No. 24-154

Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al.

Lower Court: Wisconsin
Docketed: 2024-08-13
Status: Judgment Issued
Type: Paid
Amici (43)Relisted (2) Experienced Counsel
Tags: constitutional-challenge first-amendment religious-exemption religious-organization state-court tax-exemption
Key Terms:
FirstAmendment DueProcess Securities
Latest Conference: 2024-12-13 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Does a state violate the First Amendment's Religion Clauses by denying a religious organization an otherwise-available tax exemption because the organization does not meet the state's criteria for religious behavior?

Question Presented (from Petition)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED Wisconsin exempts from its state unemployment tax system certain religious organizations that are “operated, supervised, controlled, or principally supported by a church or convention or association of churches” and that are also “operated primarily for religious purposes.” Petitioners are Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Superior and several sub-entities. Although all agree Catholic Charities is controlled by a church—the Diocese of Superior—the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that Catholic Charities is not “operated primarily for religious purposes” and thus does not qualify for the tax exemption. Specifically, the court held that Catholic Charities’ activities are not “typical” religious activities because Catholic Charities serves and employs non-Catholics, Catholic Charities does not “attempt to imbue program participants with the Catholic faith,” and its services to the poor and needy could also be provided by secular organizations. The questions presented are: 1. Does a state violate the First Amendment’s Religion Clauses by denying a religious organization an otherwise-available tax exemption because the organization does not meet the state’s criteria for religious behavior? 2. In addressing federal constitutional challenges, may state courts require proof of unconstitutionality “beyond a reasonable doubt?”

