Amy Lynn Photography Studio v. City of Madison

Summary

Christian photographer Amy Lawson owned her own studio in Madison, Wisconsin. Amy’s Christian faith has always undergirded her work, which means that there are certain messages that she cannot express through her photography. But both a city ordinance and a state law denied Amy the freedom to choose the messages she expresses—under threat of severe penalties. After ADF filed a lawsuit on Amy’s behalf, city and state officials backed down and agreed not to apply their laws against Amy’s business.  A county circuit court then formally ruled that neither the city ordinance nor the state law applied to Amy’s business, resolving the case in Amy’s favor and protecting her business going forward.  

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Jonathan Scruggs

Senior Counsel, Vice President of Litigation Strategy & the Center for Conscience Initiatives

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