Wiley Rein Files Supreme Court Amicus Brief in Religious Liberties Case

June 21, 2011

On June 20, 2011, Wiley Rein filed an amicus brief on behalf of experts on religious tribunals in an important religious liberties case before the Supreme Court.  The case, Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC & Cheryl Perich, No. 10-553, centers around the "ministerial exception," which protects the First Amendment rights of religious organizations to select, discipline, and dismiss their ministerial employees without undue governmental interference from the various federal and state employment anti-discrimination laws.  The brief, on behalf of amici who have served on or are otherwise expert in religious courts of four different faith traditions, sought to "assist the Court in understanding the work of these religious courts and the vital role they play in religious organizations in this country and around the world, so it can place the ministerial exception in its proper context as a critical safeguard for religious organizations' freedom and vitality."

Wiley Rein Appellate and Litigation partner Megan L. Brown, and associates Justin D. Heminger, Brad Glaza and Michael Connolly, filed this brief.  They were assisted by Wiley Rein summer associates Christen Price and Shane Kelly.