Religious Institutions
First Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Need for RLUIPA Plaintiffs to Exhaust Administrative Remedies
A recent decision from the First Circuit Court of Appeals showed how important it is for religious organizations claiming a government has violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (“RLUIPA”) to exhaust their administrative remedies before heading to court. In Roman Catholic Bishop […]
Read MoreRLUIPA Claim by Ranch Owner Seeking to Build Chapel Not Ripe for Review
In a decision last week from the Eastern District of California, the Court dismissed a RLUIPA claim asserted by a ranch owner who was prohibited from building a private chapel on his property, finding that his claim was not ripe for review. In Anselmo v. […]
Read MoreFederal Courts Split on Whether Contraceptive Mandate Provision Puts Substantial Burden on Religious Exercise
The mandate that businesses provide contraceptive coverage to their employees under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) or face substantial fines has led to more than 50 lawsuits against the federal government in federal courts across the country. To date there has been a split among […]
Read MoreFederal Appeals Court Orders Georgia Mosque and City to Resolve Zoning Dispute
Last week, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Islamic Center of North Fulton, Inc. v. City of Alpharetta, Georgia, that the City and Islamic Center must work together to try to resolve a zoning dispute surrounding the Islamic Center’s proposed expansion of its […]
Read MoreIllinois Islamic Congregation Can Proceed with RLUIPA Claims
A recent federal court decision allowed an Islamic congregation to go forward with religious land use discrimination claims against a county in Illinois. In Islamic Center of Western Suburbs v. County of DuPage, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 179042 (N.D. Ill. Dec. 18, 2012), the Islamic […]
Read MoreCalifornia City to Pay $2.3 Million to Settle RLUIPA Suit
The City of San Leandro, California has agreed to a settlement agreement in which it will pay the International Church of Foursquare Gospel $2.3 million in order to end its five-year litigation with the Church. The case had worked its way through the Ninth Circuit […]
Read MoreSecond Circuit Affirms RLUIPA Decision in Favor of NY Church
On September 24, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a 2010 decision that found a New York town violated the constitutional rights of a Pentecostal church that owned property in the Town, effectively ending the fourteen-year saga between the parties. In 1998, Fortress Bible […]
Read MoreNew RLUIPA Lawsuit Filed in Michigan on Behalf of Islamic Academy
Last month, an Islamic school from Ann Arbor, Michigan, filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the Township’s denial of the school’s request for a zoning variance amounted to a violation of RLUIPA and the U.S. Constitution. In October 2011, the Township Board of Trustees unanimously […]
Read MoreEqual Terms and RLUIPA
The second circuit was recently presented with issue of defining the equal terms provision of RLUIPA but chose not to given that it reached a conclusion to reverse the trial court on other grounds. Had it decided it would define the term, the Court would […]
Read MoreBreaking News: the 9th Circuit Finds a City Zoning Scheme Creates a Substantial Burden
In a published opinion released just hours ago, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals released its decision in International Church of the Foresquare Gospel v. City of San Leandro, Case No. 09-15163 where the Court reversed the decision of the lower court who granted summary […]
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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