The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
A Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit public-interest law firm that litigates and advocates for religious liberty and the free expression of people of all faiths.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Becket, formally known as the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, is a nonprofit public-interest law firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. It focuses on religious-liberty litigation, policy advocacy, public education, and media work. Its stated mission is to protect the free expression of all faiths, and the organization presents itself as a defender of religious communities and individuals across a wide range of traditions rather than as counsel for only one denomination. Its work has included cases involving Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Native American, and other religious claimants, as well as disputes concerning prisoners, schools, houses of worship, religious charities, universities, employers, and land use. The organization was founded in 1994 by Kevin J. Hasson, a lawyer who had worked in the Reagan administration’s Justice Department and later at Williams & Connolly. Hasson named the organization after Thomas Becket, the medieval Archbishop of Canterbury whose conflict with King Henry II and subsequent martyrdom became associated with resistance in defense of the church. The organization became known for combining courtroom litigation with broader communications and educational efforts. Its legal philosophy generally favors accommodation of religious practice within public institutions and opposition to government policies that, in its view, place substantial burdens on religious exercise. Becket has been involved in litigation under the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, and related constitutional and statutory protections. Its Supreme Court docket has included Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC, Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., Holt v. Hobbs, Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania, Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, and Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin. The organization states that it won thirteen consecutive U.S. Supreme Court cases beginning in 2012; the cited cases include disputes over ministerial employment, contraceptive-coverage requirements, prisoner grooming and religious diet, foster-care contracting, religious-school employment, and tax treatment of religious charities. The firm’s practice extends beyond the Supreme Court. It has litigated religious land-use disputes, access to kosher food for incarcerated people, mosque and school controversies, military chaplain rights, public displays and symbols, and the protection of sacred Indigenous places. It has also represented clients before the European Court of Human Rights and assisted with matters outside the United States. Although Becket commonly represents parties asserting free-exercise claims against government action, it has also taken positions opposing some religious-liberty challenges, including litigation concerning Indiana abortion restrictions. Leadership has changed over time. Hasson stepped down as president in 2011. William P. Mumma subsequently served as president and chairman of the board, while Kristina Arriaga, a longtime Becket lawyer and former executive director, became a senior board adviser. Montse Alvarado succeeded Arriaga as executive director in 2017. Mark Rienzi is identified in the supplied reference material as Becket’s president and chief executive officer. The organization operates as a nonprofit and has reported work across litigation, communications, education, and international religious-liberty advocacy.
History
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty was established in 1994 by Kevin J. Hasson, a lawyer with experience in the Reagan administration’s Justice Department and later Williams & Connolly. Hasson had gained public attention through his defense of Catholic University’s decision to dismiss theologian Charles Curran after Curran opposed Catholic doctrine. He named the organization for Thomas Becket, the twelfth-century Archbishop of Canterbury who was killed after a prolonged conflict with King Henry II and later became a martyr associated with ecclesiastical independence. From its Washington, D.C. base, Becket developed into a nonprofit public-interest law firm concentrating on religious-liberty litigation and advocacy. The organization has described its mission as protecting the free expression of all faiths. Its cases have involved institutional autonomy, religious accommodation, religious land use, prison conditions, public education, military chaplains, religious charities, and sacred sites. The firm has represented clients from multiple religious traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Native American communities. Becket’s litigation profile expanded significantly through federal appellate and Supreme Court work. It brought or participated in cases under the First Amendment, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. In Rigdon v. Perry, it helped establish protections for military chaplains following the directives of their religious authorities. It also represented prisoners seeking kosher food, including in Moussazadeh v. Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and defended a Tennessee mosque whose use of its building had been blocked amid terrorism-related allegations. The firm’s Supreme Court work since 2012 has included Hosanna-Tabor, Hobby Lobby, Holt v. Hobbs, the consolidated contraceptive-mandate litigation, the Little Sisters of the Poor and Our Lady of Guadalupe cases, Fulton, and Catholic Charities Bureau. These matters addressed the ministerial exception, employer objections to contraceptive coverage, Muslim prisoners’ grooming rights, religious-school employment, foster-care contracting, and tax exemptions for religious charities. Becket describes its record in thirteen consecutive Supreme Court cases beginning in 2012 as undefeated. The organization has also handled disputes over religious symbols and public institutions. It represented parties defending the wording of the Pledge of Allegiance, represented Lehigh County in litigation over a cross on its seal and flag, and pursued religious land-use claims across the United States. In the Lehigh County matter, a federal district court initially found the cross unconstitutional, but the Third Circuit later upheld its continued presence after considering the Supreme Court’s decision in American Legion v. American Humanist Association. More recent work has included representation of Yeshiva University in litigation over recognition of an LGBTQ student group and representation of Apache Stronghold in opposition to the proposed Resolution Copper mine at Oak Flat. Becket has argued that destruction of the Apache worship site would substantially burden religious exercise. It has also participated in international matters, including representation of Muslim clients before the European Court of Human Rights and assistance with litigation or pre-litigation work in Europe, Asia, and Australia. Leadership changed in 2011 when Hasson left the presidency. William P. Mumma subsequently served as president and board chairman. Kristina Arriaga, who had joined the firm in 1995 and became executive director in 2010, later became a senior adviser. Montse Alvarado succeeded her as executive director in 2017. Mark Rienzi is identified in the supplied reference material as the organization’s current president and chief executive officer. Becket remains an active nonprofit legal organization whose public identity is closely tied to religious-liberty litigation, Supreme Court advocacy, and accommodationist constitutional arguments.
- 2025
Catholic Charities Bureau decision
[1]The Supreme Court ruled unanimously for Catholic Charities Bureau in a Wisconsin unemployment-tax exemption dispute.
- 2021
Fulton and Apache Stronghold litigation
[1]The organization litigated Fulton v. City of Philadelphia and began representing Apache Stronghold in the Oak Flat dispute.
- 2020
Religious-school and charity Supreme Court cases
[1]Becket represented the Little Sisters of the Poor and Our Lady of Guadalupe School in significant Supreme Court religious-liberty cases.
- 2019
Third Circuit upholds Lehigh County cross
[1]The Third Circuit ruled that the cross on Lehigh County’s seal did not violate the Constitution, reversing the practical effect of an earlier district-court ruling.
- 2017
Montse Alvarado becomes executive director
[1]Montse Alvarado succeeded Kristina Arriaga as executive director.
- 2012
First cited Supreme Court victory in consecutive winning streak
[1]Becket represented the church and school in Hosanna-Tabor, where the Supreme Court unanimously recognized the ministerial exception.
- 2011
Leadership transition
[1]Founder Kevin J. Hasson stepped down as president, with William P. Mumma subsequently serving as president and board chairman.
- 1997
Rigdon v. Perry
[1]The organization represented military chaplains in litigation that established protections for chaplains following the religious directives of their faith authorities.
- 1994
Becket Fund founded
[1]Kevin J. Hasson founded the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., naming it after Thomas Becket.
Products and positioning
A nonpartisan-seeking, accommodationist public-interest law firm positioned around strong legal protection for religious exercise and expression across faith traditions.
Legal services · 1994
Religious-liberty litigation
Representation in constitutional and statutory disputes involving free exercise, religious accommodation, institutional autonomy, and government burdens on faith-based conduct. The practice includes trial, appellate, and Supreme Court litigation for individuals, religious institutions, charities, schools, universities, and other organizations.
Legal services
Religious land-use advocacy
Litigation supporting the ability of religious organizations to acquire, build, use, and maintain places of worship and other facilities. Becket brought an early case under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and has pursued related disputes across the United States.
Legal services
Prisoner religious-rights representation
Cases concerning religious practice in correctional facilities, including grooming, diet, and access to religious observance. Examples include Holt v. Hobbs and litigation seeking kosher food for Jewish prisoners.
