Denver-Area Web Designer Seeks Nearly $2 Million in Legal Fees Following U.S. Supreme Court Victory

Overview of the Legal Battle

Lorie Smith, a prominent web designer based in the Denver area, has sought nearly $2 million in legal fees from the State of Colorado. This request follows a landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in her favor, a decision that has set a significant precedent in the ongoing discourse surrounding the intersection of free speech and anti-discrimination laws.

Background of the Case

Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, a web design firm located in Colorado, filed a lawsuit challenging Colorado’s anti-discrimination statute. Her legal action was driven by her assertion that her deeply held religious beliefs precluded her from providing custom web design services for same-sex weddings. Smith argued that compelling her to produce such content would infringe upon her First Amendment rights.

In 2023, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in favor of Smith, overturning a lower court’s ruling that required her compliance with the Colorado anti-discrimination law. The high court’s judgment affirmed Smith’s right to refuse to design wedding websites for same-sex couples, citing that forcing her to do so would violate her constitutional freedom of speech as protected by the First Amendment.

Request for Legal Fees

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), the conservative legal organization that represented Smith, has submitted a motion seeking nearly $2 million in legal fees. This amount covers 2,174.4 hours of legal work, which ADF claims represents a 36% reduction from the 3,374.9 hours initially billed for the case. ADF describes the litigation as "long, complex, and ground-breaking," highlighting the extensive legal obstacles encountered over the seven-year period of the case.

The fee request underscores the considerable resources expended by ADF to achieve the favorable Supreme Court ruling. The organization’s filing emphasizes the rigorous legal and procedural efforts involved in the case.

Implications of the Supreme Court Ruling

The Supreme Court’s decision is regarded as one of the most significant First Amendment rulings in recent history. Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the majority, articulated that compelling Smith to create speech contrary to her beliefs would constitute a violation of her constitutional rights. In contrast, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, along with the Court’s other two liberal justices, dissented, arguing that the ruling sets a precedent allowing businesses to refuse service to members of protected classes, a stance they view as detrimental to anti-discrimination principles.

Alliance Defending Freedom’s Role

Alliance Defending Freedom, based in Arizona, is a leading faith-based legal advocacy organization focused on religious liberty cases. The group has been involved in various high-profile legal battles, including an unsuccessful attempt to restrict access to the abortion pill mifepristone. ADF’s involvement in Smith’s case highlights its commitment to defending religious and free speech rights, particularly in cases where these rights intersect with anti-discrimination laws.

Responses and Current Status

As of the latest update, Alliance Defending Freedom had not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the legal fee request. The Colorado Attorney General’s office has similarly declined to comment. The case, officially known as *303 Creative LLC v. Aubrey Elenis et al*, is being adjudicated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, Case No. 1:16-cv-02372-PAB.

Conclusion

Lorie Smith’s pursuit of nearly $2 million in legal fees, following her successful Supreme Court challenge to Colorado’s anti-discrimination law, highlights the substantial financial and legal implications of this high-profile case. The ruling has broader ramifications for the balance between free speech and anti-discrimination protections, reflecting ongoing debates about religious liberty and public accommodation laws in the United States.