Committed to Justice
Defending Freedom Since 2000
We exist to defend what matters most—faith, family, and freedom. Our team is passionate about standing beside individuals and organizations when their rights are threatened, offering trusted guidance and steadfast advocacy rooted in principle.
Years of Combined Legal Experience
Delivering trusted expertise and proven results across a wide range of cases.
Clients Served
With a reputation for trusted guidance, proven results, and unwavering commitment.
Supreme Court Victories
Trusted to advocate before the Supreme Court, and trusted by our clients every day.
Our Story
Advocates for Faith and Freedom was founded in 2005 by a group of individuals who are passionate about preserving religious liberty in the legal system. Our Board of Directors consists of a number of successful Christian businesspersons and church leaders, as well as members of the Advocates legal team. With help from our Advisory Board and marketing consultants, our ministry has been able to increase its impact in both the American legal system and the national media.
Since 1995, Robert Tyler has worked in the realm of constitutional law. He labored in both private practices and a large organization, but he developed a vision along the way to begin his own nonprofit legal organization.
Advocates for Faith and Freedom’s purpose from its founding has been to serve as a nonprofit legal ministry dedicated to protecting religious liberty in the courts. This firm subsequently engages in cases that deal with important religious liberty issues that deserve to be heard by our nation. Our attorneys and staff are dedicated to the mission of the organization, regularly teaming up with allied attorneys nationwide to achieve this mission.
Real Impact
Advocates has taken on high profile cases (many of which have gone as far as the U.S. and California Supreme Courts or Federal Appellate Courts) seeking to protect our First Amendment constitutional guarantees, such as freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion. Some examples of these important cases are the following:
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The Scharpen Foundation v. Kamala Harris
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Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship v. Riverside County
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Farnan vs. Capistrano Valley School District
Advocates is a growing legal organization that is quickly emerging as a leading defender of constitutional liberties. Our strategy is to expand our staff and legal team in order to continue our work in the courts nationwide. Your partnership in protecting religious liberties in the courts is vital and we are grateful to all who have chosen to partner with Advocates.
Where We Stand
We believe that every person deserves the right to live, speak, and worship freely. Our mission is to ensure those rights are not only protected, but upheld for generations to come.
Religious Freedom
The Free Exercise Clause protects religious practice and conscience from government interference. Despite constitutional guarantees, freedoms face growing attacks through censorship, workplace discrimination, and restrictions. Advocates defends your right to live out faith in every sphere of life.
Free Speech
Parental Rights
Church & State
Election Integrity
Religious Land Use
Our Team
Robert Tyler
President and Chief Counsel
Joel Oster
Vice President and Chief of Trial Litigation
Erin Mersino
Vice President and Chief of Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation
Julianne Fleischer
Senior Legal Counsel
Bethany Onishenko
Senior Legal Counsel
Sam Kane
Senior Legal Counsel
Nicolai Cocis
of Counsel
Deborah Dewart
of Counsel
Eunice Ghita
Law Clerk
Jessica Tapia
Public Relations Advocate
Nicole Velasco
Director of Communications
Susan Kenney
Director of Operations
Shelly Padilla
Paralegal
Cases
Santa Clara County Employees Sue for Religious Discrimination Over Vaccine Mandate
Santa Clara County sued on behalf of 33 employees placed on unpaid leave for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine due to their religious beliefs.
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Targeted for Speaking Truth: Brave Female Student Athletes Challenge Woke Policies
Two female high school athletes take a stand for fair competition in girls’ sports and free speech rights, challenging policies that undermine biological standards and restrict expression.
Church Rejected for Being A Church
In November 2022, lease talks between The Pines Church and the Hermon School Committee collapsed after the Committee asked irrelevant and unequal questions about the church’s religious beliefs, which the church alleges violated state law and the First Amendment.
Christian Prison Ministry Sued…for Being Christian
Advocates is representing Prison Ministry of America (PMA), a non-profit Christian organization, who is being sued by a Muslim religious leader.
Santa Clara County Employees Sue for Religious Discrimination Over Vaccine Mandate
Santa Clara County sued on behalf of 33 employees placed on unpaid leave for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine due to their religious beliefs.
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Targeted for Speaking Truth: Brave Female Student Athletes Challenge Woke Policies
Two female high school athletes take a stand for fair competition in girls’ sports and free speech rights, challenging policies that undermine biological standards and restrict expression.