church at Jackson against Hinds County, Mississippi for violating the “equal terms” provision of the Religious Land Use & Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”), 42 U.S.C. 2000cc(b)(1). Last year, the church acquired a […]
Read MorePark and pray? Church wins preliminary injunction against City of St. Pete Beach, which attempted to forbid public parking in Church’s lot
City’s punitive measures restricting religious exercise of Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church likely violate federal law Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Dan Dalton; ddalton@daltontomich.com; 248.229.2329 St. Pete Beach, Fla.—January 27, 2021—Daniel Dalton, a religious property and land use attorney with […]
Read MoreCourt affirms a Church’s use of its parking lot for Ministry
Court order allows Pass-A-Grille Beach Community Church to Continue Offering Free Parking to the Public. A federal court in Tampa has entered a preliminary injunction against the City of St. Pete Beach, Florida, protecting a church’s right to keep its parking lot open to the […]
Read MoreSupreme Court Says Government Officials May Be Personally Liable for Money Damages Under Religious Freedom Statute(s)
Today, the United States Supreme Court decided an important religious liberty case–Tanzin v. Tanzir–involving who can be sued for money damages under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (“RFRA”). The unanimous decision authored by Justice Clarence Thomas affirmed that government officials may be sued for money […]
Read MoreFrom the Supreme Court to continued separations from the United Methodist Church and other traditional Protestant denominations, religion will be in the legal spotlight in 2021
Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Dan Dalton; ddalton@daltontomich.com; 248.229.2329 Detroit—-December 3, 2020—Daniel P. Dalton, a religious property attorney, co-founder of Detroit-based Dalton + Tomich,and author of an eBook about protocols for the United Methodist Church separation,points to several key indicators that traditional religious […]
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
-
Detroit:The Chrysler House
719 Griswold Street, Suite 270
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Parking in Financial District Garage (730 Shelby Street, access via Lafayette and Shelby) -
Chicago:180 W. Washington St., Suite 400
Chicago IL 60602
312.235.6858 -
Rockford:401 W. State St., Suite 509
Rockford, IL 61101
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.