Religious Freedom – Law Office Of Ryan Henry

December 21, 2020Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Litigation, Procedure, Religious Freedom

Third Court of Appeals holds church’s motion for new trial in water rate EDJA case held valid given unique and troubling circumstances in case

City of Magnolia v Magnolia Bible Church, et al., 03-19-00631-CV (Tex. App. – Austin, Dec. 18, 2020) This is an interlocutory appeal […]

April 17, 2020Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Official/Qualified Immunity, Religious Freedom, Sec. 1983, Sovereign Immunity

U.S. 5th Circuit adopts 1st Amendment unbridled discretion/prior-restraint standards in federal suit against Texas Governor

Freedom from Religion Foundation, Inc. v. Greg Abbott Governor of the State of Texas, 18-50610, (5th Cir – April 3, 2020) This […]

May 31, 2018Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Injunction, Land Use, Litigation, Procedure, Religious Freedom, Sec. 1983, TOMA

City immune from claims it misapplied its own ordinances or procedures, but not for TOMA claims

Peter Schmitz, et al v. Town of Ponder, Texas, et al. 02-16-00114-CV, (Tex. App. – Fort Worth, May 10, 2018). This […]

August 9, 2016Declaratory Judgments, Religious Freedom, Tax

Neither appraisal district nor religious organization established entitlement to MSJ on tax exemption question regarding elderly housing, so full case remanded says 1st Court of Appeals

National Church Residences of Alief, TX v. Harris County Appraisal District, 01-15-00900-CV (Tex. App- Houston [ 1st Dist.] August 9, 2016) This […]

December 21, 2015Constitutional Challenge, Discrimination, Employment Law, Religious Freedom

Policy against preaching Christian beliefs in class is not evidence of religious discrimination says Austin Court of Appeals

Dr. James Jones v. Angelo State University, 03-14-00112-CV (Tex. App. – Austin, December 18, 2015). This is a religious discrimination/failure-to-accommodate in employment […]

May 8, 2014Constitutional Challenge, Declaratory Judgments, Litigation, Religious Freedom

Religious freedom plaintiffs’ claims are moot after ISD altered policy says Beaumont Court of Appeals.

Kountze Independent School District v. Coti Matthews, 09-13-00251-CV (Tex. App. — Beaumont, May 8, 2014). This is a religious freedom case brought […]

May 7, 2014Constitutional Challenge, Religious Freedom, Sec. 1983

Legislative prayer at city council meetings has historical support, ceremonial purpose and is permissible says U.S. Supreme Court.

Town of Greece v. Galloway, 12-696 (U.S. May 5, 2014) This is a First Amendment/Establishment Clause case where citizens challenged the Town’s […]

November 26, 2013Constitutional Challenge, Employment Law, Religious Freedom

Federal employee can potentially wear sword to work as religious symbol says 5th Circuit.

Tagore v. United States of America No. 12-20214 (5th Cir. November 13, 2013). This is a religious freedom case which, even though […]