Faith and Justice

Last Friday’s standing-room only hearing before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission was among the most dramatic I’ve witnessed.  There was outrage – outrage not just from me as I declared the State Department “AWOL” in our quest to free an American Pastor, Saeed Abedini — a U.S. citizen — captured by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard…

One of the most important things we can do is keep the story of Pastor Saeed Abedini in the spotlight. This U.S. citizen is facing eight years in a deadly Iranian prison, convicted for his Christian faith. We know that the situation he faces gets worse day by day. He remains cut-off from speaking with…

It’s unlike any judicial system in the world. On Monday, American Pastor Saeed Abedini went to court in Iran with his attorney to address charges of attempting to undermine the Iranian government. The real problem: he converted from Islam to Christianity 13 years ago and started working with house-churches in Iran. Pastor Saeed and his…

An American Pastor is being held in Iran’s most notorious prison – Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen, has been told that he “will hang” because of his Christian faith. And, now the Iranian government has put this case on the fast track – and scheduled a trial that’s just days away. After sustaining painful beatings…

We are on the front lines when it comes to challenging the HHS mandate which requires employers to provide health insurance for employees that include paying for abortion-producing drugs – or face still penalties including significant fines. To date, we have secured injunctions – putting the mandate on hold – for three clients – all…

Some very good news to report. Today we confirmed that a Christian pastor, in custody because of his religious beliefs, has been released from an Iranian prison. You remember the case of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. After spending nearly three years in an Iranian prison, he was released in 2012. But on Christmas day, he was…

When word broke over the holidays that EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson was stepping down, it initially seemed like it was one of those stories where a Cabinet member was stepping down after four years on the job – clearing the way for another appointment for President Obama’s second term. Sure, there was controversy during her…

It’s difficult to believe. The United States government is poised to give Egypt – and the radical Muslim Brotherhood – 20 of our top fighter jets. The cost: more than $200 million in U.S. taxpayer funds. That’s right, we’re using our tax dollars to provide F-16’s, our most sophisticated warplane, to a Sharia dictatorship. Unbelievable.…

The Internet – a global tool in the exchange of information and ideas. Now, the very way that the Internet operates is being threatened by a proposal from Russia – a move that puts the free flow of information and ideas at risk. Russia is pushing for a move that would turn over control of…

We knew it would be an uphill battle at the United Nations. The UN today voted to give the terrorist-led Palestinian Authority (PA) “non-member observer state” status. As we have said from the beginning, such a move is deeply flawed and violates international law. By upgrading the status of this terrorist-led organization, the UN is…

Jay Sekulow
about

Jay Sekulow

Jay Sekulow is Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a law firm and educational organization that focuses on constitutional law. He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ).

Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories.

In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb’s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. In the Bray and Operation Rescue cases, Jay Sekulow protected the free speech rights of pro-life advocates to be free from criminal prosecution for conveying their pro-life message. In McConnell v. FEC, Jay Sekulow protected the right of young people to engage in the political process by donating to the campaign of their choice. In Pleasant Grove, Jay Sekulow paved the way for governments to be able to display Ten Commandments monuments, and other monuments of their choosing, in public parks.

Through the ACLJ, Jay Sekulow engages the political, legal, and cultural battles facing America today. He routinely works with Members of Congress, advising them on proposed legislation and representing them in critical legal matters. Jay Sekulow has also testified before Congress on the constitutionality of proposed legislation.

Also, in addition to being a successful Supreme Court advocate, Jay Sekulow is a highly respected broadcaster. Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ’s weekly television program.

Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles.

Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of “The 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years” and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the “100 Most Influential Lawyers” in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the "25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in America.

Jay Sekulow’s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, "Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda."

Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea.

Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor’s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C.

Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video.
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