The Napa Legal Podcast

Napa Legal Institute
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

Listen to Napa Legal's Senior Counsel and Director of Content Frank DeVito discuss key legal and policy updates relevant to faith-based nonprofits with Joseph Clement each week.

  1. 3d ago

    Orthodox Jew Forced to Obtain Permit to Pray in His Home: June 2, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Alexa Kawlewski discuss an 8th Circuit case involving teachers disciplined and fired for refusing the COVID vaccine, an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from an Orthodox Jew whose municipality made him apply for a special use permit to have people come to his house to pray, and a new Tennessee law protecting single-sex spaces for girls and women. In this episode, we discuss:1:11 Amicus curiae brief filed with the 8th Circuit in support of teachers punished for seeking religious exemption to COVID vaccine.14:11 Appeal made to U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Orthodox Jew forced to obtain permit to pray in his home.27:06 Tennessee Governor signs bill protecting women and girls from abuse by biological males in female-only spaces.For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcastThe Napa Legal Podcast, June 2, 2026#freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

    35 min

  2. May 29

    Can Religious Organizations Use Their Land w/o Government Interference? | Guest John Ketcham 5/29/26

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this guest episode, Napa Legal's Senior Counsel Frank DeVito is joined by John Ketcham, Senior Fellow and Director of Cities at the Manhattan Institute. Join them for a discussion of Missionaries of St. John the Baptist v. Frederic, a case pending cert before the U.S. Supreme Court. This case can have major implications in determining whether the complaints of neighbors can overrule the rights of religious organizations to use their land for religious purposes. In this episode, we discuss: 1:44 John's background growing up Catholic in New York City and working at the Manhattan Institute 5:56 Manhattan Institute Amicus Briefs 7:20 Missionaries of St. John the Baptist v. Frederic Amicus Brief with Napa Legal 10:08 Background of the case 14:45 RLUIPA 21:21 What would best case scenario look like? 22:40 What would worst case scenario look like? 24:00 Why should we generally be in favor of development? 28:29 Other projects by John 34:10 Conclusion For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/ For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/th... The Napa Legal Podcast, May 29, 2026 #freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

    35 min

  3. May 27

    Counselor Fined for Refusing to Affirm Same-Sex Relationships During Counseling: May 27, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Alexa Kawlewski discuss an Oregon therapist being fined for answering a client’s question about his beliefs, a Fifth Circuit case challenging an abortion accommodation requirement created by the EEOC, and a land-use lawsuit in the Third Circuit concerning a Catholic Church being denied the approvals to build a shrine. In this episode, we discuss:1:50 Counselor in Oregon Fined for Refusing to Affirm Same-Sex Relationships During Counseling Session. 10:50 Fifth Circuit To Hear Appeal Challenging Federal Abortion Accommodation Regulation. 25:17 Pennsylvania Church Appeals to Third Circuit Over Zoning Decision That Disfavors Religion. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcastThe Napa Legal Podcast, May 27, 2026#freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

    41 min

  4. May 19

    SCOTUS Expands Access to Abortion Pill and Eradicates Basic Safety Requirements | May 19, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain an abortion-related lawsuit at the US Supreme Court and a parental rights lawsuit against a public school district. In this episode, we discuss: 2:11 The US Supreme Court's decision to permit the FDA to drop requirements for in-person doctors' visits before a woman can take an abortion pill. 15:59 A lawsuit from several families in Colorado against their public school district that made their children to share rooms and beds with members of the opposite sex during field trips. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast Topics: Freedom of religion, religious liberty, abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, free exercise, establishment clause, legal updates, Supreme Court, legal podcast, parental rights, substantive due process, Mahmoud, Mirabelli. The Napa Legal Podcast, May 19, 2026. #freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

    29 min

  5. May 14

    Coast Guard Settles in Religious Liberty Lawsuit over COVID-19 Mandate with Guest Nathan Loyd 5/7/26

    In this episode of the Napa Legal Podcast, Frank DeVito is joined by Nathan Loyd, staff counsel at the Thomas More Society and a former active-duty member of the Air Force, to discuss a recent settlement with the US Coast Guard that will protect the religious freedom of servicemembers across the country. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Coast Guard refused to provide religious exemptions from vaccine mandates. Elite servicemembers were denied promotion and cut out of key responsibilities for their religious objections to the mandate. A Class of officers and enlisted coast guardsmen, with the help of attorneys from the Thomas More Society, recently settled a major lawsuit with the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard agreed to follow federal regulations that protect religious liberty in the future. Key Moments: 0:50 Introduction 1:43 Nathan's work at the Thomas More Society 4:07 The basics of the Covid-19 Vaccine mandates in the Coast Guard 5:20 This case - Jackson v. Mullin and the servicemembers who brought it. 10:39 Relevant research on the Covid-19 vaccines 12:07 The legal standard for religious exemptions, particularly in the military. 15:56 Other similar cases and applying the legal standards in other circumstances. 16:55 The outcome of this case - a favorable settlement for the servicemembers. 22:18 Voluntary cessation in civil litigation 28:13 Servicemembers' responses to this settlement 32:25 Why this case is being settled today rather than years ago 37:43 Other parts of Nathan's work - sidewalk counselling and free speech. For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast To learn more about Napa Legal and our work, visit us at our website: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org The Napa Legal Podcast, May 14, 2026

