Key Cases

Faith Under Fire Ron Hittle | First Liberty Institute

Faith Under Fire

Fire Chief Ron Hittle Fired for His Faith

Fire Chief Ron Hittle was fired because he went to a leadership conference that was held at a church. After 24 years of service, the city of Stockton, California terminated him for attending this world-class leadership conference even though it encouraged him to attend leadership training. We argued Ron’s case in federal appeals court in early 2023 saying that firing employees because of their religion is illegal.

Pastor Chris Dad's Place | First Liberty Institute

Criminally Charged with Compassion

Backlash Against a Good Samaritan?

Pastor Chris Avell is facing criminal charges. His alleged crime? Ministering to the community of Bryan, Ohio 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

No matter the time of day, Pastor Chris wants to keep the doors of his church open as a refuge for those in need. But city officials are blocking him from helping the vulnerable. He has been hit with nearly two dozen criminal charges. And First Liberty will not let Pastor Chris stand alone in this battle.

The Alaska Airlines Case

Discrimination Doesn’t Fly

She’s not backing down from her beliefs

Alaska Airlines fired dedicated flight attendant Lacey Smith for expressing her religious beliefs. The firing was in direct violation of federal civil rights law which prohibits workplace religious discrimination. Woke madness is now governing our nation’s companies from the boardroom to the break room, and it’s forcing Lacey to choose between her job and her faith.

Cali Charter Schools | First Liberty Institute

Protecting Religious Families in California

Protecting Families Who Choose a Religious Education

First Liberty is fighting for three families who want the best education for their kids. They all use the help of public charter schools that offer homeschool programs. But California won’t let them choose a religious curriculum.

Jace Yarbrough | Space Force | First Liberty Insider

Discrimination First

Punished for Encouraging Truth and Integrity

Jace Yarbrough is being punished by Air Force officials for a private speech he gave as a civilian at a private retirement ceremony. This could destroy his military career in the Air Force Reserve.

First Liberty won’t let that happen – not on our watch.

Scripture Cenored Rooks | First Liberty

Scripture Censored Across the Board?

Ordered to Stop Quoting Bible Verses

Since taking office on the school board Heather regularly cites Bible verses during her time for remarks. She takes her responsibilities seriously and finds quoting Scripture to be calming and encouraging to her.

A radical secular organization, however, sent a letter saying Heather must stop quoting “incendiary Christian verses.” The group threatened to file a lawsuit if members continued quoting Scripture. The Peoria governing board’s attorney also “advised” Heather and other members against quoting Scripture during public meetings.

Valerie Kloosterman Bad Medicine | First Liberty

Bad Medicine

Physician Assistant Fired for Her Beliefs

The University of Michigan Health system fired Valerie Kloosterman, a physician assistant, because of her religious beliefs. She was terminated for seeking a religious accommodation from using biology-obscuring pronouns and from referring patients for “gender reassignment” drugs and surgeries. To fight this injustice, we filed a lawsuit against Michigan Health for violating federal law prohibiting workplace religious discrimination.

Sweet Cakes by Melissa

Sweet Cakes by Melissa

Can the government force Americans to choose between their faith and their livelihood?

Can the government force you to act against your conscience—to say or do something that directly conflicts with your religious beliefs? These are the questions at the heart of our case for Melissa Klein, award-winning cake artist and former owner of SweetCakes by Melissa. The state of Oregon imposed a $135,000 penalty and told her she needed “rehabilitation” for simply running her family business according to her religious beliefs. Now, almost 10 years later—after being forced to close her business and enduring violent death threats—she is still searching for justice, still waiting for the courts to recognize her constitutional right to stand by her faith as she runs her business.

Cambridge | Header Image

Prayer Out of Bounds?

State Officials Fumble Free Speech & Religious Liberty

First Liberty represents Cambridge Christian School, who was told by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) that it could not pray over the loudspeaker before kickoff of its state championship football game. Officials outrageously argued that prayer was an “endorsement” of religion since it would be taking place on government property. Their actions are illegal and unconstitutional—which is why we’re fighting in federal appeals court to bring justice to our clients.

Shields of Strength | First Liberty

Shields of Strength

A decades-old tradition of military members strengthening their faith with Scripture—now under attack by rogue anti-faith activists

Our service members love, want and have worn Shields of Strength for decades. That’s why we’re fighting to make sure this outside, anti-faith group doesn’t get away with such blatant religious discrimination.

Faith has a long history in America’s military. Forcing Shields of Strength to pull its dog tags isn’t just harsh and unkind—it’s illegal. The fact is, it’s perfectly constitutional for Americans who love their country to encourage military members with inspirational religious messages.

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