In the Courts - Christian Legal Society

Current Cases

Tucker v. Faith Bible Chapel

Faith Christian Academy is a K-12 school in Colorado. Faith Christian provides a Christian environment, with Bible classes and weekly chapel services required for all students as part of the regular curriculum.

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Status: Active
Center's Role: Amicus

Starkey v. Archdiocese of Indianapolis

In August 2021, the district court granted summary judgment dismissing Starkey’s employment discrimination suit. The court found that the undisputed facts showed Starkey “performed vital religious duties.” Roncalli High School had entrusted…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals
Case Status: Active
Center's Role: Amicus

Demkovich v. St. Andrew the Apostle Parish

St. Andrew the Apostle Church is a Roman Catholic Church that serves the largely Polish community of Calumet City, Illinois. Among the church’s many ministries is an outreach to LGBTQ Catholics seeking…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: United States Supreme Court
Case Status: Active
Center's Role: Amicus

Trustees of New Life in Christ Church v. City of Fredericksburg

New Life in Christ Church is a Presbyterian Church that has served the Fredericksburg community for over forty years. Fredericksburg is the home of both the University of Mary Washington and Germanna Community…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: Supreme Court of Virginia
Case Status: Cert. Denied
Center's Role: Counsel

Fulton v. City of Philadelphia

The Catholic Church has been providing fostering services in Philadelphia for over 200 years, supporting and training thousands of foster parents. When a local newspaper reported that CSS would not provide screening…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: United States Supreme Court
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Amicus

The Little Sisters of the Poor and Their Third Journey to the Supreme Court

The Little Sisters of the Poor, a Catholic religious order, has returned to the United States Supreme Court for the third time in eight years in order to protect their basic right…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: United States Supreme Court
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Amicus

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maryland and Anne Arundel County

In 2005, Christian Legal Society successfully helped Child Evangelism Fellowship of Maryland (“Maryland CEF”) to gain after-school access to Anne Arundel County Public Schools (“AACPS”) after AACPS unconstitutionally attempted to charge fees…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: N/A
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Counsel

Espinoza v. Montana

Many families opt to send their children to private schools, both religious and secular. The State of Montana passed a law to help families afford private school by offering a 1-for-1 tax…

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: United States Supreme Court
Case Status: Success
Center's Role: Amicus

Xue v. Sessions

Ting Xue, a native and citizen of China, arrived in the United States after fleeing from government persecution for practicing his Christian faith in China. He applied for asylum but was denied.

Legal Issue(s): Churches
Court: U.S. Supreme Court
Case Status: Loss
Center's Role: Amicus