James R. LaytonJim Layton, who heads Tueth Keeney’s Appellate Practice Group, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on April 19, 2017. Layton represented the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in Trinity Lutheran Church v. Comer, a case challenging a provision of Missouri’s constitution that bars money from the “public treasury” from being given to churches. It was Layton’s fourth argument before the Court.
The case received national attention, both because of the important federalism and First Amendment issues it presents, and because it was the first high-profile case to be heard since Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the Court. Among those who wrote about the argument were:
National Public Radio
The Washington Examiner
Scotusblog.com
The Washington Post
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jim is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Labor, and Education groups. He assists clients with analysis and presentation of complex legal issues in Missouri and federal courts, both trial and appellate. In addition to handling cases himself and with other attorneys at Tueth Keeney, Jim consults with clients on appellate strategy and assists other counsel in high-stakes, complex appeals.
Jim has briefed and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and before all Missouri appellate courts””including more than 90 cases before the Missouri Supreme Court. He has represented clients in U.S. district courts and in Missouri circuit courts from Jackson County to the City of St. Louis. He has extensive experience with government-related litigation and state taxation disputes. Jim is a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a past president of the Bar Association of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and a past chair of the American Bar Association’s Council of Appellate Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker in the areas of appellate practice and constitutional law, both state and federal.