No. 25-802

Foothills Christian Ministries, et al. v. Kim Johnson, in Her Official Capacity as Director of the California Department of Social Services, et al.

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-01-07
Status: Pending
Type: Paid
Amici (6)Response RequestedResponse Waived Experienced Counsel
Tags: child-care-act compelled-speech first-amendment free-exercise religious-services zauderer-review
Key Terms:
FirstAmendment DueProcess FifthAmendment Securities Privacy JusticiabilityDoctri
Latest Conference: 2026-02-20
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Does California's religious services provision compel speech in violation of the First Amendment and interfere with free exercise rights of parochial schools?

Docket Entries

2026-02-12
Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including April 6, 2026.
2026-02-11
Motion to extend the time to file a response from March 6, 2026 to April 6, 2026, submitted to The Clerk.
2026-02-11
Motion of Kim Johnson, et al. for an extension of time submitted.
2026-02-06
Amicus brief of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates d/b/a NIFLA submitted.
2026-02-06
Brief amicus curiae of The National Legal Foundation filed.
2026-02-06
Brief amici curiae of West Virginia, et al. filed.
2026-02-06
Brief amici curiae of Notre Dame Education Law Project, et al. filed.
2026-02-06
Brief amicus curiae of National Institute of Family and Life Advocates d/b/a NIFLA filed.
2026-02-06
Amicus brief of Notre Dame Education Law Project, Notre Dame Program on Church, State & Society, and Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic submitted.
2026-02-06
Amicus brief of The National Legal Foundation submitted.
2026-02-06
Amicus brief of State of West Virginia and 10 Other States submitted.
2026-02-05
Brief amicus curiae of NC Values Institute filed.
2026-02-05
Amicus brief of NC Values Institute submitted.
2026-02-04
Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law and Justice filed.
2026-02-04
Response Requested. (Due March 6, 2026)
2026-02-04
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/20/2026.
2026-02-04
Amicus brief of American Center for Law and Justice submitted.
2026-01-26
Waiver of right of respondent Kim Johnson, et al. to respond filed.
2026-01-26
Waiver of Kim Johnson, et al. of right to respond submitted.
2026-01-05
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due February 6, 2026)

Attorneys

American Center for Law and Justice
Jay Alan SekulowAmerican Center for Law and Justice, Amicus
Jay Alan SekulowAmerican Center for Law and Justice, Amicus
Foothills Christian Ministries, Journey Community Church, Grove Church
Kevin T. SniderPacific Justice Institute, Petitioner
Kevin T. SniderPacific Justice Institute, Petitioner
Kim Johnson, et al.
Joshua A. KleinCalifornia Department of Justice, Respondent
Joshua A. KleinCalifornia Department of Justice, Respondent
Lora Nicole AllanCalifornia Department of Justice, Respondent
Lora Nicole AllanCalifornia Department of Justice, Respondent
National Institute of Family and Life Advocates d/b/a NIFLA
Denise HarleFSU College of Law First Amendment Clinic, Amicus
Denise HarleFSU College of Law First Amendment Clinic, Amicus
NC Values Institute
Deborah Dewart — Amicus
Deborah Dewart — Amicus
Notre Dame Education Law Project, Notre Dame Program on Church, State & Society, and Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic
Richard Wingfield Garnett IVNotre Dame Law School, Amicus
Richard Wingfield Garnett IVNotre Dame Law School, Amicus
State of West Virginia and 10 Other States
Michael Ray WilliamsOffice of the West Virginia Attorney General, Amicus
Michael Ray WilliamsOffice of the West Virginia Attorney General, Amicus
The National Legal Foundation
Frederick W. Claybrook Jr.Claybrook, LLC, Amicus
Frederick W. Claybrook Jr.Claybrook, LLC, Amicus