Wednesday, April 10, 2024

In 1990, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Employment Division v. Smith, a landmark ruling that spoke to the question of when religious believers are exempt from laws that would interfere with their religious practices. Justice Scalia wrote the majority opinion which eliminated such exemptions. Today, thirtyfour years later, there is widespread speculation that the current conservative Court would like to overturn it.

Galen Black, the coplaintiff in Employment Division v. Smith, shared his story with author Joshua Prager whose book The Family Roe was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

This event was presented in partnership with the Supreme Court Forum and our Law Alumni Association.