Religious Institutions
Sometimes it takes a letter . . . (to the City Planning Director)
Not every religious land use case requires litigation. Every once in a while, a matter is resolved when a letter is sent to the planning director informing him or her about RLUIPA and its impact on a local government zoning regulations. That occurred this past […]
Read MoreReligious Construction Likely on the Rise, Litigation to Follow?
According to a recent article from the Wall Street Journal, a 13-year decline in American religious building construction may soon end. The article states that construction of religious buildings in the U.S. (which includes churches, temples, mosques, and other buildings) peaked in 2002 and has […]
Read MoreLocal governments continue mistreating churches in land use and zoning matters
AMT Owners Kenny & Beverly Sexton Join in Partnership with Summit Church Pastors Hal and Lisa Boehm. (Photo courtesy American Mountatin Theater) Local governments are mistreating churches across the country. The latest example of this wave of discrimination is making headlines in Elkins, West Virginia, […]
Read MoreHope Rising Church Likely to Succeed on RLUIPA Equal Terms Claim
On October 28, Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of our client, Hope Rising Community Church, and recommended granting the Church’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction. The Church is located in Penn Hills, […]
Read MoreReligious freedom alive and well thanks to little known law
Fifteen years after being signed into law, RLUIPA protects churches, temples, mosques and synagogues from the tax-based prejudices of revenue-hungry cities and towns. Can you imagine an American town where people have no place to worship? If not for RLUIPA, a little known law […]
Read MoreCalif. Church Continues Its Fight to Operate Homeless Ministry Program
Earlier this week, a California church that operates a homeless ministry program attempted to convince the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to revive the program, called Operation Embrace, after a lower court upheld the City’s decision to shutter the program. Last year, we wrote about […]
Read MoreDalton & Tomich Achieves Victory at Trial in Latest RLUIPA Case
On November 25, 2014, District Judge Timothy Corrigan from the Middle District of Florida ruled in favor of Church of Our Savior in its religious land use lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The Court held that the City violated RLUIPA’s Equal Terms […]
Read MoreCity Unjustly Zones Out Florida Church; Trial Begins Wednesday
ALLIANCE DEFENDING FREEDOM MEDIA ADVISORY September 16, 2014 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.adfmedia.org/home/contact City unjustly zones out Fla. church ADF-allied attorney available for comment each day of trial WHO: Alliance Defending Freedom allied attorney Daniel P. Dalton WHAT: […]
Read MoreDOJ Files RLUIPA Suit on Behalf on Minnesota Islamic Center
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a federal lawsuit against a Minnesota city, alleging the city violated RLUIPA when it denied the Abu Huraira Islamic Center’s (Abu Huraira) application for a conditional use permit to operate a worship facility in the basement of […]
Read MoreThe Next Religious Land Use and Zoning Trial – Church of our Savior v. Jacksonville Beach, Florida
The federal court in Jacksonville, Florida has denied the City of Jacksonville Beach’s Motion to Dismiss the Church of Our Savior’s Complaint against the City. In an opinion issued on July 18, the Honorable Judge Timothy J. Corrigan found that the Church had pleaded sufficient […]
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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