Religious Freedom and
Free Exercise
When government actions burden sincere religious practice or treat it as less important than comparable secular activity.
Religious freedom protections are not limited to one faith or viewpoint. They apply to individuals, congregations, religious schools, and faith based organizations across traditions. Jump Start Legal Justice Center represents clients in federal cases where government actors burden religious practice, deny equal access, or apply rules differently because of religious exercise.
Who We Commonly Represent
We handle federal religious freedom and free exercise matters for:
Religious organizations and houses of worship facing land use or zoning barriers
Faith based schools and educational programs subject to unequal rules
Individuals in public employment, education, or public programs pressured to change, hide, or abandon religious practice
Religious nonprofits and ministries denied equal treatment in access to public forums, benefits, or partnerships
If your situation involves government action and a sincere religious practice, we can help evaluate whether federal free exercise protections apply.
How Federal Law Protects Religious Exercise
Every case depends on its facts, but some patterns recur in religious freedom and free exercise work.
Land Use And Zoning: Houses of worship or religious schools denied permits, refused variances, or restricted in ways that do not match how comparable secular assemblies are treated.
Public Education Policies: Rules that burden religious dress, symbols, or observances, or that punish students more harshly when religion is involved.
Public Employment: Employees in government roles or public institutions disciplined or denied opportunities because of religious observance, accommodation requests, or expression.
Access To Public Forums: Religious organizations excluded from public facilities, community events, or benefit programs made available to comparable secular groups.
Unequal Enforcement: Neutral written policies applied more strictly when religious activity is involved than when similar secular activity occurs.
Listing these situations does not mean that every example is unlawful, but they are the types of questions that often require a careful federal analysis.
Free Exercise And Statutory Protections
The First Amendment prohibits government from singling out religious exercise for worse treatment than comparable secular activity. In some contexts, federal statutes provide additional protection when government actions substantially burden religious exercise, particularly in land use and institutional settings.
In appropriate cases, claims may arise under the Free Exercise Clause, the Free Speech and Assembly Clauses, the Equal Protection Clause, and federal statutes such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). We evaluate which tools fit the facts and which courts have addressed similar issues.
Careful Fact Development And Strategic Litigation
Religious freedom cases require a clear record of how the government treated religious activity as compared to other activity. We work with clients to gather documents, correspondence, and witness accounts that show the full picture of what occurred, including whether similar secular organizations were handled differently.
From the outset, we consider both trial and appellate strategy. Some cases may be resolved at the district court level through motions or settlement. Others may require appeals to clarify how existing precedent applies to new circumstances. We provide straightforward guidance about potential paths and limits at each stage.
Assess whether the matter belongs in federal court and what claims may apply
Analyze how policies operate in practice, not only on paper
Develop a clear factual record on equal or unequal treatment
Coordinate trial level work with potential appellate issues
First Steps In A Religious Freedom Matter
If you reach out about a religious freedom concern, we will typically ask for a written summary of events, relevant policies or letters, and the key dates when actions were taken. If the matter appears to fit our federal practice, we may schedule a consultation to discuss:
What government entity is involved and what it did
How religious exercise is being burdened or treated differently
Whether other groups are treated more favorably under the same rules
Any upcoming deadlines or hearings
A consultation or case review does not guarantee representation. No attorney client relationship exists unless and until we both sign a written fee agreement.
Share What Happened. Learn Your Options.
If you believe a government policy or decision is burdening sincere religious practice or treating religious activity less favorably than similar secular activity, it is important to understand what the law requires and what steps are available. An initial review can help determine whether federal religious freedom protections may apply.
This website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this site or contacting Jump Start Legal Justice Center does not create an attorney client relationship. No attorney client relationship exists unless and until a written fee agreement is signed. Attorney licensed in Texas. Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.