Topic

First Amendment - Religion

Every decision we've filed under First Amendment - Religion.

CALVARY CHAPEL BELFAST v. UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM; BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM; RYAN LOW

The First Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by a church challenging a university's rescission of a property sale award. The appellate court held that the church failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success on its claims that the university acted with unconstitutional religious animus.

Constitutional First Amendment - Religion Summary Judgment

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Jun 18 2026

9th Cir. 1:23-cv-03027-MKD Published

Union Gospel Mission of Yakima Washington v. Brown, et al.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ordered a rehearing en banc in this religious liberty dispute. The three-judge panel opinion that previously decided the case is hereby vacated.

Constitutional First Amendment - Religion

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Jun 4 2026

5th Cir. 25-50130 Panel Decision

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod v. Christian

The Fifth Circuit reversed a district court dismissal that applied secular corporate law to a religious organization's governance structure. The appellate court held that the First Amendment's church autonomy doctrine bars civil courts from reinterpreting a church's internal polity to determine diversity jurisdiction.

Constitutional First Amendment - Religion Summary Judgment

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May 29 2026

11th Cir. 25-10081 Per Curiam

Air Force Officer v. Lloyd J. Austin, III

The Eleventh Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging Air Force COVID-19 vaccine mandates as moot. The court held that because the mandates were rescinded and the complaint targeted only those specific orders, no live controversy remained for judicial review.

Constitutional First Amendment - Religion Mootness

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Jan 9 2026

1st Cir. 24-1063 Panel Decision

Brox v. Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket S.S. Auth.

The First Circuit affirmed the denial of preliminary injunctive relief against a steamship authority's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. The court held that the policy was neutral and generally applicable because the risks posed by permanent religious exemptions were not comparable to the limited, time-bound medical exemptions.

Constitutional First Amendment - Religion

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