Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Virginia Drug Laws
Virginia is known for having harsh drug laws. In Virginia, as in many other states, drugs are divided into “schedules,” with the charges and penalties based on which schedule the drugs are in. This article gives a brief overview of Virginia’s drug laws including what schedule each drug is in, and what crimes you… Read More »
Wired Worship: Is Your Church Ready to Make Wi-Fi Available to the Congregation?
The availability of free wireless internet (“Wi-Fi”) is rapidly expanding, with free Wi-Fi available in coffee shops, parks, and libraries. Many churches want to add their campus to the growing list of “hotspots” (locations where free Wi-Fi is available) in the community, as both a friendly gesture to their congregations and as an aid to their ministries. However, before a… Read More »
Is Social Media Helping or Hurting Your Church?
Social media has become the new popular form of communication in the 21st Century. In 2013, 70 percent of churches have a Facebook account and 21 percent use Twitter. The proper use of social media can be a great benefit to your church by providing information to your membership and furthering your involvement in… Read More »
Firm Obtains $98K Jury Award for Race-Based Harassment
Simms Showers attorney Timothy Bosson filed a case in the Loudoun County Circuit Court, seeking recovery for a client who had been subjected to race discrimination and malicious prosecution. A jury awarded damages of over $98,000 after a four-day trial. This case was brought under a little-used Virginia Statute that allows individuals to bring… Read More »
Firm Settles $3 Million Slip and Fall Case
Simms Showers attorney Timothy Bosson filed suit against Food Lion, LLC in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The Firm represented a woman who sustained extensive knee and back injuries due to a slip and fall incident at the grocery store. Simms Showers brought a $3 Million suit and settled for… Read More »
“Today’s Sermon Is Brought to You by…” – Intellectual Property and Ownership
A church recently updated its website. The webmaster has recommended to the leadership to record and upload the weekly worship service, including the sermon, onto the website. The outstanding majority of the deacons agree with the recommendation as it would allow members who are unable to attend services to watch remotely and allow those… Read More »
Church Third Party Use Agreements: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You!
Renting or allowing use of church and ministry facilities has many new added risks: child abuse liability, unwanted purposes (same sex marriages) or activities on premises (illegal or risky), liability that is not covered by insurance or renters’ indemnity, and getting dragged into court by renter/user for some unforeseen offense. The optimum “Church Facilities… Read More »
BREAKING LEGAL NEWS: Hobby Lobby and What It Means for Churches and Nonprofits
The Supreme Court recently delivered a decisive, though limited, victory for religious liberty in its decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court held that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) contraceptive mandate violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a statute that was passed… Read More »
Seventh Circuit to Hear Constitutional Challenge to Ministerial Housing Allowance
Does your organization have ordained ministers? Do you give them a tax-free payment yearly to help with their housing? If so, read more about the upcoming hearing that challenges the constitutionality of this practice, as well as what it means and does not mean for your organization. Later this year, in the case… Read More »
Granting Money from a U.S. Charity or Church to a Foreign Individual or NGO: Substantial Risks and Best Practices
Many times, conducting charitable work necessitates broadening an organization’s reach, which often in turn requires working outside of the United States. Unfortunately, while these endeavors are exciting, they are complicated and risky for the churches and nonprofit organizations who are involved. Of the many types of risks involved, one of the primary areas involves… Read More »
