Our 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 General 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.

Benjamin Bull is widely recognized as one of the top religious freedom attorneys in the country, as well as internationally. He served previously as Chief Counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) where he launched and led its trial and appellate advocacy work.

Andrew D. Graham, Esq., leads First Liberty Institute’s policy and education initiatives. He is also responsible for building coalitions with allied organizations and individuals across the country.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Reed Smith serves as Counsel for First Liberty Institute, focusing on religious liberty matters and First Amendment rights.

Keisha Russell is Associate Counsel with First Liberty Institute, concentrating on religious liberty matters and First Amendment rights. Russell attended Emory University School of Law, where she was heavily involved in Emory’s prestigious Center for the Study of Law and Religion. She served on the Emory Journal of Law & […]

Lea Patterson is Associate Counsel with First Liberty Institute, focusing on litigation. Before joining First Liberty, Patterson worked in St. Louis, Missouri as a law clerk to the Honorable Raymond W. Gruender in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Patterson received her law degree from the […]

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 First Liberty’s mission, legal matters, and educational projects by coordinating communication with community leaders, influencers, policy […]

Linda Thomas is the Sr. Director of Market Research and Foundations for First Liberty Institute, where she oversees market intelligence and First Liberty’s work with foundations. She leads the effort to use data and market insight to improve strategic decision making.