ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCTOBER 14, 2026
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO AT
MEDIA@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA — After more than four years of litigation, Advocates for Faith & Freedom, together with Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP, has secured a favorable settlement on behalf of Santa Clara County employees who challenged the County’s treatment of workers with sincerely held religious objections to its COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
The case began in 2022 after County employees who had received religious exemptions from the vaccine requirement were nevertheless prevented from continuing to work in positions the County classified as high risk. The employees challenged the County’s refusal to provide reasonable accommodations that would have allowed them to continue working while adhering to their religious convictions.
“This was a long and difficult fight, and our clients remained steadfast throughout it,” said Sam Kane, Senior Legal Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “They should never have been forced to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs and their livelihoods. We are grateful to have reached a favorable resolution that recognizes what they endured and brings this years-long litigation to a close.”
Throughout the case, Advocates and Wolf Haldenstein challenged the County’s accommodation policies and defended the employees’ rights under federal law. The litigation continued through extensive discovery, class proceedings, dispositive motions, and preparation for trial before the parties ultimately reached a settlement.
“Our clients showed tremendous resolve in pursuing this case,” said Rachele Byrd of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP. “They stood by their convictions through years of complex litigation, and we are pleased to have secured a favorable settlement that provides meaningful relief and allows them to finally move forward.”
The case is another reminder that religious liberty protections matter most when exercising one’s faith comes at a real personal or professional cost. “Religious freedom cannot exist only when it is convenient,” Kane added. “When government policies place people in the position of choosing between their faith and their careers, those rights must be defended. We were honored to stand alongside these employees.”