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Former ASU Student Appeals Conviction for Distributing Constitution- Newsmax

This article by Nicole Wells was published January 27, 2023 on newsmax.com.  Former Arizona State Student Appeals Conviction for Distributing Constitution Copies Liberty Justice Center filed an appeal on behalf of a former Arizona State University student who was convicted of trespassing when he handed...

LJC fights against forced union representation for Massachusetts teacher -LJC Blog

January 2023
On Thursday, January 12, Liberty Justice Center attorney Reilly Stephens argued against forcing teachers to accept union representation before the United States Court of Appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Massachusetts law forces teachers to accept a union as their “exclusive representative” in salary negotiations, grievance procedures and other...

Virginia’s Discriminatory Ambassador Program – Courthouse News Service

This article by Joe Dodson was published December 8, 2022 on courthousenews.com. Virginia parents argue school ambassador program is discriminatory. Three Loudoun County parents say the school district’s student ambassador program, meant to combat systemic racism, discriminates against students based on their race and viewpoints....

State of the Unions – Chicago Magazine

This article by Edward Robert McClelland was published October 24, 2022 on chicagomag.com. As other Midwestern states restrict labor’s power, an amendment on the Illinois ballot would further protect it here. Bruce Rauner hated unions. But as a Republican governor with a Democratic legislature, he...

California to Doctors: Agree With Us or Shut Up – Wall Street Journal

The state empowers a medical board to punish ‘misinformation.’ The following article written by The Editorial Board appeared October 11, 2022 on wsj.com. California Gov. Gavin Newsom made a splash this summer by running ads in Florida that claimed “freedom is under attack in your state.” The...

Judge Strikes Down Federal Vaccine Mandate for Head Start Program – Newsmax

The following article written by Luca Cacciatore appeared September 22, 2022 on newsmax.com. A federal district court in Louisiana ruled Thursday that the government cannot require teachers and staff within the Head Start early education program to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Judge Terry A. Doughty also ruled...

Biden’s Vaccine, Mask Mandate Suffers Another Blow – Townhall

The following article written by Leah Barkoukis appeared September 22, 2022 on townhall.com. The Biden administration’s vaccine and mask mandate suffered another legal blow on Wednesday, when a federal judge in Louisiana ruled the government cannot force Head Start teachers, staff, and volunteers to be...

Federal Judge Eliminates Federal School Mask, Vaccine Mandates – Breitbart News

The following article written by Breccan F. Thies appeared September 21, 2022 on breitbart.com. A federal judge ruled Wednesday that federal school mask and vaccine mandates cannot be enforced because “liberty interests of individuals … outweigh any interest generated by the mandatory administration of vaccines.” The...

Newsmax: Fighting Vaccine Mandates

Brandon Trosclair and LJC's Daniel Suhr appeared on John Bachman Now to discuss taking the fight against the Biden Administration’s federal vaccine mandate to the Supreme Court. 

The TODAY Show: Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate

On the TODAY Show, Brandon Trosclair, a small business owner from Louisiana, and Buck Dougherty, senior attorney at Liberty Justice Center, discussed their lawsuit challenging the Biden Administration's federal vaccine mandate.

Who is Brandon Trosclair and why is he fighting the OSHA vaccine mandate

Brandon Trosclair is a hardworking Louisiana native, husband, and father of two who’s involved in his community. A second generation supermarket owner who employs several hundred people, Trosclair feels grateful not only to be living the American dream but to also be able to provide...

Sean Hannity Show: Defending Religious Freedom

Daniel Suhr, Managing attorney at the Liberty Justice Center, joined The Sean Hannity show to discuss Panozzo v. Riverside Healthcare, a new case filed on behalf of six nurses in Illinois whose religious exemptions were denied.

Experts debate legality of Biden’s vaccine mandate – ABC 7 News

This following article by Brooke Conrad appeared on September 15, 2021 on WJLA News. HUNT VALLEY, Md. (SBG) — Legal experts are weighing in on whether President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate will hold up in court. Some say the federal government does have the right to...

