Author Bios & Archives

Jay Sekulow

Total Number of Posts: 114

First Posted: August 12, 2008
Latest Post: November 6, 2009

Jay Alan 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 Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ).

Jay Sekulow has also served as a faculty member for the Office of Legal Education at the United States Department of Justice.  As a member of the faculty he instructed Assistant United States Attorneys and investigators in the First Amendment issues associated with prosecution of obscenity.

An accomplished and respected judicial advocate, Sekulow has presented oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court in numerous cases in defense of constitutional freedoms.

Several landmark cases argued by Sekulow before the U.S. Supreme Court have become part of the legal landscape in the area of religious liberty litigation.  In the Mergens case, Sekulow cleared the way for public school students to form Bible clubs and religious organizations on their school campuses.  In the Lamb's Chapel case, Sekulow defended the free speech rights of religious groups, ensuring that they be treated equally with respect to the use of public facilities.  And, most recently, in McConnell v. FEC, Sekulow ensured that the constitutional rights of young people remain protected with a unanimous decision by the high court guaranteeing that minors can participate in political campaigns.

A nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Sekulow has assembled one of the most prestigious law firms in the nation.  Founded in 1990, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses in constitutional law.  The ACLJ, under Sekulow's direction, is involved in public interest and public policy issues working to protect religious and constitutional liberties.

In 2007, the Chicago Tribune concluded that the ACLJ has "led the way" in Christian legal advocacy.  In 2005, TIME Magazine named Sekulow one of the "25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in America and called the ACLJ "a powerful counterweight" to the ACLU.  Business Week said the ACLJ is "the leading advocacy group for religious freedom."  Sekulow's work on the issue of judicial nominees - including possible vacancies at the Supreme Court - has received extensive news coverage including a front page story in The Wall Street Journal.  In addition, The National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers" in the United States (1994, 1997).  He is also among a distinguished group of attorneys known as "The Public Sector 45" named by The American Lawyer (January/February 1997).  The magazine said the designation represents "45 young lawyers outside the private sector whose vision and commitment are changing lives."

Sekulow brings insight and education to listeners daily with his national call-in radio program, Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcast throughout the country on nearly 850 radio stations.  Sekulow also hosts a weekly television program, ACLJ This Week, which tackles the tough issues of the day and is broadcast on a number of networks nationwide including the Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet.  Sekulow is also a popular guest on nationally televised news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and PBS.  He frequently contributes articles and commentary to national publications and is often quoted in the nation's leading newspapers including USA Today, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Washington Times.

A graduate of Mercer University, Sekulow graduated cum laude receiving both a bachelor's degree and doctor of jurisprudence from Mercer University where he served on the Mercer Law Review as an editorial staff member.  Following graduation, Sekulow served as a tax trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service.  In that capacity, Sekulow prepared and brought to trial tax cases on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury in United States Tax Court.

He also received a Ph.D. from Regent University, with a dissertation on American Legal History, and is the author of numerous publications and law articles.

Sekulow serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, DC.

» All Posts by Jay Sekulow

Rev. Barry W. Lynn

Total Number of Posts: 119

First Posted: August 12, 2008
Latest Post: November 2, 2009

Since 1992, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn has served as executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to the preservation of the Constitution's religious liberty provisions (www.au.org).

In addition to his work as a long-time activist and lawyer in the civil liberties field, Lynn is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, offering him a unique perspective on church-state issues.

An accomplished speaker and lecturer, Lynn has appeared frequently on television and radio broadcasts to offer analysis of First Amendment issues. News programs on which Lynn has appeared include PBS's "NewsHour," NBC's "Today Show," Fox News Channel's "O'Reilly Factor," ABC's "Nightline," CNN's "Crossfire," CBS's "60 Minutes," MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," ABC's "Good Morning America," CNN's "Larry King Live" and the national nightly news on NBC, ABC and CBS.

On the radio, Lynn serves as host of "Culture Shocks," a daily look at various issues affecting society and the culture. In the 1990s he served for two years as regular co-host of "Pat Buchanan and Company" and after that did a weekly syndicated radio program, "Review of the News," with Col. Oliver North. Lynn is a regular guest on nationally broadcast radio programs, including National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," "Morning Edition" and "Talk of the Nation," as well as having appeared on national networks such as CBS Radio, CNN Radio, ABC Radio and AP Radio.

Lynn began his professional career working at the national office of the United Church of Christ, including a two-year stint as legislative counsel for the Church's Office of Church in Society in Washington, D.C. From 1984 to 1991 he was legislative counsel for the Washington office of the American Civil Liberties Union.

In 2006, Lynn authored Piety & Politics: The Right-Wing Assault On Religious Freedom (Harmony Books). In 2008 he coauthored (with C. Welton Gaddy) First Freedom First: A Citizen's Guide to Protecting Religious Liberty and the Separation of Church and State (Beacon Press).

Lynn writes frequently on religious liberty issues, and has had essays published in outlets such as USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Nation. Lynn also has op-eds published frequently by the McClatchy and Scripps-Howard newspaper chains.

A member of the Washington, D.C. and U.S. Supreme Court bar, Lynn earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1978. In addition, he received his theology degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1973.

Lynn, who was born in Harrisburg, Pa., and raised in Bethlehem, Pa., lives in Chevy Chase, Md., with his family.

» All Posts by Rev. Barry W. Lynn