Docket Entries

2025-08-05
Record returned to the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
2025-07-07
Judgment and Mandate Issued.
2025-06-05
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED Sotomayor, J., delivered the <a href = 'https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-154_2b82.pdf'>opinion</a> for a unanimous Court. Thomas, J., and Jackson, J., filed concurring opinions.
2025-06-05
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED Sotomayor, J., delivered the <a href = 'https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-154new_5i36.pdf'>opinion</a> for a unanimous Court. Thomas, J., and Jackson, J., filed concurring opinions.
2025-06-05
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the <a href = 'https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-154new_5i36.pdf'>opinion</a> for a unanimous Court. Thomas, J., and Jackson, J., filed concurring opinions.
2025-06-05
Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Sotomayor, J., delivered the <a href = 'https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24-154new2_4gdj.pdf'>opinion</a> for a unanimous Court. Thomas, J., and Jackson, J., filed concurring opinions.
2025-03-31
Argued. For petitioners: Eric C. Rassbach, Washington, D. C.; and Curtis E. Gannon, Deputy Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae.) For respondents: Colin T. Roth, Assistant Attorney General, Madison, Wis.
2025-03-21
Motion of the Deputy Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
2025-03-21
Reply of Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al. submitted.
2025-03-21
Reply of petitioners Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-05
Amicus brief of Service Employees International Union and American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees submitted.
2025-03-05
Amicus brief of International Municipal Lawyers Association submitted.
2025-03-05
Amicus brief of Freedom From Religion Foundation submitted.
2025-03-05
Amicus brief of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, et al. submitted.
2025-03-05
Amicus brief of American Atheists, Inc. submitted.
2025-03-05
Brief amicus curiae of Freedom From Religion Foundation filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-05
2025-03-05
Brief amicus curiae of International Municipal Lawyers Association filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-05
Brief amici curiae of Religious and Civil-Rights Organizations filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-05
Brief amici curiae of Service Employees International Union, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-03-04
Amicus brief of The Economic Policy Institute, et al. submitted.
2025-03-04
Motion of United States for leave to participate in oral argument and for divided argument submitted.
2025-03-04
Motion of the Deputy Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
2025-03-04
Brief amici curiae of Economic Policy Institute, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-02-27
Record received from the Supreme Court of Wisconsin and available with the Clerk.
2025-02-26
Brief of STATE OF WISCONSIN LABOR & INDUSTRY REVIEW COMMISSION AND STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT submitted.
2025-02-26
Brief of respondents State of Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-02-26
Brief of respondents Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al. filed. (Distributed)
2025-02-19
CIRCULATED
2025-02-12
Record requested from the Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
2025-02-10
SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, March 31, 2025.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of Wisconsin State Legislature submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of Wisconsin Catholic Conference submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of American Center for Law & Justice submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of Professor Nathan S. Chapman submitted.
2025-02-03
Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of New York State Catholic Conference submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of By The Hand Club For Kids submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of First Liberty Institute submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of City on a Hill Ministry submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of National Legal Foundation submitted.
2025-02-03
Amicus brief of Catholic Charities USA submitted.
2025-02-03
Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law & Justice filed.
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law and Justice filed.
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Brief amici curiae of Religious Liberty Scholars filed.
2025-02-03
Brief amicus curiae of City on a Hill Ministry filed.
2025-02-03
Brief amici curiae of Evangelical Council For Financial Accountability, et al. filed.
2025-02-03
Brief amici curiae of Religiously Affiliated Universities and Higher-Education Associations filed.
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Brief amici curiae of State of Ohio and 18 Other States filed.
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Brief amicus curiae of International Society for Krishna Consciousness filed.
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Brief amici curiae of Religiously Affiliated Universities, et al. filed.
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
2025-02-03
Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed.
2025-01-31
Amicus brief of The Catholic Conferences of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Washington submitted.
2025-01-31
Amicus brief of Professor Christopher C. Lund submitted.
2025-01-31
Brief amici curiae of The Catholic Conferences of Illinois,et al. filed.
2025-01-31
2025-01-31
Brief amici curiae of The Catholic Conferences of Illinois, et al. filed.
2025-01-30
Amicus brief of Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty submitted.
2025-01-30
2025-01-28
Amicus brief of World Faith Foundation submitted.
2025-01-28
2025-01-27
Brief of Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al. submitted.
2025-01-27
Joint Appendix submitted.
2025-01-27
2025-01-27
Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
2025-01-27
Joint appendix filed (1/28/25--reprint of paper copies only). (Statement of costs filed)
2025-01-27
Joint appendix filed (Jan. 28, 2025--reprint of paper copies only). (Statement of costs filed)
2024-12-16
The order granting the petition for a writ of certiorari is amended as follows: The petition for a writ of certiorari is granted limited to Question 1 presented by the petition.
2024-12-13
Petition GRANTED.
2024-12-09
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/13/2024.
2024-11-19
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/6/2024.
2024-11-18
Reply of petitioners Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
2024-11-14
Waiver of Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al. of the 14-day waiting period submitted.
2024-11-14
Waiver of the 14-day waiting period for the distribution of the petition pursuant to Rule 15.5 filed by petitioner.
2024-11-13
Brief of respondents State of Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al. in opposition filed.
2024-11-13
Brief of respondents Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al. in opposition filed.
2024-11-08
Brief of respondents Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al. in opposition filed.
2024-09-12
Amicus brief of Wisconsin State Legislature submitted.
2024-09-12
Amicus brief of Wisconsin Catholic Conference submitted.
2024-09-12
Amicus brief of Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty submitted.
2024-09-12
Amicus brief of By The Hand Club For Kids submitted.
2024-09-12
Amicus brief of THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD; THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS; THE ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION; THE MINNESOTA-WISCONSIN BAPTIST CONVENTION; AND THE ISLAM AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACTION TEAM submitted.
2024-09-12
2024-09-12
Brief amici curiae of The Catholic Conferences of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota filed.
2024-09-12
Brief amici curiae of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, et al. filed.
2024-09-12
2024-09-12
2024-09-12
2024-09-12
2024-09-12
Brief amici curiae of International Society for Krishna Consciousness and the Sikh Coalition filed.
2024-08-27
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including November 8, 2024.
2024-08-23
Motion to extend the time to file a response from September 12, 2024 to November 8, 2024, submitted to The Clerk.
2024-08-09
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 12, 2024)
2024-05-30
Application (23A1067) granted by Justice Barrett extending the time to file until August 11, 2024.
2024-05-28
Application (23A1067) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from June 12, 2024 to August 11, 2024, submitted to Justice Barrett.

