Pint-sized powerhouse: Becket recognized on 2020 Hot List for Top Firms Becket becomes first non-profit law firm to earn a spot on the annual list of successful appellate firms

WASHINGTON – Recognized for its extraordinary success before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appeals courts, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty joins 23 premier appellate firms across a number of practice areas as this year’s constitutional rights advocate on the “appellate hot list” and the only non-profit law firm chosen since the list’s creation. 

 A non-profit law firm that defends religious freedom for all, Becket overcame the unprecedented challenges of 2020 by securing two Supreme Court victories on the same day in July and arguing on behalf of faith-affirming agencies at the High Court just last week.   

“High profile. High pressure. High stakes. These are the traits that defined our defense of religious believers amid a global epidemic,” said Montse Alvarado, executive director of Becket. “Our expert First Amendment litigators have worked tirelessly to protect the rights of nuns, heroic foster moms, and Jews who have been targeted and bullied by government officials.” 

 Becket is the first non–profit firm to earn a place in the National Law Journal’s annual Appellate Hot List. The List recognizes firms with “success before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appeals courts” and was launched in 2008.  

Becket was awarded a spot alongside a select group of other premier appellate practices like Jones Day, Kirkland & Ellis, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher due to its recent Supreme Court wins in Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru and Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania.  

 “It is not always easy or popular to defend First Amendment rights, particularly for people with minority views,” said Mark Rienzi, President of Becket. “But it is the right thing to do and it is good for our country. We are honored that the National Law Journal has recognized Becket’s team as among the nation’s best.”  

Becket argued its most recent Supreme Court case, Fulton v. Philadelphia, last week. Since its founding, Becket has maintained an undefeated record in merits cases before the Supreme Court, with seven wins in the last eight years alone. 

For more information or to arrange an interview with a Becket attorney, contact Ryan Colby at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7219. Interviews can be arranged in English, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.