ADF Allied Attorney Success Stories: March 2010

Congratulations to allied attorneys Tim Belz, Sharon Blakeney, Jim Bopp, John Carpay, Steve Fitschen and Pete Lepiscopo, Cathi Herrod, Jerald Jones and Joel Pierce, Jim Kelly, Michael Tierney, and Randy Wenger for their recent successes listed below. Please take time to congratulate them!

Tim Belz (Ottsen, Mauze, Leggat & Belz, L.C.). In Heartland Academy Community Church v. Waddle, the Eighth Circuit ruled that juvenile authorities violated the Constitution by using warrants obtained under false pretenses to raid the school (Tim’s client) and remove 115 children. The raid was motivated by the officials’ dislike of what the school taught.

Sharon Blakeney (Sharon F. Blakeney, Attorney & Counselor at Law). The Hill Country Weekly liked an article by Sharon so well that they have asked her to write a monthly article entitled “Legal Eagle.”

James Bopp, Jr. (Bopp, Coleson, and Bostrom; James Madison Center for Free Speech). Jim obtained a preliminary injunction against limitations on election spending for his clients in Thalheimer v. San Diego. The ruling was based on his recent Supreme Court victory in Citizens United.

John Carpay (Canadian Constitution Foundation). CCF intervened in Whatcott v. Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal to defend the right to oppose homosexual behavior publicly. The court ruled that the distribution of fliers opposing the teaching of homosexual behavior in public schools did not violate the “hate” crime laws, and overturned a $17,500 award to the offended complainants.

Steve Fitschen (National Legal Foundation) and Pete Lepiscopo (Lepiscopo & Morrow, LLP). Steve and Pete both filed amicus briefs in Newdow v. Rio Linda School District, in which the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance does not violate the Constitution.

Cathi Herrod (Center for Arizona Policy). Cathi Herrod and CAP recently received another great compliment from the left-leaning Arizona Republic for their behind-the-scenes influence on positive Arizona legislation. “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle call the non-profit the state’s most influential lobby.”

Jerald Jones (Lemle and Kelleher, L.L.P.) and Joel Pierce (The Law Offices of Joel L. Pierce). Jerald and Joel, along with ADF attorney Mike Johnson, successfully represented an intervening church in defending a denial of a liquor license for a business near the church in Shreveport, Louisiana. They won both at the trial court and in the Louisiana Court of Appeals.

Jim Kelly (Kelly Law Office, P.C.). Jim recently won acquittal of criminal charges against two street preachers in Vicksburg v. Bishop and Clemts in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Michael Tierney (Wadleigh Starr & Peters, PLLC). Michael obtained a permanent injunction against the Town of Hampton, New Hampshire in Frost v. Town of Hampton – the injunction prevents the town from applying an ordinance against his street preacher clients. This federal suit followed Michael’s successful defense of the street preachers in criminal proceedings.

Randy Wenger (Independence Law Center). Randy settled two federal abortion protester cases, with attorney fees, after the Third Circuit reversed the trial court’s dismissal of the claims. The cases are McTernan v. City of York and Snell v. City of York.

Don’t forget: if you have had a recent success or noteworthy accomplishment, we want to hear from you even if the issue is unrelated to the ADF core areas! It’s a great way for us to encourage each other.

Please note that we sometimes report successes or noteworthy items that are not within ADF areas of focus and that would not qualify for pro bono credit.

Thank you,
Glen Lavy
Senior Vice President
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