Taking Woke Education to Court — Real Clear Education

The following article by LJC attorney Daniel Suhr appeared on Real Clear Education on July 2, 2021 Free speech rights for students have always been a difficult issue because schools have unique needs and concerns. But whether it was black armbands to protest the Vietnam War or a picture...

Why Critical Race Theory in Schools is Becoming a Free Speech Issue

Critical race theory in schools is making headlines across the country, and every American, regardless of their viewpoint, needs to understand how CRT programs can impact students’ constitutional rights. Students’ First Amendment rights don’t stop at the schoolroom door.  Under the U.S. Constitution, every student—no...

Woke K-12 Education Goes to Court – Wall Street Journal

Represented by the nonprofit Liberty Justice Center, the parents and students sued the school board in federal court. They claim that Loudoun County Public Schools’ policies and programs to address “systemic racism” discriminate on the basis of race and viewpoint.

Liberty Justice Center discusses #1AWarrior on Glenn Beck

Principal Thorne’s experience illustrates the dangers of cancel culture. Thorne warned his students that anyone’s voice can be cancelled for any reason by a small group of people. And Shelby County Schools silenced him for that.

Liberty Justice Center reacts to Hinsdale District 86 “Equity Statement”

Patrick Hughes, president and co-founder of the Liberty Justice Center, notified a large school district in an affluent Chicago suburb that its newly adopted “Equity Statement” was not only flawed but may lead to violations of students’ and teachers’ Constitutional rights. The statement pledges “coherent,...

South Carolina Religious Schools File Lawsuit – WBTW News13

WBTW News13 covers Bishop of Charleston v. Adams, the federal lawsuit Liberty Justice Center filed on behalf of a group of religious schools and independent colleges in South Carolina who are suing to have the state's racist Blaine Amendment prohibiting spending public money on religious...

Donor disclosure laws codify ‘cancel culture’ – LJC Blog

In many states, making a donation has a hidden price tag – your privacy, job and safety.   Across the nation, public support for candidates and causes has resulted in lost jobs and contracts, ruined reputations and even death threats.  In a culture that’s willing...

Tennessee Supreme Court agrees to hear school voucher case – ABC 9

"The plaintiffs are trying to have their cake and eat it, too, because on one hand they argue about how the how the Home Rule amendment affects the counties, and then on the other hand the argument about how it affects the school districts," Kelsey said. "Respectfully,...

Parents’ suit challenges Vt. school tuition system – Bennington Banner

A group of Vermont parents are suing the state and local school districts over unequal access to education under the state’s 150-year-old Town Tuitioning system. The parents say the program violates the state constitution by allowing children residing in certain school districts to attend the...

Lawmakers, not judges, should make election law — LJC Blog

In an amicus brief filed on December 7, 2020, Liberty Justice Center Managing Attorney Daniel Suhr wrote to encourage the Supreme Court to “adopt a clear, bright-line rule based on the text of Section 2” to “bind lower court judges so that state executives and...

Parents push back against OEA – Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs

Several months ago, the Oklahoma State Board of Education rejected the Lindsey Nicole Henry (LNH) applications of two schools, Altus Christian Academy and Christian Heritage Academy, on the basis of their religious affiliation. Attorneys from the Liberty Justice Center immediately swung into action, working behind...

Appeals court hears media access case against Evers – Wisconsin Public Radio

In MacIver Institute v. Evers, the Liberty Justice Center represents journalist Bill Osmulski and the John K. MacIver Institute. Osmulski was unconstitutionally excluded from the Governor of Wisconsin’s press conferences, media alerts and public events. The following article by Shamane Mills appeared on Wisconsin Public...

Lawsuit: Illinois Expanded Mail Voting is Partisan Scheme – AP News

"More than any other state in the nation, Illinois has a track record of both corruption and incompetence – and its residents have no reason to believe that the government can conduct an honest and accurate vote-by-mail in the upcoming election," Sean Morrison, chairman of...

Illinois GOP Sues Gov. Pritzker Over Ban on Large Gatherings – WTTW News

Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker challenges Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The lawsuit highlights the arbitrary nature of the Executive Order as some groups can gather while other groups face restrictions. The lawsuit petitions the court to allow...

