Second Edition of Litigating Religious Land Use Cases book on RLUIPA is now published
I am pleased to announce that the second edition of Litigating Religious Land Uses Cases has been published by the American Bar Association. It is available through the online ABA bookstore.
Why a book about religious land use?
My goal for this book is to provide religious entities and the lawyers who represent them with practical advice from my personal litigation experiences with RLUIPA, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. It is my hope that the book will serve as a useful guide for navigating the challenges and uncertainties that inevitably surround a religious land use claim.
I have represented religious institutions throughout the United States: from a Catholic high school in California to a Hindu temple in Pennsylvania. This book is intended to afford sound instruction based on some of those matters, as well as other reported religious land use cases that have been litigated throughout the United States and the courts’ interpretation of the statutory protections offered to religious entities in an attempt to level the playing field.
Why a second edition?
Soon after the first book was published in July 2014, readers contacted me and asked that when I write the second edition, I add in several new items. In addition, courts have made several significant RLUIPA decisions. It wasn’t difficult to realize a new edition could be significantly better if I added in the new cases and addressed the recommendations from my land use attorney colleagues, clients and friends.
This new edition updates all of the new case law involving RLUIPA through March 1, 2016. I have updated and enlarged the chapters addressing similar additional claims that can be raised in the context of religious land use and have added more historical context of the statute and related First Amendment Free Exercise claims. In addition, appendices were added to include three very important sections.
- Appendix 1 reprints the text of the RLUIPA statute
- Appendix 2 charts every single RLUIPA land use case, and
- Appendix 3 lists the leading law review articles covering RLUIPA.
Litigating Religious Land Use Cases is scheduled to be available on Amazon in 2017.
Help in religious land use matters
I hope you find the book to be a valuable resource. Should you have questions about it or about a land use matter affecting your religious institution, feel free to contact me at ddalton@daltontomich.com or 313-859-6000.
Sign up to receive RLUIPA and other religious land use updates from Dan.
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 […]
Read More