    44 min

  6. May 12

    SCOTUS To Decide Major Abortion Case and More Religious Liberty Disputes: May 12, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain an abortion-related lawsuit at the US Supreme Court, a Church Autonomy claim from a Catholic Church in Indianapolis, and New Mexico's law that cut back data reporting on abortions. In this episode, we discuss: 1:49 A case before the US Supreme Court that will impact pro-life state's attempts to prevent abortion. The FDA dropped requirements for in-person doctor's visits before an abortion pill can be given. That decision was challenged in a lawsuit currently before SCOTUS. 13:17 A Catholic parish decided to demolish a closed Church in order to follow the bishop's understanding of canon law. However, the city of Indianapolis has blocked their decision. In a Church Autonomy and First Amendment dispute, the parish is seeking to have the freedom to decide how to best fulfil their religious obligations. 23:14 New Mexico recently repealed requirements to report the number of abortions performed. While abortion advocates claim the practice is healthcare, it is often regulated with much less oversight than genuine medical practices. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast Topics: Freedom of religion, religious liberty, abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, free exercise, establishment clause, legal updates, Supreme Court, legal podcast. The Napa Legal Podcast, May 12, 2026. #freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

    32 min

  7. May 7

    The First Amendment and Tax Law: Unpacking Constitutional Issues with Tyler Martinez | 5/7/2026

    Do tax laws violate the constitutional rights of religious organizations? In this episode of the Napa Legal Podcast, Frank DeVito is joined by Tyler Martinez, the Director of Litigation at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF), to discuss active lawsuits implicating the Johnson Amendment, and other related tax law issues that impact nonprofit organizations. Key Moments: 0:40 Introduction 1:50 What is the Johnson Amendment, and how does it impact churches and religious organizations? 3:40 Are churches recognized as nonprofits, or is that a status that the government bestows upon them? 5:56 Are there Constitutional issues with the Johnson Amendment? Tyler explains how the law implicates First Amendment rights. 7:15 The basics of a key case National Religious Broadcasters v. Commissioner. 9:54 The latest developments in the case 16:53 A relevant Supreme Court case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, that involved the Affordable Care Act. 19:51 What happens next in this currently active lawsuit challenging the Johnson Amendment? 25:33 The growing problem of legislatures hiding problematic laws in the tax code. For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast To learn more about Napa Legal and our work, visit us at our website: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org The Napa Legal Podcast, May 7, 2026

    29 min

  8. May 5

    Parental Rights, the Abortion Pill, and Donor Privacy at the US Supreme Court | May 5, 2026

    Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain the US Supreme Court's decisions on a donor privacy case and several parental rights cases. Additionally, we explain a recent ruling that could limit mailing the abortion pill, as well as a tax credit for donations for pregnancy resource centers. In this episode, we discuss: 1:49 The US Supreme Court recently decided First Choice v. Platkin. The Court held that New Jersey's AG's attempt to force a pro-life pregnancy resource center to hand over confidential donor information violated their Constitutional rights. 14:12 The US Supreme Court recently declined two major parental rights cases. In March, the Court ruled that parental exclusion policies, which instruct public school staff to lie to parents while affirming a student's new "gender identity" violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. These cases offered the Court an opportunity to further defend parental rights and expand upon its decision in Mirabelli. 21:15 Citing Dobbs v. Jackson, the Fifth Circuit stayed a regulation that removed the requirement in-person doctor's visits before a woman can obtain the abortion pill. The regulation is likely headed to the US Supreme Court. 31:04 South Carolina recently unanimously passed a new tax credit for donations to pregnancy resource centers and centers for victims of human trafficking. Several other states have similar such laws. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast Topics: Religious liberty, religious freedom, Constitutional rights, donor privacy, law and policy, legal updates, abortion pill, pro-life laws, abortion law, US legal system. The Napa Legal Podcast, May 5, 2026. #freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

    34 min
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About

Listen to Napa Legal's Senior Counsel and Director of Content Frank DeVito discuss key legal and policy updates relevant to faith-based nonprofits with Joseph Clement each week.

Information

  • Creator
    Napa Legal Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Napa Legal Institute
  • Show Website
    The Napa Legal Podcast

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