Attorneys

American Atheists, Inc.
Geoffrey Thomas BlackwellAmerican Atheists, Inc., Amicus
Geoffrey Thomas BlackwellAmerican Atheists, Inc., Amicus
American Center for Law & Justice
Jay Alan SekulowAmerican Center for Law and Justice, Amicus
Jay Alan SekulowAmerican Center for Law and Justice, Amicus
Walter M. WeberAmerican Center for Law & Justice, Amicus
Walter M. WeberAmerican Center for Law & Justice, Amicus
Americans United for Separation of Church and State, et al.
Alexander J. LuchenitserAmericans United for Separation of Church & State, Amicus
By The Hand Club For Kids
John J. BurschAlliance Defending Freedom, Amicus
John J. BurschAlliance Defending Freedom, Amicus
Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc., et al.
Eric Christopher RassbachThe Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Petitioner
Eric Christopher RassbachThe Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, Petitioner
Catholic Charities USA
Keith R. StylesCatholic Charities USA, Amicus
Keith R. StylesCatholic Charities USA, Amicus
James Harold HulmeArentFox Schiff LLP, Amicus
James Harold HulmeArentFox Schiff LLP, Amicus
Christian Legal Society
Laura Darien NammoCenter for Law & Religious Freedom, Amicus
Laura Darien NammoCenter for Law & Religious Freedom, Amicus
Christian Legal Society, et al.
Steven T. McFarlandSuite 302, Amicus
Steven T. McFarlandSuite 302, Amicus
City on a Hill Ministry
Dino Luigi LaVerghettaSidley Austin LLP, Amicus
Dino Luigi LaVerghettaSidley Austin LLP, Amicus
Eleven Major Religious Denominations
Gene Clayton SchaerrSchaerr | Jaffe, Amicus
Evangelical Council For Financial Accountability, et al.
Stuart J. LarkTaft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Amicus
Stuart J. LarkTaft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Amicus
First Liberty Institute
Kelly J. ShackelfordFirst Liberty Institute, Amicus
Kelly J. ShackelfordFirst Liberty Institute, Amicus
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Samuel Troxell GroverFreedom From Religion Foundation, Amicus
Samuel Troxell GroverFreedom From Religion Foundation, Amicus
International Municipal Lawyers Association
John Michael BakerGreene Espel, PLLP, Amicus
John Michael BakerGreene Espel, PLLP, Amicus
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Benjamin Timothy Christian HayesGoodwin Procter LLP, Amicus
International Society for Krishna Consciousness and the Sikh Coalition
Benjamin Timothy Christian HayesGoodwin Procter LLP, Amicus
Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty
Anthony John DickJones Day, Amicus
Anthony John DickJones Day, Amicus
Jacob Moshe RothJones Day, Amicus
Maranatha Baptist University, et al.
Daniel Robert SuhrCenter for American Rights, Amicus
Daniel Robert SuhrCenter for American Rights, Amicus
National Legal Foundation
Frederick W. Claybrook Jr.Claybrook, LLC, Amicus
Frederick W. Claybrook Jr.Claybrook, LLC, Amicus
New York State Catholic Conference
Michael Louis CostelloTobin and Dempf, LLP, Amicus
Michael Louis CostelloTobin and Dempf, LLP, Amicus
Professor Christopher C. Lund
Christopher C. LundWayne State University Law School, Amicus
Christopher C. LundWayne State University Law School, Amicus
Professor Nathan S. Chapman
Jeffrey Ryan JohnsonJones Day, Amicus
Jeffrey Ryan JohnsonJones Day, Amicus
Religious and Civil-Rights Organizations
Alexander J. LuchenitserAmericans United for Separation of Church & State, Amicus
Religious Liberty Scholars
Richard Simon Cleary Jr.Williams & Connolly LLP, Amicus
Richard Simon Cleary Jr.Williams & Connolly LLP, Amicus
Sarah Michelle HarrisWilliams & Connolly LLP, Amicus
Sarah Michelle HarrisWilliams & Connolly LLP, Amicus
Religiously Affiliated Universities and Higher-Education Associations
Zachary Guy ParksCovington & Burling LLP, Amicus
Zachary Guy ParksCovington & Burling LLP, Amicus
Service Employees International Union and American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees
Scott A. KronlandAltshuler Berzon, LLP, Amicus
Scott A. KronlandAltshuler Berzon, LLP, Amicus
State of Ohio and 18 Other States
Thomas Elliot GaiserOffice of the Ohio Attorney General, Amicus
Thomas Elliot GaiserOffice of the Ohio Attorney General, Amicus
STATE OF WISCONSIN LABOR & INDUSTRY REVIEW COMMISSION AND STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Colin Thomas RothWisconsin Department of Justice, Respondent
Charlotte GibsonWisconsin Department of Justice, Respondent
The Catholic Conferences of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota
James Ney LawReinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Amicus
James Ney LawReinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Amicus
The Catholic Conferences of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Washington
James Ney LawReinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Amicus
The Economic Policy Institute, et al.
Laurence Jacques DupuisLegal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., Amicus
Laurence Jacques DupuisLegal Action of Wisconsin, Inc., Amicus
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD; THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS; THE ETHICS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION; THE MINNESOTA-WISCONSIN BAPTIST CONVENTION; AND THE ISLAM AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACTION TEAM
Gene Clayton SchaerrSchaerr | Jaffe, Amicus
Gene Clayton SchaerrSchaerr | Jaffe, Amicus
United States
Curtis E. Gannon — Amicus
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Amicus
Wisconsin Catholic Conference
Bradley George HubbardGibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Amicus
Bradley George HubbardGibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Amicus
Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission, et al.
Colin T. RothWisconsin Department of Justice, Respondent
Colin Thomas RothWisconsin Department of Justice, Respondent
Charlotte GibsonWisconsin Department of Justice, Respondent
Wisconsin State Legislature
Ryan Joseph WalshEimer Stahl LLP, Amicus
Ryan Joseph WalshEimer Stahl LLP, Amicus
World Faith Foundation
James L. Hirsen — Amicus
James L. Hirsen — Amicus