N.D. Ga.: Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine bars court from deciding “representative status” in Bishop’s suit seeking indemnification of legal fees

N.D. Ga.: Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine bars court from deciding “representative status” in Bishop’s suit seeking indemnification of legal fees. The Church Litigation Update covers the case, Kawimbe v African Methodist Episcopal Church, Inc., Opinion and Order (N.D. Ga. Aug. 27, 2021), here. You can read the decision here.

“Preparing for In-Person Religious Services: Legal Updates and Best Practices”

“Preparing for In-Person Religious Services: Legal Updates and Best Practices” Wagenmaker Law has an overview of several issues related to returning to in-person worship here.

“Preparing for In-Person Religious Services: Legal Updates and Best Practices”

“Preparing for In-Person Religious Services: Legal Updates and Best Practices” Wagenmaker Law has an overview of several issues related to returning to in-person worship here.

FREE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: “Navigating Critical Legal Issues in the COVID-19 Crisis”

FREE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: “Navigating Critical Legal Issues in the COVID-19 Crisis” ECFA hosted an excellent webinar covering new and old federal employment protections, federal aid programs, contract implications, and potential insurance coverage related to COVID-19. Access the recording, including presentation slides, with a free registration here.

Continue reading “FREE ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: “Navigating Critical Legal Issues in the COVID-19 Crisis””

Ind. Ct. App.: Former pastor entitled to settlement amount, attorney fees; no First Amendment bar to court resolution

Ind. Ct. App.: Former pastor entitled to settlement amount, attorney fees; no First Amendment bar to court resolution. In Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and Second Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Inc. v. Kevin P. Grimes, Sr., No. 18A-PL-2346 (Ind. Ct. App. Aug. 26, 2019), the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court’s enforcement of a settlement agreement arising from a salary dispute between a Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, one of its districts, one of its congregations and the congregation’s former pastor.

Continue reading “Ind. Ct. App.: Former pastor entitled to settlement amount, attorney fees; no First Amendment bar to court resolution”

Ill. App. Ct.: Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine bars challenge to denial of rental of Catholic Community Center

Ill. App. Ct.: Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine bars challenge to denial of rental of Catholic Community Center. Religion Clause covers Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Community Center Building Board v. St. Thomas Syromalabar Diocese of Chicago,  No. 2-18-0792 (Ill. App. Ct., May 30, 2019), here.

 

1735 Authority to enter contracts

[podcast src=”https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5686206/height/90/width/450/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/c30000/” height=”90″ width=”450″]How do you know whether a representative has the authority to enter into an agreement on behalf of an organization? In short, the governing documents and resolutions of the board of directors can authorize a representative. But many organizations are not careful with following these formalities. Josh discusses what can go wrong when they don’t, using the case discussed in this post as an example.

Continue reading “1735 Authority to enter contracts”

N.Y. Sup. Ct.: $1 million religious arbitration award vacated due to lack of authority of synagogue officer who signed arbitration agreement

N.Y. Sup. Ct.: $1 million religious arbitration award vacated due to lack of authority of synagogue officer who signed arbitration agreement. The person who signed an arbitration agreement between a New York synagogue and Kars4Kids held himself out as the synagogue’s president but lacked authority to sign. The trial court vacated the arbitration award on that basis. Religion Clause reports on Matter of Young Israel of Eltingville, Inc. v Oorah, Inc., (N.Y. Sup. Ct.., June 30, 2017) here.