Religious Land Use and Zoning Blogs
Churches and other religious institutions are protected from discrimination by municipalities and other local government bodies by the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, better known as RLUIPA. This blog by the national leaders in religious land use and zoning law highlights RLUIPA case studies and includes commentary on related news for church leaders and others throughout the country, as well as explanations of components of the RLUIPA law.
Court 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, […]
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Supreme 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 […]
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Court Awards Over $374,000 in Attorney Fees against Winnebago County for Health Administrator’s Violation of the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act
High fee award puts public and private healthcare employers on notice Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Noel Sterett; nsterett@daltontomich.com; 815.997.7221 Rockford, Illinois —February 16, 2022—Circuit Court Judge Eugene Doherty issued an attorney fee award of over $374,000 against Winnebago County today in […]
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The Constitutional Right to Leave a Faith and the “Dead Hand” of Religious Obligations
Americans enjoy an inalienable First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. Recently, the California Court of Appeals reaffirmed that the First Amendment implicitly includes the right to change one’s religious beliefs, forms of worship, and religious affiliations. In certain circumstances, an individual’s freedom […]
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Increasing or diverting the natural flow of surface water onto a neighboring property
A trespass is an intrusion of a physical and tangible object onto the land of another without permission. In some cases, surface water flowing from a neighbor’s property onto yours is considered a trespass in Michigan. “Surface waters” are “waters on the surface of the […]
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Public School Closings Open Door to Religious Schools and Set Stage for State and Local Legal Battles
Hundreds of thousands of parents across the country just learned that their local public schools will be closing. In Chicago alone, 330,000 students will be denied in-person instruction. Panicked parents, who are already familiar with the difficulties and inadequacies of remote learning, are looking for […]
Read MoreReligious Liberty Year In Review
The week between Christmas and New Year’s provides a moment to slow down and reflect on the year that has come and gone. While harried lawyers can miss this moment in the rush to turn the calendar over and start on next year’s work, reflection […]
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Dalton & Tomich PLC commits to advancing the educational experience of law students with $25,000 land use and zoning scholarship at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466 Detroit—December 8, 2021—Detroit-based land use, business, and denominational trust law firm Dalton & Tomich is pleased to announce its commitment to law school education and future land use and zoning attorneys with the establishment of the Dalton […]
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Supreme Court Hears Another Major Case Involving Discrimination Against Religious Schools
This morning, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in yet another case involving government discrimination against religious schools. The case, Carson v. Makin, involves the State of Maine’s tuition assistance program which makes funds available to help eligible families send their children to a school […]
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Do Not Try to Navigate Zoning and Land Use Regulations Alone
We receive calls all the time from frustrated property owners who have found themselves at odds with local officials over whether their land use—be it commercial, religious, or residential—is permitted at their property. These conflicts can quickly escalate when neighboring property owners get involved and […]
Read MoreAbout 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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