Firm News
Religious liberty champion attorney Noel W. Sterett joins Dalton & Tomich, PLC, opens Illinois office
Sterett has successfully defended the rights of congregations across the country, recently co-authored guide to help church leaders navigate RLUIPA, land use litigation process Attorney Noel W. Sterett has joined the law firm Dalton & Tomich, PLC. Sterett focuses his practice on the defense of […]
Read MoreCourt 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, […]
Read MoreCourt 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 […]
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 […]
Read MoreDalton & 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 […]
Read MoreSupreme 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 […]
Read MoreAwarded for impact and accomplishment, Dalton & Tomich partner Daniel P. Dalton named a Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Real Estate Executive
Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero; EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466 Detroit–November 15, 2021–Detroit-based land use, business, and denominational trust law firm Dalton & Tomich is pleased to announce that Daniel P. Dalton, a founding partner of the firm, has been selected for inclusion in Crain’s Detroit Business’inaugural […]
Read MoreDalton & Tomich wins injunction against Hinds County, Mississippi on behalf of The Church at Jackson
County’s zoning ordinance violates Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Noel Sterett; nsterett@daltontomich.com; 815.997.7221 Detroit—-September 27, 2021—National law firm Dalton & Tomich announced it has won an injunction on behalf of the Church at Jackson […]
Read MoreThe Good Book on religious property disputes is now available: Religious Property Disputes and the Law: House of God, Laws of Man, published by the American Bar Association
Detroit – August 10, 2021 – Daniel Dalton, co-founder of Detroit-headquartered law firm Dalton & Tomich PLC, and a national authority in religious property law, announced the publication of his book Religious Property Disputes and the Law: House of God, Laws of Man, by the American […]
Read MoreAre We Done Building Churches?
According to Census Bureau Data and a recent article by Sam Ro of Axios Markets, there has been a drastic decline in the construction of new houses of worship over the last twenty years. Whereas Americans invested nearly $9 billion dollars in constructing houses of […]
Read MoreLawrence Opalewski named an Up and Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Media Contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; barbara@eafocus.com; 248.260.8466; Daniel Dalton; ddalton@daltontomich.com; 248.229.2329 Detroit—June 14, 2021—Lawrence Opalewski, a zoning, land use, and religious property attorney at Dalton + Tomich, has been named an Up and Coming Lawyer by the legal trade publication Michigan Lawyers Weekly. This […]
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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