Jonathan Robert Nelson

May 17, 2024 | New York Law Journal

The nuanced, often complex, relationship between church associations and their local church affiliates is best understood through the prism of Supreme Court decisions dating back as far as the 1800s.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

9 minute read

March 03, 2023 | New York Law Journal

Religious institutions all too often have bylaws that are out-of-date or poorly drafted. For the many reasons discussed below, the authors believe that should change.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

8 minute read

August 26, 2021 | New York Law Journal

After a string of favorable religious liberty rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court, religious institutions and people of faith are casting a hopeful eye on the Court's upcoming docket. Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson explore the cases in this installment of their Religion Law column.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

8 minute read

August 28, 2020 | New York Law Journal

In their Religion Law column, Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson discuss three significant decisions issued by the U.S. Supreme Court at the end of its term, which should make clear that the Court strongly supports the expansion of religious liberty in America today.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

10 minute read

November 21, 2019 | New York Law Journal

Religious leaders typically are aware of the tax exemption provided by state law for the homes their congregations provide to their clergy. But another exemption may be even more significant.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

10 minute read

August 29, 2019 | New York Law Journal

There is much confusion—including in some New York courts—about when a judge may resolve a disagreement between a local church and its governing body. In their Religion Law column, Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson review the law and suggests steps that can help limit litigation in these situations.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

10 minute read

May 30, 2019 | New York Law Journal

New York law prohibits trustees of religious congregations from hiring and firing clergy. The power to do so resides with the membership itself.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

8 minute read

October 31, 2018 | New York Law Journal

In New York, the role of trustees of religious institutions is somewhat different from the role trustees play when governing for-profit corporations. Religion Law columnists Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson explore.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

9 minute read

August 29, 2018 | New York Law Journal

In Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson's Religion Law column, the pair writes that there are limits to what employers must do to accommodate employees' bona fide religious beliefs.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

10 minute read

February 28, 2018 | New York Law Journal

In their Religion Law column, Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson discuss RCL §12 which provides that a religious corporation may not sell or mortgage any of its real property, or lease any of its real property for a term greater than five years, without applying for and obtaining approval of a court or the attorney general. They advise that failure to keep in mind the requirements of RCL §12 can upset a transaction, even after it has seemingly been completed.

By Barry Black and Jonathan Robert Nelson

9 minute read