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Ministerial exception case could have ‘explosive’ impact 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: January 17, 2012

Tags: employment discrimination, First Amendment, ministerial exception, religious organizations, sex abuse, Supreme Court

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the First Amendment’s ministerial exception bars job-bias suits against religion-based employers will likely have an impact far beyond discrimination claims.

The affirmative defense could be invoked in other cases, including those alleging sexual abuse by members of the clergy.

Constitution bars job-bias suit against religious school 

Published: January 11, 2012

Tags: First Amendment, ministerial exception

The First Amendment bars a disability discrimination suit brought by a teacher who was fired by a religious school, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a unanimous decision.

Religious school can fire teacher over live-in boyfriend 

Published: December 16, 2011

Tags: ministerial exception, religious discrimination, Title VII, wrongful discharge

The First Amendment’s ministerial exception bars a wrongful discharge suit brought by a teacher who was fired by a religious school because she was living with her boyfriend, the California Court of Appeal has ruled in affirming judgment.

Justices tussle over ADA ministerial exception 

By: Kimberly Atkins
Published: October 5, 2011

Tags: Americans with Disability Act, employment discrimination, First Amendment, ministerial exception, Supreme Court

WASHINGTON – During heated oral arguments Wednesday in a case involving religious doctrines, government interests and claims of job discrimination, the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court tried to carve out just how much constitutional leeway religious organizations have to fire employees without facing a job bias claim.

Catholic school can’t be sued for wrongful discharge 

Published: July 28, 2011

Tags: breach of implied contract, First Amendment, ministerial exception, negligent infliction of emotional distress, promissory estoppel, wrongful discharge

The First Amendment bars a wrongful discharge lawsuit brought by a Catholic school principal, the Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled in reversing the denial of a motion to dismiss.

Justices to decide whether parochial teacher can sue 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: March 28, 2011

Tags: AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, employment discrimination, First Amendment, ministerial exception

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the First Amendment’s ministerial exception applies to bar employment discrimination claims brought by a teacher at a religious school who teaches a full secular curriculum in addition to performing religious duties.

Catholic seminarian can’t bring overtime suit 

By: Pat Murphy
Published: December 13, 2010

Tags: First Amendment, ministerial exception, overtime

The First Amendment bars an overtime lawsuit filed by a plaintiff who entered a Catholic seminary with the intention of becoming a priest, the en banc 9th Circuit has ruled.

Seminarian’s wage suit precluded by First Amendment 

By: Correy Stephenson
Published: March 18, 2010

Tags: First Amendment, ministerial exception, overtime, wage and hour

A seminarian’s claim for overtime wages is barred by the Free Exercise clause of the First Amendment because he was a “minister” for purposes of the ministerial exception, the 9th Circuit has ruled.