Attorneys for Land Use Website Examines Religious Land Use Law
Dalton & Tomich, PLC launches new site as legal resource addressing land use and zoning for religious and legal communities
Contact: Don Tanner or Maggie Sisco, 248-626-0006
DETROIT, May 16, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ — Dalton & Tomich PLC, today unveiled a new website which examines and discusses the continually evolving area of religious land use and zoning within the context of a federal law called, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”). Co-founding partner Dan Dalton of Dalton & Tomich PLC is among the country's foremost practitioners of and experts on religious land use and zoning law.
The website, www.attorneysforlanduse.com, offers news, perspectives and case studies designed to inform, enlighten and educate. Cities and municipalities often deny religious entities such as churches, mosques, temples and synagogues rights to land use in order to maintain areas for tax generating uses like retail, residential, entertainment or industrial. Such discrimination has become increasingly prominent in recent years — and defense strategies are becoming more and more sophisticated in practice.
“We are seeing defense argue these cases with more intense vigor, nuance and creativity than ever before,” said Dan Dalton, founding member at Dalton & Tomich, PLC. “New defense tactics are necessitating new approaches on behalf of religious organizations seeking to use land for religious assemblies.”
Dalton & Tomich PLC has won landmark RLUIPA cases for clients across the country, including several precedent-setting decisions in California, Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan, Texas and Pennsylvania. In 2012, the firm secured a $1.1 million verdict on behalf of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace in San Diego, the largest RLUIPA trial verdict ever in federal court.
Dalton will also soon have “written the book” on religious land use law, as “Litigating Religious Land Use Cases,” the only treatise on this topic, is being published this Fall by the American Bar Association.
ABOUT DALTON & TOMICH PLC
Dalton & Tomich, PLC is a law firm specializing in providing guidance to leading religious organizations, businesses and financial institutions across the nation. For more information, visit www.daltontomich.com.
About Us
Dalton & Tomich, PLC is the national leader in successfully helping churches, other religious institutions and their insurers defend their rights in land use and zoning matters under RLUIPA, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. We have helped clients win cases against municipalities and other local government bodies from coast to coast, with experience serving both as general counsel and special litigation counsel.
Harry HoffSenior Pastor, Hope Rising Community Church, Verona, PA
In 2015, Hope Rising Community Church experienced extreme opposition, the kind that would force it to close its doors and leave behind the families and youth it was so passionate about reaching. As the lead pastor I felt helpless, inferior and as if I had no […]
Read MoreKen KalbachElder, Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, Lenox, GA
Dalton & Tomich’s assistance in our RLUIPA matter has paved the way for our church to continue serving the community and for new churches in the area to thrive in the future. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your stand for religious […]
Read MoreRev. Thomas OuweleenLead Pastor, The Urban Church, Warren, MI
The Urban Church will be forever grateful to Dalton & Tomich plc for navigating it through a difficult land use issue. Let them give you honest and caring advice because that’s exactly what they’ll do.
Read MoreKimberly KebleSenior Claims Adjuster, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance
Dalton & Tomich, PLC defended a complicated case at a church we insure. Not only is the firm professional, they understand how church business runs and work well within church leadership.
Read MoreRev. Demetrius BookerSenior Pastor, Lighthouse Community Church of God, Redford, MI
Dalton & Tomich, PLC helped us immensely in the areas of litigation and negotiation! Their professionalism and understanding of church policy helped our church be victorious in a modern day religious land use battle. RLUIPA Religious Land Use Case: Lighthouse Community Church of God
Read MoreMitchell CorderAdministrative Bishop Church of God, Tennessee
Dalton & Tomich, PLC serves as General Counsel for the 144 churches within the Church of God in Michigan. The firm provides the legal expertise we need in dealing with the issues that arise during the course of fulfilling our ministry.
Read MoreTim RhodusLead Pastor, Cross Church Carlinville & Staunton, IL
I met Dan Dalton during a dark time for our church. He was recommended as the leading RLUIPA attorney in the nation. He demonstrated wisdom, expertise, a gentle nature, a calming inter-relational skill, genuineness, and a humble demeanor, while at the same time, being sharp, […]
Read MoreRonnie HolmesSenior Pastor, Church of the Open Door, Waco, TX
Mr. Dalton’s expertise and experience helped us through a very difficult legal journey, ultimately achieving a favorable outcome. His personal interest in helping our church went “above and beyond” just the call of duty. His understanding of both legal and spiritual matters seems to uniquely […]
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