Our religious leaders are confronting cultural and governmental issues vastly different than those which faced their predecessors. In legal cases ranging from attempts by city government to illegally restrict use of signs to the application of health insurance requirements, government authorities tend to treat religious organizations differently from their secular counterparts. It is imperative that attorneys who serve religious institutions understand how to apply statutory exemptions, the First Amendment, state constitutional provisions, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, privilege statutes and similar laws.

We encourage our attorneys in the Church & Ministry Law practice group to serve as adjunct professors and instructors for faith-based schools, colleges and seminaries in teaching the application of the critical legal and financial issues in those institutions. Our attorneys regularly present seminars for the Church Network, the Lutheran Best Practices Conference, The Phoenix First Assembly of God’s Dream Conference, the Risk & Insurance Management Society, the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions and a host of other state and national conferences.

Active in various communities and capacities, our attorneys:

• were leaders in the effort to establish a religious liberty section of the Arizona State Bar Association
• are encouraged to provide both paid and pro bono services to assist those whose religious freedoms are under attack
• have been instrumental in providing training on handling media response in crisis situations and routinely advise our clients on mandatory sex abuse reporting issues

We offer programs for governing boards on topics ranging from donor development to board governance strategies and techniques, and have provided in-service training for religious schools, churches and other ministries.

In short, we would sincerely welcome the opportunity to assist in resolving any legal issues impacting your church or ministry and their operations. Bob Brown, head of the Church and Ministry Law practice group, serves as your point of first contact and may be reached on his direct line at 602-740-1032 or at Bob@ChurchLaw.US. The full Schmitt Schneck attorney team appreciates the opportunity to serve you.