Amicus Briefs
The AHLC regularly files amicus curiae ("friend of the court") briefs in pivotal state and federal cases, including in the U.S. Supreme Court. Through these briefs, we provide the judiciary with critical humanistic perspectives and expert legal analysis, directly influencing the outcomes of landmark cases concerning religious freedom, marriage equality, reproductive health access, civil rights, and other fundamental issues.
2025
Eric McCutchan et al. v. Mary Louise Nicholson et al. (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit)
Case No. 25-10890
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Neither Party, Supporting Reversal with Limited Remand (filed 10/06/2025)
2024
Idaho v. United States & Moyle v. United States (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case Nos. 23-726 and 23-727
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondent (filed 4/24/2024)
Press Release
April 24, 2024
American Humanists Demand SCOTUS Protect Emergency Abortion Access
2023
Biden et al. v. Nebraska et al. (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case Nos. 22-506 and 22-535
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Petitioners (filed 1/11/2023)
2022
303 Creative LLC v. Elenis et al. (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 21-476
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondents (filed 9/18/2022)
Cameron v. EMW Women’s Surgical Center (in the Supreme Court of Kentucky)
Case No. 2022-SC-0329
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellees (filed 10/26/2022)
2021
Ramirez v. Collier et al (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 21-5592
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Neither Party (filed 9/7/2021)
Press Release
September 27, 2021
Humanists Call On Supreme Court to Uphold Constitutional Rights of Condemned TX Inmate
Dobbs v. Jackson et al. (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 19-1392
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondents (filed 09/20/2021)
Press Release
September 20, 2021
Humanists Urge Supreme Court to Protect Reproductive Rights in Mississippi Abortion Case
Carson. v. Makin (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 20-1088
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondent (filed 10/29/2021)
Press Release
October 29, 2021
Humanists Tell SCOTUS Taxpayer Money Cannot Be Used To Fund Religious Schools
2020
Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case Nos. 19-267 & 19-348
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondents (filed 3/11/2020)
Press Release
March 11, 2020
Humanists Urge Supreme Court To Rule Against Religious Discrimination
Fulton et al. v. City of Philadelphia et al. (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 19-123
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondents (filed 8/20/2020)
Press Release
August 20, 2020
Humanists Implore Supreme Court to Reject Religious Favoritism in Adoption Case
Uzuegbunam et al. v. Preczewski et al (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 19-968
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Petitioners (filed 9/29/2020)
Press Release
September 29, 2020
Religious Rivals Unite to Implore SCOTUS to Preserve First Amendment Rights
2019
Harold Shurtleff, et al. v. City of Boston, et al. (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit)
Case No. 18-1898
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellees and Affirmance (filed 3/11/2019)
Press Release
March 11, 2019
Humanists Continue to Challenge Christian Symbols on Government Property in New Filing
Brian Fields, et al. v. Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, et al. (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit)
Case Nos. 18-2974, 18-3167
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellees Brian Fields, et al. (filed 3/01/2019)
Press Release
March 1, 2019
Nonreligious Assert Religious Freedom in Invocations at PA House of Representatives
2018
Daniel Barker v. Patrick Conroy, et al. (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit)
Case No. 17-5278
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Petitioners (Daniel Barker) (filed 5/21/2018)
Press Release
May 21, 2018
Humanists File Brief in Congressional Invocation Appeal Case
David Williamson et al. v. Brevard County (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit)
Case No. 17-15769
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellees-Cross Appellants (David Williamson, et al) (filed 4/24/2018)
Press Release
April 24, 2018
Humanists File Brief in Florida Invocation Case
2017
Masterpiece Cakeshop, et al. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, et al. (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 16-111
Amicus Brief in Support of Respondents (filed 10/30/2017)
Press Release
June 4, 2018
Humanists Disheartened by Masterpiece Cakeshop Decision
2016
Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia v. Pauley (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 15-577
Amicus Brief in Support of Respondent Pauley (filed 07/05/2016)
Press Release
July 6, 2016
Missouri Funds Shouldnt Go to Church Preschool, AHA Tells US Supreme Court
2015
Nancy Lund et al. v. Rowan County (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit)
Case No. 15-1591
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Appellees (filed 10/07/2015)
Press Release
October 8, 2015
Rowan County Commissioners Must Cease Christian Prayers, Demands Humanist Group
2014
Kathleen Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby, Inc. (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case Nos. Nos. 13-354, 13-356
Amicus Brief in Support of the Government (filed 01/28/2014)
Press Release
January 29, 2014
2013
JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Governor of the State of Colorado v. FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION, et al.
Case No. 12SC442
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondents (Freedom From Religion Foundation, et al.) (filed 11/7/2013)
Press Release
November 7, 2013
Colorado Day of Prayer Opposed in American Humanist Association Amicus Brief Filing
2012
John Freshwater v. Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education (in the Supreme Court of Ohio)
Case No. 2012-0613
Amicus Brief in Support of Appellee (Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education) (filed 09/03/2012)
Press Release
October 5, 2012
American Humanist Association Files Amicus Brief Against Teacher Who Taught Creationism
2011
HOSANNA-TABOR EVANGELICAL LUTHERANCHURCH AND SCHOOL , v. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, et al (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 10-553
Amicus Brief in Support of Respondents (EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION, et al) (filed 08/03/2011)
Press Release
August 8, 2011
Robert Moss, et al., v. SPARTANBURG COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 7 (in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit)
Case No. 11-1448
Amicus Brief in Support of Appellant Seeking Reversal (filed 06/30/2011)
Press Release
July 1, 2011
Humanists File Amicus Brief Opposing Public School Credit for Religious Classes
2010
CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY CHAPTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, HASTINGS COLLEGE OF THE LAW v. LEO P. MARTINEZ, et al (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 08-1371
Amicus Brief in Support of Respondents (filed March 15, 2010)
Press Release
March 17, 2010
The American Humanist Association files Amicus Brief in Christian Legal Society v. Martinez
2009
KEN L. SALAZAR, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, ET AL., v. FRANK BUONO (in the Supreme Court of the United States)
Case No. 08-472
Amicus Curiae Brief in Support of Respondent (Frank Buono) (filed 07/31/2009)
Press Release
July 31, 2009
American Humanist Association Files Brief in Salazar v Buono