Ninth Circuit Weighs Groundbreaking Pacific Justice Jury Verdict

Ninth Circuit Weighs Groundbreaking Pacific Justice Jury Verdict

Federal appeals court to hear arguments in major religious discrimination case involving

COVID-19 vaccine mandate

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is set to hear arguments on April 15, 2026, in a landmark religious discrimination case in which Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) previously secured a $7.8 million jury verdict on behalf of Bay Area Rapid Transit employees.

The case, Lewis-Williams et al. v. San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, originally involved 35 employees represented by PJI, who were unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to sincerely held religious beliefs. Six of these original plaintiffs ultimately went to trial and were awarded the verdict.

A federal jury in San Francisco found that the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District violated federal law by failing to provide reasonable religious accommodations under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of religion.

The jury awarded $7.8 million in damages, marking one of the largest religious discrimination verdicts in California in 2024.

According to court filings, the employees requested accommodations based on their religious convictions but were denied and faced adverse employment consequences as a result. The lawsuit addressed whether the agency met its obligation under federal law to accommodate employees' religious beliefs in the workplace.

"This case reflects the importance of protecting religious liberty in the workplace," said Brad Dacus, founder and president of PJI. "Employees should not be forced to choose between their faith and their livelihood. This verdict affirms that religious beliefs deserve respect and legal protection under federal law."

Matt McReynolds, one of the PJI attorneys who represents the employees, addressed the significance of the ruling:

"This verdict confirms that employers must take religious accommodation requests seriously and evaluate them under the standards set forth in federal law. The jury recognized that these employees sought to remain faithful to their convictions while continuing their work, and the law provides protections for that right."

PJI's chief counsel, Kevin Snider, added:

"The railroad employees chose to lose their livelihood rather than deny their faith. Such convictions are recognized by the law and were vindicated by the jury."

Following the verdict, the transit agency filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Kevin Snider and Matt McReynolds are scheduled to argue the case. The appeal remains pending.

Pacific Justice Institute continues to defend individuals across the nation whose religious freedoms are affected in the workplace.

Learn more about Pacific Justice Institute's work defending religious freedoms:

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