No. 25-776

Youth 71Five Ministries v. Charlene Williams, Individually and as Director of Oregon Department of Education, et al.

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-01-02
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Response RequestedResponse Waived Experienced Counsel
Tags: constitutional-rights employment-discrimination first-amendment government-action grant-funding religious-autonomy
Key Terms:
SocialSecurity FirstAmendment EmploymentDiscrimina JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2026-02-20
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a religious organization can raise the First Amendment right to religious autonomy as an affirmative claim challenging government action and whether conditioning public grant access on waiving religious employment rights violates the First Amendment

Docket Entries

2026-02-13
Amicus brief of Heartbeat International, Inc. submitted.
2026-02-13
Amicus brief of Samaritan's Purse, Summit Ministries, and The Center for Public Justice submitted.
2026-02-05
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including March 19, 2026.
2026-02-04
Motion of Charlene Williams, et al. for an extension of time submitted.
2026-02-04
Motion to extend the time to file a response from February 17, 2026 to March 19, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2026-01-16
Response Requested. (Due February 17, 2026)
2026-01-14
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
2026-01-12
Waiver of right of respondent Charlene Williams, et al. to respond filed.
2025-12-23
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 2, 2026)

Attorneys

Charlene Williams, et al.
Paul L. SmithOregon Department of Justice - Appellate Division, Respondent
Paul L. SmithOregon Department of Justice - Appellate Division, Respondent
Heartbeat International, Inc.
Randall L. WengerIndependence Law Center, Amicus
Randall L. WengerIndependence Law Center, Amicus
Samaritan's Purse, Summit Ministries, and The Center for Public Justice
Ian Seth SpeirCovenant Law PLLC, Amicus
Ian Seth SpeirCovenant Law PLLC, Amicus
Youth 71Five Ministries
John J. BurschAlliance Defending Freedom, Petitioner
John J. BurschAlliance Defending Freedom, Petitioner