GOP Sues Pritzker Seeking Exemption From 10-Person Limit – AP News

Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker challenges Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The lawsuit highlights the arbitrary nature of the Executive Order as some groups can gather while other groups face restrictions. The lawsuit petitions the court to allow...

Illinois GOP Sue Over State’s Ten-Person Gathering Cap – Bloomberg Law

Illinois Republican Party v. Pritzker challenges Illinois Gov. J.B. Prtizker’s ban on gatherings of more than 10 people. The lawsuit highlights the arbitrary nature of the Executive Order as some groups can gather while other groups face restrictions. The lawsuit petitions the court to allow...

Tennessee Voucher Program Continues to be Blocked – Associated Press

In Government of Nashville v. Tennessee Department of Education, the Liberty Justice Center represents the two school leaders and three families who would qualify to participate in the Education Savings Account (ESA) Pilot Program for the 2020-2021 school year. The ESA Pilot Program provides scholarships...

In Reversal, Lee Says State No Longer Implementing Vouchers – WVLT

Defendants who have intervened in the lawsuits include voucher advocates, such as the Liberty Justice Center, the Institute for Justice and the Beacon Center of Tennessee – who also are representing parents in favor of the ESA program. All parties involved in the legal battle...

Cities, State Dig In Over Vouchers – Nashville Post

Shelby and Davidson counties’ effort to overturn Gov. Bill Lee’s education savings account program continued Wednesday as a Nashville judge considered various requests to rule or dismiss the lawsuit. Under the law passed last year by the Republican-led House and Senate, qualifying students in Nashville...

Federal Judge Strikes Down New Jersey Donor Disclosure Law – Ballotpedia

On March 11, Judge Brian R. Martinotti, of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, signed orders permanently barring New Jersey from enforcing a state law requiring select nonprofits to disclose identifying information about their donors. Multiple organizations challenged the law...

State Workers Sue Union over Forced Union Dues – Must Read Alaska

Two Alaska state employees filed a lawsuit against the State of Alaska and the Alaska State Employees Association today for forcing them to pay union dues against their will. According to the Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court ruling, union dues cannot be deducted from state employees’ paychecks...

Wednesday Round-Up – SCOTUSblog

At The Hill (via How Appealing), Harper Neidig reports that Mark Janus, “[a]n anti-union advocate who won a landmark Supreme Court case two years ago[,] is now asking the court to order a public sector labor group to pay back the union dues that it...

Union Foe Janus Wants High Court Return in Fee Dispute – Law 360

The ex-Illinois state worker who persuaded the U.S. Supreme Court to let public-sector workers refuse to fund their unions urged the high court Monday to review a ruling that his union doesn’t have to return the possibly millions of dollars in fees it collected over...

Judge Pledges To Move Swiftly On TN Education Voucher Lawsuit – Patch

A Nashville judge promised Friday to move expeditiously in the widening court battle over Tennessee’s new education savings account law as the state works to launch the program for the upcoming school year. Chancellor Anne C. Martin also indicated that she likely will allow three...

Judge: School Choice Advocates Can Intervene in Voucher Case – WVLT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee judge on Friday agreed to allow school choice advocates to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the legality of the state’s school voucher program. That means the Liberty Justice Center, the Institute for Justice and the Beacon Center of Tennessee...

Coming for the Lawyers – National Review

(Feb. 20, 2020) Charles Dickens recited a familiar complaint about lawyers in Bleak House when he wrote, “The one great principle of the English law is to make business for itself.”

Full Measure interview: Forced to pay

December 2019
The federal class-action lawsuit, Mattos v. AFSCME Council 3, seeks to recoup “agency” fees paid by Maryland state employees before the US Supreme Court ruled the mandatory fees were unconstitutional. This interview first appeared December 15, 2019 on Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson A Supreme Court decision...

ABC 27: State workers sue union over ‘fair share’ fees

November 2019
Filed on behalf of Pennsylvania state employees, the federal class-action lawsuit, Schaszberger v. AFSCME Council 13, demands a refund of the nonmember fees employees. These fees were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME in June 2018. This article first appeared...

