Church Law & Tax Report

A federal court in Louisiana ruled that an employee of a church school was required to have her sex discrimination and sexual harassment claims resolved through binding arbitration rather than litigation.

A New Jersey court ruled that a woman could not sue her pastor and church for failing to report to civil authorities her sexual abuse that she had disclosed to them when she was a minor.

An Arkansas court dismissed a lawsuit brought by the former members of a church's board of deacons challenging their removal from office and dismissal from membership.

A California court ruled that a disruptive person who engaged in outbursts during church services and harassed members could be legally restrained from the church property.

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a national church controlled the property of a local church that desired to separate from the national church.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that it was prevented from resolving a claim that a church violated the legal rights of its pastor.

A Florida court ruled that a psychotherapist did not owe a legal duty to an outpatient client who committed suicide.

A New York court ruled that a church did not violate a state labor law prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees because of their lawful "recreational activities.”

A federal court dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former seminary student against a seminary alleging that the seminary violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A federal court in North Carolina ruled that a secular employer did not commit unlawful religious discrimination when it terminated an "ex-gay" employee.

A Colorado court ruled that Christian witnessing in a shopping mall was a form of free speech that was protected by the state constitution, but it could be limited by reasonable restrictions.

An Illinois court ruled that the directors of a public charity could not be liable for the dismissal of an employee because they were protected by a state "charitable immunity" law.

A New York court ruled that a "release" form signed by a high school student and his parents did not relieve a church-operated school from liability for injuries sustained by the student.

An Illinois court ruled that a driver's use of cell phone could be presented to a jury as evidence of negligence.

A federal appeals court ruled that employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy in the contents of their desks, cabinets, and computers, but that this expectation can be reduced or eliminated by policies or practices.

A Minnesota court ruled that it was barred from resolving a man's claim that his church and a denominational agency were responsible for the negligent counseling of his pastor.

A New York court ruled that a charity was legally responsible for the sexual molestation of a child by a custodian.

The New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that a church-operated campground did not qualify for exemption from property tax, except for a small chapel.

A federal appeals court ruled that a website that used a national church's registered trademarks without permission violated federal trademark law.

An Oregon court ruled that a church was required to pay state unemployment taxes on its pastor since he was an employee.

A Pennsylvania court ruled that the widow of a man who suffered a heart attack as a result of stress he experienced while working at a church was entitled to workers compensation benefits.

A federal court in Connecticut ruled that a city zoning commission violated federal law when it ordered a homeowner to stop conducting weekly prayer group meetings in his home.

A Texas court ruled that a city could compel a church-operated school to close because it failed to comply with various safety provisions in a city building code.