UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin analyzes a pending U.S. Supreme Court case in which the State of Oklahoma is challenging the approval of a publicly funded Catholic charter school, arguing that it violates both state and federal constitutional prohibitions against the establishment of religion. Professor Griffin contends that allowing a religious school to operate as a public charter institution would erode the Establishment Clause, disproportionately empower a single faith, and undermine the neutrality and inclusivity foundational to public education.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses a bankruptcy court decision in In re: The Roman Catholic Bishop of Sacramento, in which Judge Christopher Klein ruled that survivors of clergy sexual abuse could address the court despite objections from the church’s insurers. Professor Griffin argues that while bankruptcy is often used to delay and minimize liability for abuse claims, Judge Klein’s ruling affirms that all courts can and should provide survivors with a platform to be heard, acknowledging the profound human and psychological impact of their experiences.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses the long history of child sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church and the role of various popes in either ignoring or covering up allegations against clergy, drawing from investigative journalist Philip Shenon’s book on the topic. Professor Griffin argues that successive popes—Pius XII through Francis—failed to take meaningful action against abusers, instead prioritizing the protection of the Church’s reputation, and she suggests that the election of the next pope will determine whether real change ever occurs.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses a recent Maine Supreme Judicial Court decision where the majority struck down legislation purporting to extend the statute of limitations for sexual abuse cases, focusing on distinctions between vested rights and remedies. Professor Griffin argues that the dissenting justices correctly pointed out that the legislature’s extension aimed to address the unique nature of sexual abuse disclosure, challenging the notion of vested rights and emphasizing that there is no inherent right to avoid legal consequences for past wrongs.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses recent court decisions in South Carolina and Massachusetts regarding whether churches can claim charitable immunity to avoid liability in sexual abuse cases. Professor Griffin argues that charitable immunity should never protect churches from sexual abuse liability—whether for intentional torts or negligence—because sexual abuse is inherently not charitable, and allowing such immunity unjustly harms abuse survivors.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin chronicles the six-decade history of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker in New Orleans, including his recent guilty plea and death in December 2024. Professor Griffin argues that Hecker’s ability to continue abusing children for so long was enabled by a systematic pattern of protection and cover-ups by church officials and sympathetic judges, who consistently prioritized Hecker’s interests over those of his victims until overwhelming evidence finally forced a conviction just weeks before his death.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin revisits the “October Surprise,” a theory alleging that the Reagan/Bush campaign in 1980 covertly negotiated with Iran to delay the release of American hostages until after Ronald Reagan’s election, thereby undermining President Jimmy Carter’s re-election efforts. Professor Griffin, reflecting on Craig Unger’s
In this second part of a discussion of the Catholic sexual abuse in New Jersey, UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin delves deeper into the history of sexual abuse cases against the Catholic Church in New Jersey, focusing on earlier cases, the impact of charitable immunity laws, and recent legal developments including bankruptcy filings and ongoing lawsuits. Professor Griffin highlights the complexities of these cases, including issues of jurisdiction, insurance disputes, and the ongoing struggle for justice, while also noting the significant financial settlements made by the Church and the continuing efforts of survivors and their lawyers to hold the institution accountable for past abuses.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses the history and current state of sexual abuse cases against the Catholic Church in New Jersey, focusing on high-profile cases like that of former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and the impact of recent legislative changes extending the statute of limitations for abuse claims. Professor Griffin details the numerous lawsuits filed during a two-year “lookback window,” the church’s efforts to compensate victims outside of court, and the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability, highlighting the widespread nature of the abuse and the challenges faced by survivors in seeking redress.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses a recent Louisiana Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of the state legislature’s decision to extend the statute of limitations for sexual abuse survivors to sue their abusers. Professor Griffin argues that this ruling correctly prioritized the rights of abuse survivors over the property rights of defendants, and that it represents an important victory for victims seeking justice, although uncertainty remains regarding the impact of the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ bankruptcy filing on survivors’ ability to have their day in court.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin discusses the concept of “cafeteria Catholicism,” where some Catholic politicians, such as President Joe Biden, follow certain elements of their faith while diverging from church teachings on other issues, such as, in Biden’s case, abortion rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and contraception. Professor Griffin argues that cafeteria Catholicism is a good thing, as it allows Catholic politicians to govern based on a pluralistic consensus that protects everyone’s rights and freedoms, rather than imposing specific Catholic doctrines on the entire population.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin recounts her experience reading At the ALTAR of the Appellate Gods: Arguing before the US Supreme Court by Lisa Sarnoff Gochman. Amidst a tragic backdrop of recent violence at UNLV, Professor Griffin reflects on Gochman’s book, which provides a human perspective on appellate law through her experience arguing in the notable Supreme Court case, Apprendi v. New Jersey. As Professor Griffin describes, Gochman’s narrative highlights the challenges and intricacies of presenting a case before the Supreme Court, offering insights into the legal process and the personal journey of an appellate lawyer.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin explores the nuanced and multifaceted influences behind the U.S. decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki instead of Kyoto during World War II. Drawing upon the speculated influence of Secretary of War Henry Stimson’s personal connection to Kyoto and weather conditions affecting bombing success, Professor Griffin emphasizes the complex interplay between personal morality, strategic considerations, and even uncontrollable factors like the weather in shaping historical outcomes.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin comments on the recently released report about abuse in the six Roman Catholic Illinois Dioceses. Professor Griffin points out several ways in which the report prioritizes the survivors—a welcome contrast to others who have prioritized the abusers at the expense of the survivors.
Penn professor Marci Hamilton and UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin explain how six conservative Catholics were able to be on the U.S. Supreme Court at the same time. Professors Hamilton and Griffin describe how 1970s and 1980s laid the groundwork for today’s conservative Catholic Court and argue that this group is making extraordinary progress toward making the United States a Catholic theocracy.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin comments on the Attorney General’s Report on Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Professor Griffin explains why statute of limitations reform is so important for victims to obtain justice.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin comments on Mary Jo McConahay’s new book, Playing God: American Catholic Bishops and the Far Right, which describes how U.S. Catholic bishops have successfully implemented far-right policies at all levels of U.S. government, despite views that differ radically from the head of the Church, Pope Francis. Professor Griffin summarizes McConahay’s telling of how Catholic bishops have pushed their agenda into law and encourages readers interested in this history to read Playing God.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin comments on a recently published book by Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick explaining the magic that women bring to law and the courts. Professor Griffin reviews Lithwick’s stories about extraordinary women and relates some of her own, as well.
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin comments on three recent cases involving lawsuits against religious employers by former employees. Professor Griffin explains the facts and outcomes of each case and argues that the expansive ministerial exception doctrine permits employers to discriminate at will simply by labeling employees as “ministers.”
UNLV Boyd School of Law professor Leslie C. Griffin comments on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, in which the Court allowed a public-school football coach to lead players in his public Christian prayer. Professor Griffin argues that the decision effectively deletes the Establishment Clause from the Constitution and elevates the free exercise rights of a few individuals.