Explore 15 court opinions on First Amendment Establishment Clause. AI-powered plain English summaries, key holdings, and legal analysis.
15 recent cases analyzed in this topic area.
Seventh Circuit: State official's religious promotion not Establishment Clause violation
Kayla Smiley v. Katie Jenner, decided by Seventh Circuit on April 21, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the defe...
Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of "Muslim Ban" and Retaliation Claims
Pacito v. Trump, decided by Ninth Circuit on March 5, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Pacito against former...
Fourth Circuit Upholds South Dakota's 'Ag-Gag' Law Against First Amendment Challenge
Stephanie Redding v. Kristi Noem, decided by Fourth Circuit on March 3, 2026, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed a district court's dismissal of a lawsui...
Texas Religious Freedom Disclaimer Law Upheld on Appeal
Hays County, Texas, Ruben Becerra, Debbie Ingalsbe, Michelle Cohen, Morgan Hammer, and Walt Smith, in Their Official Capacities v. Leslie Carnes, Jim Camp, Cathy Ramsey, Gabrielle Moore, and Ken Paxto...
First Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Establishment Clause and Due Process Claims
Irizarry Sierra v. Bisignano, decided by First Circuit on October 27, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The First Circuit affirmed the district court's dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Iriza...
Ninth Circuit: Guam Legislature Can Choose Who Offers Invocation
The Satanic Temple v. Labrador, decided by Ninth Circuit on September 2, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Satanic Temple (TST) sued the Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero, and other off...
Second Circuit Affirms NYC's Faith-Based Initiatives Program Funding
Wildlife Preserves v. Romero, decided by Second Circuit on August 22, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Second Circuit reviewed a district court's grant of summary judgment to the defenda...
Ninth Circuit: Guam's 'Day of Prayer' proclamation doesn't violate Establishment Clause
The Satanic Temple v. Labrador, decided by Ninth Circuit on August 11, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Satanic Temple (TST) sued the Governor of Guam, Lou Leon Guerrero, and other offic...
Ministerial Exception Bars Gay Teacher's Discrimination Claim Against Religious School
Aaron Pulsifer v. Westshore Christian Academy, decided by Sixth Circuit on July 9, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Sixth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by Aaron Pul...
SCOTUS Strikes Down Texas 'Save Chick-fil-A' Act as Unconstitutional
Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton, decided by Supreme Court of the United States on June 27, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Supreme Court considered whether a Texas law, the "Save ...
Eighth Circuit Denies Habeas Corpus for Death Row Inmate
Rony Soto Santos v. Pamela Bondi, decided by Eighth Circuit on May 12, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Eighth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of Rony Soto Santos's petition...
First Circuit: Student-led graduation prayer permissible if not school-sponsored
Capen v. Campbell, decided by First Circuit on April 17, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The First Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the defendants in a cas...
Fifth Circuit Upholds Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
Jackson v. Noem, decided by Fifth Circuit on March 20, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's denial of a preliminary injunction sought by plaintiff...
Supreme Court: Defamation Plaintiff Must Prove Specific Harm for Per Se Claims
Williams v. Reed, decided by Supreme Court of the United States on February 21, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Supreme Court reviewed a case where a plaintiff sued a defendant for alle...
Fifth Circuit Upholds Border Patrol Vehicle Search Based on Reasonable Suspicion
Doe v. Ferguson, decided by Fifth Circuit on February 13, 2025, resulted in a defendant win outcome. The Fifth Circuit affirmed the district court's grant of summary judgment to the defendant, Ferguso...