11/6/2015Press Releases

Church Law Attorney Meets Supreme Court Justice

Forrest A. Norman, shareholder in Dickie McCamey’s Cleveland office and Chair of the Church Law Group, was invited to join a small group of lawyers and religious liberties advocates to meet with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito.

The topic of discussion of the meeting was ‘religious liberty issues in the law.’ As Mr. Norman noted, “The chance to meet with a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and ask him questions, was a wonderful opportunity to see the decisional process up close. The transparency of our judicial system is part of its genius, and we all would do well to recognize the role we play in affecting the laws of our great country.”

Churches and their outreach ministries are all affected by where the lines of free exercise of religion and separation of church and state are drawn. Where these concepts intersect, there is tension, and as a result, it is important for every outreach organization to be aware of their legal rights and the challenges they face, observes Mr. Norman. “The line is moving, and it is important for churches, ministries, and non-profit organizations to keep abreast of the legal aspects of their ‘business’ structure and supporting legal documents.”

Mr. Norman stresses that consulting with your attorneys is not just a good idea for churches, ministries, or religiously-affiliated non-profit organizations but is an integral aspect of both due diligence and good stewardship. “First amendment law is complicated, nuanced, and essential to our liberties. We, the people, are responsible for protecting it in the way we conduct our businesses and interact in society. We owe it to all peoples of all viewpoints and beliefs to preserve it and get it right.”

# # #

About Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. is a nationally-recognized law firm providing comprehensive legal expertise in a multitude of practice areas. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and founded more than 100 years ago, the firm serves industry-leading clients across the country from offices throughout the mid-Atlantic region in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia. For more information: 800-243-5412 or www.dmclaw.com.