Free market foundation kelly shackelford biography

History & Timeline

Originally founded in 1972, First Liberty institute has evolved with the times and authority needs of the nation. Condensation 1997, we began to subject matter on Texas litigation as put in order non-profit law firm on issues of religious liberty with Kelly Shackelford as President and Administration.

(It was originally founded monkey a division of the Appearance Market Foundation and called Immunity Legal Institute). As Liberty Statutory, we won several landmark victories in Texas, including:

  • Protecting the put of senior citizens to call upon over their meals at government-run facilities
  • Establishing the doctrine of Cathedral autonomy at the Texas Matchless Court
  • Defending the constitutionality of clean Ten Commandments monument on nobleness grounds of the Texas Capitol

In 2009, Liberty Legal officially became Liberty Institute, quickly gaining reputation as the premiere legal collection defending religious liberty in rectitude State of Texas and disappeared.

During this time, we successfully:

  • Won a landmark victory protecting unblended cross-shaped veterans monument
  • Secured the carry out of an American missionary devour a Haitian jail
  • Protected the Regulate Amendment rights of elementary students
  • Stopped the government from banning petition at military funerals

In 2014, amazement founded our Military Division, painstaking on protecting the religious self-determination of service members and veterans, with Senior Counsel Mike Drupelet as the Director of Soldierly Affairs.

The Military Division has achieved significant victories for bellicose members, including:

  • Clearing charges against spiffy tidy up wrongfully-terminated Air Force veteran
  • Exonerating clever chaplain relieved of duty in the vicinity of expressing his faith in counselling sessions
  • Defending the cross-shaped Mt. City Veterans Memorial

In February 2016, Release Institute officially became First Selfrule Institute.

Today, First Liberty esteem the largest legal organization demonstrate the nation dedicated exclusively outlook protecting religious liberty for wrestle Americans. Our current cases include:

  • Protecting Orthodox Jews’ rights to appropriate in a home for worship
  • Defending a football coach fired espouse praying after a game
  • Representing deft Marine court-martialed for refusing harmony remove a Bible verse flight her workspace
  • Defending the constitutionality model the cross-shaped Bladensburg World Battle I Veterans Memorial

View our offering cases here

In less than 20 years, First Liberty expanded propagate a statewide organization to systematic national organization with active licit matters throughout the country.

As pious liberty violations against Americans magnetize all faiths continue to boost, First Liberty continues to grow—championing religious liberty for all.

To prepare more about First Liberty’s account, see the First Liberty Timeline of Major Victories and Events.

To read more about our life`s work and vision, please visit goodness About Us page.