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2023
ADF Achieves 15th Victory at the Supreme Court
In 303 Creative v. Elenis, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Colorado cannot punish graphic artist and website designer Lorie Smith for creating custom art consistent with her beliefs. This is a win for the free-speech rights of all Americans. The Supreme Court’s decision affirms a bedrock principle: the government cannot force us to say something we don’t believe. Equal treatment under the law requires protecting everyone’s right to free speech. -
2022
ADF Board names new CEO, president
Alliance Defending Freedom announced Kristen Waggoner as its new CEO and president. Waggoner assumed the post on Oct. 1, succeeding Michael Farris, who joined ADF in January 2017, and Alan Sears, who served 23 years as the founding CEO. Under her leadership on the U.S. legal team, ADF has secured 13 of ADF’s 14 U.S. Supreme Court wins since 2011. Since Farris and Waggoner joined, ADF has garnered recognition as one of the largest legal powerhouses defending God-given freedoms, and at the close of the 2021 fiscal year in June, it crossed the $100 million revenue threshold. Michael Farris will continue to serve ADF in key areas related to his expertise. -
2022
ADF Achieves 14th Victory at the Supreme Court Since 2011
In Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. This monumental decision upheld Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act, which limits abortions after 15 weeks. It is a victory that will be felt for generations and one that significantly advances our Generational Win effort to guarantee the right to life from conception to natural death.
ADF worked with Mississippi lawmakers to draft the Gestational Age Act, supported the defense of this law throughout the lower court litigation, and served on the Mississippi legal team defending the law at the Supreme Court. -
2021
ADF Achieves 13th Victory at U.S. Supreme Court since 2011
In Thomas More Law Center v. Bonta, the Supreme Court struck down California's unnecessary and unconstitutional blanket donor-disclosure requirement, preserving every American's right to peacefully support causes and charities they believe in without fear of harassment or intimidation. -
2021
A Major Victory for the First Amendment
In Meriwether v. The Trustees of Shawnee State University, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rules that the university violated ADF client Dr. Nicholas Meriwether’s First Amendment rights when it punished the professor for declining a male student’s demand to be referred to as a woman. -
2021
ADF Achieves 12th Victory at U.S. Supreme Court Since 2011
The Supreme Court delivers justice for ADF client Chike Uzuegbunam in Uzuegbunam v. Preczewski, ruling that the government officials who silenced him twice as he tried to share his faith on campus while a college student cannot evade accountability for violating his rights simply by changing their policies going forward. -
2020
Appeals Court Rules Nevada Churches Can’t Be Treated Worse Than Casinos
In Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley v. Sisolak, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit halted enforcement of Nevada’s COVID-19 restrictions that treated churches, including our clients, more harshly than other venues, such as casinos. -
2020
ADF Helps Thousands of Churches and Ministries Navigate COVID-19 Restrictions
In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, ADF assists, or equips others to assist, more than 3,200 churches and ministries on COVID-19-related issues. -
2020
ADF Plays a Role in Three Crucial Wins at the U.S. Supreme Court
Espinoza v. Montana Department of RevenueIn a case backed by ADF, the Supreme Court rules that states can’t oust parents and children from neutral benefit programs simply because they choose a religious private school.Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, St. James School v. BielThe Supreme Court affirms, in an ADF-backed case, that the First Amendment prevents the government from meddling with a religious group’s employment decisions about those who teach the faith.Little Sisters of The Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Trump v. Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaIn an ADF-backed case, the Supreme Court upholds the government’s ability to enact U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rules that protect organizations with religious or moral objections to abortion from being subject to a federal requirement that employer health plans cover abortifacients. -
2019
Student Speech Protected on California State University Campuses
A federal court holds that a CSU-San Marcos campus policy that allowed university officials to allocate student funding unequally and favor some student groups over others violates the First Amendment and the rights of our client, Nathan Apodaca. The court denied qualified immunity to the Chancellor and President which resulted in changes to the policies of all 23 other CSU campuses as well, representing close to half a million students. -
