Leadership & Legal Team

Kelly Shackelford, Esq., is president and CEO of First Liberty Institute, the largest legal firm in the nation dedicated exclusively to protecting religious freedom for all Americans.

David Holmes is Chief Operating Officer for First Liberty Institute, where he oversees all program operations regarding finance, personnel, legal, and development.

Hiram Sasser, Esq., is Deputy Chief Counsel for First Liberty Institute, where he oversees Liberty Institute’s litigation efforts. Sasser’s practice focuses on First Amendment and other constitutional and civil rights issues.

Matthew Kacsmaryk, Esq., is Deputy General Counsel, where he oversees First Liberty Institute’s education initiatives and policy advisory team.

Kenneth A. (“Ken”) Klukowski, Esq., is Senior Counsel & Director of Strategic Affairs for First Liberty Institute, specializing in cases involving the First Amendment and freedom of belief and expression.

Michael Berry, Esq., is Deputy General Counsel & Director of Military Affairs for First Liberty Institute and is an expert on religious liberty within the military.

Roger Byron, Esq., is Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute. His practice focuses on religious liberty matters and the First Amendment.

Justin Butterfield, Esq., is Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute, where he focuses on religious liberty matters and the First Amendment.

Jeremy Dys, Esq., is Senior Counsel for First Liberty Institute, where he focuses on religious liberty matters and the First Amendment.

Chelsey Youman, Esq., is Chief of Staff & Counsel for First Liberty Institute, concentrating on religious liberty matters and First Amendment rights.

Stephanie N. (Phillips) Taub, Esq., serves as Counsel with First Liberty Institute, focusing on litigation, appellate advocacy, and legal education.

Kassie Dulin is the Director of Legal Communications for First Liberty Institute, where she oversees First Liberty Institute’s legal communications and media relations efforts.

Linda Thomas is the Sr. Director of Marketing for First Liberty Institute, where she oversees strategic marketing, branding, market research, marketing communications, creative services, events, digital marketing, and social media programs.

Lathan Watts is Director of Community Relations for First Liberty Institute responsible for all efforts to increase First Liberty Institute’s profile in local and national markets. His focus is on expanding public awareness of the mission, legal matters, and educational projects of First Liberty Institute by coordinating communication with community