RLUIPA Cases
Church land use and zoning cases are complex. Relocating a church isn’t just a simple real estate transaction. Religious institutions often encounter discrimination from municipalities and other local governments before or during the land use planning process, including after denial of a zoning variance or conditional use permit, or in another planning commission decision.
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) protects organizations like yours from such discrimination. Churches, their insurers and other religious institutions across the country have won RLUIPA cases and successfully defending their rights to acquire and occupy new land with the help of the experienced religious land use and zoning attorneys at Dalton & Tomich PLC. Case studies highlighting many of those victories may be found below.
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Florida Church Secures Right to Operate Religious Transition Homes and $160,000 in Settlement with Wakulla County
Today, a federal court in Tallahassee, Fla., entered a final consent decree allowing Dalton & Tomich client, City Walk-Urban Mission, to expand its transition home ministry in Wakulla County. The order was entered pursuant to a settlement the County and City Walk had agreed to […]
Read MoreA Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center Settles Land Use Suit with Raleigh, N.C.
Today, Dalton & Tomich client A Hand of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center dismissed its lawsuit against the City of Raleigh, N.C. after the parties reached a settlement agreement. Attorney Noel Sterett filed the federal lawsuit in 2016 after the Raleigh City Council disregarded the recommendations […]
Read MoreLand use webinar: learn the lay of the land
Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Daniel Dalton; ddalton@daltontomich.com; 248.229.2329 Detroit—September 15, 2020—Detroit-based land use, business, and denominational trust law firm Dalton & Tomichwill present a live, interactive webinar on Zoning and Land Laws for Civil Engineers and Professional Surveyorson Thursday, September 24. […]
Read MoreCourt enjoins County who tried to close a Christian Recovery Home
Court order allows City Walk to continue transition home ministry in Wakulla County. A federal court in Tallahassee has entered a preliminary injunction against Wakulla County, Florida, protecting the religious exercise of Dalton & Tomich client City Walk – Urban Mission. The order comes just […]
Read MoreCourt Orders municipality to tax residents after its leaders refused to pay a judgment
Civil rights litigation is vitally important. But it is neither easy nor cheap. It is often a war of attrition between a plaintiff with limited resources and a taxpayer-funded government defendant. In light of this funding imbalance, many government defendants fight even the most meritorious […]
Read MoreDalton & Tomich sues Wakulla County, Florida who tried to close a religious shelter
Lawsuit seeks to secure City Walk’s right under RLUIPA to continue ministry open to registered sex offenders Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Noel Sterett; nsterett@daltontomich.com ; 815.997.7221 Detroit —- May 6, 2020—Noel Sterett, a religious liberty attorney and partner at the law […]
Read MoreCourt Enters Judgment and Adds to Major Attorney Fee Award in RLUIPA Case Against Borough of Litchfield, CT
On March 31, 2020, the United States District Court of Connecticut issued a ruling which added nearly $100,000 in attorneys’ fees, costs and interest to an existing fee award of over $700,000 against the Borough of Litchfield, CT. By way of background, Dalton & Tomich […]
Read MoreIllinois Appellate Court rules against Winnebago County, upholds protections of the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act and the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act in ongoing case filed by County pediatric nurse
Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Noel Sterett; nsterett@daltontomich.com; 815.997.7221 Rockford, Illinois —March 9, 2020—Noel Sterett, a religious liberty attorney and partner in the Rockford, Illinois office of Detroit-based law firm Dalton + Tomich,announced a favorable decision on Friday, March 6 from the […]
Read MoreNoel W. Sterett named a partner at Dalton & Tomich
Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Daniel Dalton; ddalton@daltontomich.com; 248.229.2329 Detroit—March 4, 2020—Daniel Dalton and Zana Tomich, co-founders of Detroit-based land use and business law firm Dalton + Tomich,are pleased to announce attorney Noel W. Sterett has been named a partner. Based in […]
Read MoreFederal Court Denies Government’s Attempt to Dismiss Church’s RLUIPA Lawsuit
A federal court sided with a church that wants to build a bigger facility in Prince George County, Maryland (the “County”). After purchasing four parcels, the church was confronted with a two-step development process. Step One – Where the Church Faced Denial: The first step […]
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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.