Advocacy
Public education and advocacy
Public-facing legal analysis, media engagement, educational activity, and policy advocacy designed to explain religious-liberty principles and promote accommodation of religious expression.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Apache Stronghold Oak Flat campaign
United States
Becket combined litigation and public advocacy on behalf of Apache Stronghold to oppose a copper mine project that would damage Oak Flat, a sacred Apache site in Arizona.
Outcome. The dispute remained active in the supplied reference material, including a 2024 petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- 2016Lehigh County seal and flag defense
United States
Becket represented Lehigh County in a challenge brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation concerning a cross displayed on the county seal and flag.
Outcome. After an adverse district-court ruling in 2017, the Third Circuit upheld the cross in 2019.
Brand decisions
2024
Supreme Court petition in Oak Flat disputeOtherBackground
Apache Stronghold challenged federal authorization for a copper mine that would destroy an Apache sacred site.
Action taken
Becket petitioned the Supreme Court to review an appellate decision allowing the project to proceed.
2022
Yeshiva University student-organization litigationOtherBackground
Students sued Yeshiva University after it declined to recognize an LGBTQ student group.
Action taken
Becket represented the university in state-court proceedings and in its effort to obtain Supreme Court relief.
Aftermath
A New York court ordered recognition of the group, and the university appealed while seeking emergency relief from the Supreme Court.
2021
Representation of Catholic Social Services in foster-care disputeStrategyBackground
Philadelphia stopped contracting with Catholic Social Services because the organization would not certify same-sex couples as foster parents.
Action taken
Becket litigated Fulton v. City of Philadelphia on behalf of Catholic Social Services.
Aftermath
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the city could not refuse the contract under the circumstances presented.
2014
Representation of Hobby Lobby in contraceptive-mandate caseStrategyBackground
Hobby Lobby challenged the requirement that employer health plans cover certain contraceptive drugs and devices that its owners considered abortifacients.
Action taken
Becket represented the plaintiffs before the Supreme Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.
Aftermath
The Court ruled 5–4 that closely held family businesses could assert religious objections under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Recent events
- 2025
Supreme Court rules for Catholic Charities Bureau[1]
Regulation
Becket litigated Catholic Charities Bureau v. Wisconsin, in which the Supreme Court unanimously held that Wisconsin’s denial of an unemployment-tax exemption was unconstitutional because it discriminated against religious organizations based on their religious activities.
- 2024
Becket petitions Supreme Court over Oak Flat mine project[1]
Lawsuit
Becket petitioned the Supreme Court to review an appellate ruling that allowed the federal government to proceed with a copper-mining project affecting the Oak Flat Apache worship site.
- 2022
Becket represents Yeshiva University in student-group litigation[1]
Lawsuit
Becket represented Yeshiva University in litigation over the institution’s refusal to recognize an LGBTQ student organization. After a New York court ordered recognition, the university sought relief from the U.S. Supreme Court.
- 2021
Supreme Court issues unanimous Fulton decision[1]
Other
In Fulton v. City of Philadelphia, the Court ruled that Philadelphia could not refuse to contract with Catholic Social Services because the organization would not certify same-sex couples as foster parents under the city’s contracting system.
- 2021
Becket begins representation of Apache Stronghold[1]
Other
Becket began representing Apache Stronghold in litigation seeking to prevent development of a copper mine at Oak Flat, a site regarded as sacred by Apache communities in Arizona.
- 2015
Supreme Court protects Muslim prisoner’s beard[1]
Other
In Holt v. Hobbs, the Court unanimously ruled for a Muslim Arkansas prisoner who sought to grow a beard in accordance with his faith under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.
- 2014
Supreme Court rules for Hobby Lobby in contraceptive-coverage dispute[1]
Other
Becket represented Hobby Lobby’s owners in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. The Court held that closely held corporations could assert religious objections under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the contraceptive-coverage dispute.
- 2012
Becket litigates Hosanna-Tabor ministerial-exception case[1]
Other
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously recognized the ministerial exception in Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC, a major decision concerning the application of employment-discrimination law to religious institutions.
Sources2 sources
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