The Problem
This year's problem will deal with issues regarding the employment decisions of religious groups in relation to state civil rights laws. The competition issues will center on the "ministerial exception" to employment discrimination laws, and free exercise issues relating to sexual orientation discrimination laws.
The problem has been released to competitors. If you are a competitor and have not received it, please contact us. The problem will be posted here on Wednesday, November 19, 2008.
Previous Problems
2008
The 2008 problem is available for download here. The problem focuses on current controversies involving the military chaplaincy and implicating the Religion Clauses and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
2007
The competition focused on a current controversy involving the rights of religiously oriented student organizations at state affiliated law schools. The problem had a state law school de-recognizing a religious student group because of alleged violations of a university policy that prohibits both religious and sexual orientation discrimination. The key issue was on what grounds a University may refuse to charter such a religiously affiliated group, and what effect, if any, a federal statute that heightens the standard of review in these cases (similar to a RFRA or RLUIPA) would have.