WITF Public Radio: Seven Pa. workers want their union dues back

November 2019
Filed on behalf of Pennsylvania state employees, the federal class-action lawsuit, Schaszberger v. AFSCME Council 13, demands a refund of the nonmember fees employees. These fees were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Janus v. AFSCME in June 2018. This article first appeared...

Bloomberg Law: New York Sued for Blocking Government Worker ZIP Codes

October 2019
A public interest law firm is suing New York state, alleging an executive order issued following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision prevents government employees from learning about their union rights. The Liberty Justice Center filed a petition this week in the New York Supreme Court in...

Special Ed Teacher Suing to Leave California Union – Fox News

May 7 — A California educator is battling a state teachers’ union over his problems leaving the organization, in what his attorneys say could be a precedent-setting legal case that ultimately forces labor unions across the country to reimburse billions in back dues to their members. Tommy Few, a special...

Free Beacon: Employee sues Illinois school district, union over dues

May 2019
May 5, 2019 — Cole Lauterbach, Watchdog.org A school employee in Illinois filed a federal lawsuit against a local school district and the state’s largest public sector union, claiming both refused to stop deducting union dues from her paycheck months after she left the union....

MyNewsLA.com: University of California Employees Sue Over Union Dues

March 2019
Two University of California employees filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles, alleging union dues were illegally deducted from their paychecks despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that public workers are not required to pay fees to the unions representing them, it was announced Thursday....

LJC Threatens Litigation in 11 States Defying the Janus Ruling – Fox News

September 11, 2018 — Despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling this summer barring public-sector unions from requiring nonmembers to pay so-called agency fees, workers in several states say unions are either flat-out ignoring the decision or establishing a frustrating maze of procedural roadblocks to avoid...

LJC Sends “Cease and Desist” Letters to Four States – The Salem News

BOSTON — A conservative group is threatening to sue state and local officials if they don’t stop collecting union dues and agency fees from workers’ paychecks. In letters to Gov. Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and other officials, the Chicago-based...

Janus Lawyers Threaten Lawsuit Over Union Dues in Oregon – The Oregonian

(August 28, 2018) An Illinois legal nonprofit has sent cease and desist letters to state and local  officials threatening to sue the state of Oregon, the City of Portland and Portland Public Schools if they don’t stop collecting union dues and agency fees from workers’ paychecks. The Liberty Justice...

Mark Janus on Supreme Court Ruling – Fox Business

Jun. 27, 2018 Janus v. AFSCME plaintiff Mark Janus and attorney Jacob Huebert appeared on Fox Business News to discuss the Supreme Court ruling on public sector unions. Watch the latest video at foxbusiness.com

How AFSCME’s Demands Invited the Janus Case – The Chicago Tribune

June 25, 2018 — Kristen McQueary, Tribune Editorial Board It’s fitting that Mark Janus, the plaintiff behind a highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling this week, works for Illinois government. The union he sued is particularly influential in politics and policy here — with perilous outcomes...

IC Alum Central in Supreme Court Case – Journal Courier

To Illinois College alum Mark Janus, who is at the center of a history-making Supreme Court case, it’s about standing up for what he believes is right. It’s that belief that resulted in his fight against the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees...

Supreme Court Adds Union Fee Case to Blockbuster Docket – CNN

Sept. 28, 2017 Washington (CNN) – A week before the Supreme Court is set to begin the new term, justices announced Thursday that they are adding a big public sector union fees case to an already blockbuster docket. The issue concerns something that deeply divided...

Unions Come Into the Justices’ Cross Hairs, Again – New York Times

June 12, 2017 Last year, the Supreme Court seemed poised to deal a sharp blow to public sector unions. Then Justice Antonin Scalia died and the court deadlocked, granting the unions a reprieve. It may not last long. Last week, a new case raising the same legal question arrived at the...

Judge: Cannabis Companies Can Make Campaign Contributions – Associated Press

Mar. 31, 2017 Illinois’ medical marijuana companies, operating in an industry abounding with rules, now have one less regulation they have to follow. The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2optGrA) reports that a federal judge ruled last week that a provision preventing cannabis companies from making campaign contributions...