2019
ADF Achieves 10th Victory at U.S. Supreme Court in Eight Years
In Thompson v. Hebdon, the Supreme Court vacates a federal appeals court decision that had upheld Alaska’s draconian campaign contribution laws, ordering the lower court to revisit its previous ruling in light of the Court’s First Amendment decisions. ADF represented Alaska voters before the Court, together with lead counsel Paul D. Clement and other Kirkland & Ellis LLP attorneys. -
2019
Kentucky Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Print Shop Owner
After a seven-year legal battle defending his right not to be forced to print messages that violate his religious beliefs, promotional printer and ADF client Blaine Adamson secures a unanimous victory at the Kentucky Supreme Court. -
2019
Arizona Supreme Court Issues Huge Win for Artistic Freedom
In Brush & Nib Studio v. City of Phoenix, the Arizona Supreme Court rules that the city of Phoenix cannot use a criminal law to force two artists and ADF clients to design and create custom wedding invitations expressing messages that conflict with their core beliefs. -
2019
Jack Wins Again
The Colorado Civil Rights Commission dismisses its second case against cake artist Jack Phillips in the wake of an ADF lawsuit and newly discovered evidence of the state’s ongoing hostility toward Jack and his faith. -
2018
A Major Win for Free Speech at the U.S. Supreme Court
In a pivotal free speech decision, the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of pro-life pregnancy centers in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra, after a California law forced pro-life pregnancy centers to provide free advertising for the abortion industry. ADF represented NIFLA before the Court. On remand, the lower court officially halted enforcement of the law. -
2018
Jack Wins at the U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court rules 7-2 in favor of Colorado cake artist and ADF client Jack Phillips in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, citing “impermissible hostility” by state officials toward Jack’s religious beliefs. -
2018
Chief Cochran Gets Justice
After a federal district court struck down a City of Atlanta speech policy that cost former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran his job, the city agrees to pay a $1.2 million settlement for violating the ADF client’s constitutional freedoms. -
2018
ADF Ministry Alliance Launched
With a growing number of Christian ministries facing threats to their religious freedom, ADF launches the Ministry Alliance as a companion to the Church Alliance to provide religious freedom legal advice. -
2018
2,000 Law Students Trained
The Blackstone Legal Fellowship surpasses 2,000 Christian law students who have been trained to make a lasting impact for Christ on the law and culture. -
2018
400th Win for the ADF Center for Academic Freedom
The ADF Center for Academic Freedom celebrates its 400th win, protecting freedom on hundreds of American public university campuses. -
2017
A Precedent-Setting Victory for Religious Freedom
In the case of Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Comer, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that the government cannot exclude churches and other faith-based organizations from a government program simply because of their religious identity. ADF represented Trinity Lutheran before the Court. -
2017
ADF Church Alliance Launched
To make it possible for Christian churches of all sizes to access affordable legal advice for their religious freedom needs, ADF launches the ADF Church Alliance. -
2017
New CEO Michael Farris
ADF introduces Michael Farris as the organization’s new President and CEO. Mike assumes this post as the second ADF CEO, following Alan Sears, who served for 23 years. -
2016
A Key Victory for Life and Religious Freedom
In Zubik v. Burwell, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously vacates the ruling against five Christian universities (represented by ADF) and other religious groups challenging the Obamacare abortion-pill mandate, sending the cases back to the lower courts. -
2016
1 Million Pro Bono Hours
ADF Allied Attorneys report their 1 millionth pro bono hour defending religious freedom across the world. -
2016
First Summit on Religious Liberty
One of our flagship training programs, the ADF Summit on Religious Liberty brings together a remarkable group of leaders in law, public policy, media, business, education, and ministry to collaborate on legal and cultural strategies to protect religious liberty around the globe. -
2015
2 Key Victories
