ADF at the Supreme Court
Keep up-to-date on all the latest ADF cases before the Supreme Court, and learn more about some of the precedent-setting cases in which we’ve played a role.
Pending Cases
ADF has petitioned the Supreme Court to hear these cases.
Religious Freedom
Gordon College v. DeWeese-BoydA Gordon College associate professor of social work with an advanced degree in theology applied for promotion to full professorship, but her application was declined in 2016 because her performance fell short of the college’s expectations for faculty scholarship and institutional service. She also revealed that she no longer agrees with significant religious beliefs in the college’s covenantal documents that she had to reaffirm every year of her employment. Nonetheless, she filed suit over the college’s decision.
Religious Freedom
Seattle's Union Gospel Mission (SUGM) v. WoodsA Washington Supreme Court decision forces a religious nonprofit, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, to hire employees who do not share the organization’s religious beliefs. The ministry’s religious convictions and evangelization are the foundation of everything it does, and therefore every staff member must live out and share the Mission’s religious beliefs for the Mission to be successful. (Photo Credit: Seattle's Union Gospel Mission
Religious Freedom
303 Creative v. ElenisA Colorado law forces web designer Lorie Smith and her studio, 303 Creative, to design and publish websites promoting messages that violate her religious beliefs. The law at issue also prevents Lorie from even explaining on her own company’s website what websites she can create consistent with her religious beliefs.
Previous Cases
From the unanimous 9-0 victory in Reed v. Town of Gilbert to the historic precedent-setting win in Conestoga Wood Specialties v. Burwell, ADF has played a role in multiple cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, including 64 victories.
Religious Freedom
Thomas More Law Center v. BontaThe California attorney general's office demands nonprofits turn over confidential donor information. This could open up donors to harassment and intimidation.
Religious Freedom
Uzuegbunam v. PreczewskiHear the story of Chike Uzuegbunam, who was stopped twice from peacefully sharing his Christian faith with fellow students on his college campus.
Life
The Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Trump v. Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaUS Supreme Court upholds HHS rules protecting nuns from funding abortion
Religious Freedom
Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and St. James School v. BielHigh court affirms freedom of religious schools to determine who teaches their faith
Religious Freedom
Espinoza v. Montana Department of RevenueIn a key case, the Supreme Court delivered a victory for parents, children, and religious schools.
Religious Freedom
Thompson v. HebdonUS Supreme Court vacates decision that upheld Alaska’s draconian campaign contribution limits
Life
National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. BecerraCalifornia’s Reproductive FACT Act, AB 775, forced pro-life pregnancy care centers to provide free advertising for the abortion industry.
Religious Freedom
The American Legion v. American Humanist AssociationADF files friend-of-the-court-brief asking court to honor veterans, apply Constitution correctly
Religious Freedom
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights CommissionColorado Civil Rights Commission targeted Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop for creating cake art according to his religious beliefs.
Religious Freedom
Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. ComerTrinity Lutheran Pre-School was denied a grant that would provide a safe playground for children, simply because they're a church. ADF took up the case and won.
Religious Freedom
Geneva College v. AzarFederal government requires a Christian liberal arts college to include abortion-inducing drugs and devices in its employee and student health plans
Religious Freedom
Southern Nazarene University v. AzarFour Christian universities in Oklahoma filed suit against the Obama administration’s mandate
Religious Freedom
Reed v. Town of GilbertTown Discriminates Against Church Signs While Widely Permitting Political, Real Estate, and other Similar Signs
Religious Freedom
Susan B. Anthony List v. DriehausAn Ohio law criminalizes political speech that a state agency determines to be “false.”
Religious Freedom
Conestoga Wood Specialties v. BurwellFederal government requires a Christian business to pay for abortion-inducing drugs for its employees
Religious Freedom
McCullen v. CoakleySupreme Court vindicates the rights of pro-life sidewalk counselors to engage in peaceful prayer and witness to women and men entering abortion facilities in a 9-0 victory for Free Speech.
Religious Freedom
Lane v. FranksCentral Alabama Community College fired a staff member after a federal court subpoenaed him to testify in a lawsuit concerning fraud by a state legislator.
Religious Freedom
Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. WinnAlliance Defending Freedom and its allies secure an important U.S. Supreme Court decision protecting school choice
Marriage & Family
Federal Communications Commission v. Fox Television StationsADF filed friend-of-the-court brief in defense of FCC rules against obscenity in broadcasts
Religious Freedom
Pleasant Grove City v. SummumADF provided funding, friend-of-the-court briefs in case involving Utah monument
Religious Freedom
Hein v. Freedom From Religion FoundationTaxpayers lack standing to bring an Establishment Clause challenge to a Presidential program that funds conferences to explain to community groups how to apply for federal grants to help poor people and others in need.
Religious Freedom
Gonzales v. CarhartThe Supreme Court held that ban on partial-birth abortion was constitutional—bringing this inhuman procedure to an end.
Religious Freedom
Scheidler v. National Organization for WomenThe Supreme Court overturned judgments and massive fines against multiple pro-life protesters.
Religious Freedom
Van Orden v. PerryState sued for placing historical monuments, including Ten Commandments monument, near state capitol.
Religious Freedom
Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System v. SouthworthUniversity forces students to support causes they disagree with—but refuses to apply the same principle to itself.
Religious Freedom
United States v. American Library AssociationPublic funding for internet access contingent upon use of filter to limit harmful material
Religious Freedom
Zelman v. Simmons-HarrisThe constitutionality of school vouchers used by parents choosing to send their child to a religious school
Religious Freedom
Good News Club v. Milford Central School DistrictProtecting the right of a religious organization to use public facilities on the same basis as other community groups.
Religious Freedom
Washington v. Glucksberg | Vacco v. QuillThe Supreme Court upheld two state bans on assisted suicide.
Religious Freedom
Rosenberger v. Rector and Visitors of the University of VirginiaThe United States Supreme Court says university cannot discriminate against Christian student newspaper
Religious Freedom
Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of BostonThe United States Supreme Court upholds the right of free association.