Right-to-Work Court Case Could Have National Impact on Unions – Fox News

Feb. 10, 2017 A landmark right-to-work lawsuit playing out in Illinois has captured widespread attention amid expectations the case could land before the Supreme Court – and potentially have national implications for an estimated 20 million government workers. Pat Hughes, who’s representing the three plaintiffs...

Chicago Sued for Prohibiting Ads in Uber, Lyft Cars – CBS

Feb. 2, 2017 CHICAGO (CBS) — The City of Chicago is being sued for prohibiting advertising in ridesharing vehicles, such as those from Uber or Lyft. WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports. The lawsuit is filed on behalf of Vugo, a company that wants to put...

City Sued for Banning Ads in Ride-Share Vehicles – The Chicago Tribune

Feb. 2, 2017 A Minneapolis technology company has sued the city of Chicago for banning advertising inside the private cars used by Uber, Lyft and other ride-share company drivers. Vugo, founded in 2015 and looking to expand its digital advertising business to ride-sharing vehicles here, filed a federal lawsuit...

Lawsuit Blasts New Airbnb Regulations – Fox News

Nov. 15, 2016 FOX 32 NEWS – A lawsuit has been filed to stop a new ordinance that would put stricter regulations on people who share their homes through sites like Airbnb. The ordinance is set to take effect in just a few weeks, but this...

Evanston Opens Door to Outside Food Trucks – The Chicago Tribune

June 16, 2016 Food trucks from outside of Evanston can now peddle their gourmet sandwiches, pastries, coffee and other foods within the city’s borders, thanks to an ordinance change approved by the Evanston City Council on Monday, lifting a restriction that had been place since 2010. Evanston...

Why I Don’t Want to Pay Union Dues – The Chicago Tribune

Mark Janus is the lead plaintiff in Janus v. AFSCME. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Janus v. AFSCME that mandatory government union fees are illegal. Mark Janus is arguing AFSCME should refund the illegal dues he was forced to pay. The article...

Lawsuit Filed over SEIU Representation – State Journal Register

In Hill v. SEIU, the Liberty Justice Center represented personal assistants and child care providers to end SEIU’s exclusive representation. The government’s appointment of an exclusive representative to speak on the behalf of all personal assistants and child care providers violates their First Amendment right...

Home Care Workers Sue State, Union – Alton Daily News

In Hill v. SEIU, the Liberty Justice Center represented personal assistants and child care providers to end SEIU’s exclusive representation. The government’s appointment of an exclusive representative to speak on the behalf of all personal assistants and child care providers violates their First Amendment right...

In-Home Care Workers Sue State, Union – The Chicago Tribune

In Hill v. SEIU, the Liberty Justice Center represented personal assistants and child care providers to end SEIU’s exclusive representation. The government’s appointment of an exclusive representative to speak on the behalf of all personal assistants and child care providers violates their First Amendment right...

Caregivers Sue to Block Union Bond – Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

In Hill v. SEIU, the Liberty Justice Center represented personal assistants and child care providers to end SEIU’s exclusive representation. The government’s appointment of an exclusive representative to speak on the behalf of all personal assistants and child care providers violates their First Amendment right...

Analyzing Rauner’s Executive Order – Chicago Tonight

Jacob Huebert was featured on Chicago Tonight on WTTW to discuss Gov. Rauner’s executive order giving freedom from mandatory union dues and union membership to Illinois workers. During the segment, Jacob discussed how the Governor’s action represents a significant step forward for Illinois’ economy and...

Doughnuts Fight City Hall – in Evanston – Grub Street

Beaver Donuts v. City of Evanston challenged city code that prohibited all food trucks in Evanston, except those operated by owners of existing brick-and-mortar establishments. The Liberty Justice Center challenged the city code on the grounds that it did not protect health, safety or welfare,...

Evanston Law Spurs Food Fight – NBC

Beaver Donuts v. City of Evanston challenged city code that prohibited all food trucks in Evanston, except those operated by owners of existing brick-and-mortar establishments. The Liberty Justice Center challenged the city code on the grounds that it did not protect health, safety or welfare,...