Holt v. HobbsIn an ADF-backed case, the U.S. Supreme Court holds that an Arkansas prison policy that prevents a prisoner from growing a half-inch beard in accordance with his religious beliefs violates RLUIPA.Reed v. Town of GilbertThe U.S. Supreme Court rules that the Town of Gilbert’s sign code was facially unconstitutional and that it discriminated against the content of Good News Community Church’s signs when the town’s regulation allowed political, ideological, and homeowner’s association signs to be larger in size and remain up longer than the church’s temporary signs inviting others to its services. ADF represented Clyde Reed, pastor of Good News Community Church, before the Court. -
2014
5 Key Victories for Religious Freedom
Town of Greece v. GallowayThe U.S. Supreme Court rules that Americans are free to pray according to their own beliefs at public meetings. ADF represented Town of Greece before the Court.SBA List v. DriehausIn an ADF-backed case, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds the freedom of Americans to speak in accordance with their views by allowing them to challenge laws that silence them.Lane v. FranksIn another ADF-backed case, the U.S. Supreme Court rules unanimously that the First Amendment protects the speech of public employees outside the workplace on matters of public concern.McCullen v. CoakleyIn a case backed by ADF, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously strikes down a Massachusetts law that creates a 35-foot “buffer zone” restricting pro-life advocates from speaking with people entering abortion facilities.Conestoga Wood Specialties v. BurwellThe U.S. Supreme Court rules against the Obama Administration’s abortion-pill mandate in favor of two family-run businesses, Conestoga Wood Specialties and Hobby Lobby (Burwell v. Hobby Lobby). ADF represented Conestoga Wood Specialties before the Court. -
2012
Advancing For Faith...For Justice
By God’s amazing grace, a brand-new chapter in the 18-year history of this legal ministry begins. Alliance Defense Fund changes name to Alliance Defending Freedom. This new name and tagline more effectively communicate ADF’s mission, strengthen our efforts, and attract like-minded Allied Ministry Friends. -
2011
ADF Challenges ACLU in School Tax-Credit Case
In ACSTO v. Winn, the U.S. Supreme Court affirms the right for parents to choose the best educational option for their children through an Arizona tuition tax credit program. This includes provision of scholarship funds to private Christian schools. The ACLU loses the right to use its “offended taxpayer” strategy to challenge such programs. ADF represented ACSTO before the Court. -
2008
Ministry Publication Launched
ADF launches its new magazine, Faith & Justice (formerly known as Truth & Triumph). -
2007
Victory in "Partial-Birth Abortion" Case
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds the federal ban on so-called “partial-birth abortions” in the ADF-backed case, Gonzales v. Carhart. -
2006
U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Religious Freedom
In less than a month, the Supreme Court issues unanimous decisions affirming religious freedom in four ADF-backed cases. -
2004
Key U.S. Supreme Court Victory
Elk Grove Unified School District v. NewdowIn another ADF-backed case, the U.S. Supreme Court reverses the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision finding that public school recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance violates the Constitution because the pledge includes the words “under God.” -
2003
1,000th Grant Awarded
In less than 10 years since its founding, Alliance Defending Freedom is blessed to award its 1,000th grant to help fund cases that defend religious freedom. -
2001
Equal Access to School Property for Christians
U.S. Supreme Court rules that middle schools must provide equal access to after-school Bible clubs to meet on school property, thanks to precedent set by ADF. -
2000
Blackstone Legal Fellowship Formed
The ADF Blackstone Legal Fellowship development program trains some of the best and brightest Christian law students from across the nation. -
1997
Legal Academy Established
Marking the beginning of the ADF Allied Attorney program, the first-ever ADF Legal Academy trains Christian attorneys in constitutional law so they can provide pro bono, dedicated service to the Body of Christ. -
1995
2 Key Victories for Religious Liberty*
Two ADF-backed U.S. Supreme Court victories set legal precedents for future victories. One affirms the right for organizations to not associate with groups with whom they disagree. The second faults universities for illegally denying funding to student activities by reason of their religious convictions. -
1994
Alliance Defense Fund is launched
January 31, 1994 - Alliance Defense Fund is introduced to the nation at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Washington, D.C. with Alan Sears as president.
* Alliance Defending Freedom has played various roles in 77 U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Those roles include representing parties directly, assisting in amicus efforts, and providing financial assistance.