Substantial Burden
Court 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 MoreHappy RLUIPA Day!
This Tuesday, September 22, 2020, will be the 20th anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing into law the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, also known as RLUIPA. The law was passed by a unanimous Congress to enforce, by statutory right, four different constitutional prohibitions […]
Read MoreCoronavirus Impact: Drive-In Church Services
Prohibiting Sunday church services—even when attendees remain in their cars—is “beyond all reason, unconstitutional,” a federal judge exclaims in Kentucky. By now, we are all aware of COVID-19 and the ongoing public health crisis. As a result, wherever you are in the United States, you […]
Read MoreHow Religious Groups May Use Their Facilities to Help the Homeless During the Pandemic
An increasing number of state and local governments are issuing “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders. But what does that mean for those who have no shelter or home in which to stay? The homeless so often depend on shelters that are already at capacity, making social […]
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 […]
Read MoreNoel Sterett to Argue Important Health Care Right of Conscience Case Before 2nd Dist. Appellate Court of Illinois
On January 28, 2020, I will argue a key health care right of conscience case before the 2nd District Appellate Court of Illinois. My client, Sandra Rojas, is a pediatric nurse who worked at the Winnebago County Health Clinic for eighteen years. In 2014, the […]
Read MoreAddressing Homeless Ministries through RLUIPA: Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church v. The City of Lenexa, Kansas
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church (“Shawnee Mission Church” or “Church”) has a long and proud history of ministering to the poorest and most vulnerable populations of Lenexa, Kansas and the greater Johnson County area. Over the last several years, the Church has advanced their ministry […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Protects Homeless Shelters within Churches – Our latest case in Kansas
Today we filed suit on behalf of Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church against the City of Lenexa, Kansas, who, has used zoning to deny the Church the ability to use its building to serve the homeless in Johnson County, Kansas. At its heart, this case […]
Read MoreUsing RLUIPA when appearing before local planning and zoning boards
In the past several months, we have found that the strategic use of the Religious Land Use and institutionalized Persons Act (also known as RLUIPA) can be used to successfully persuade members of a Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Adjustment / Appeals to approve […]
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
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call us: 313.859.6000
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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.