FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2023
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Noelle Garnier
202-891-7843
ngarnier@nrb.org
Michael P. Farris Joins National Religious Broadcasters Association
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB)—The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association is pleased to announce the addition of acclaimed religious liberty and free speech advocate Michael P. Farris as general counsel.
Farris will perform in-house legal advisory functions and provide key strategic support to NRB’s public policy division, whose areas of engagement include advocating for a favorable business environment for broadcasters, addressing threats to religious free speech, defending the rights of religious nonprofits, and upholding First Amendment freedoms in the courts.
The following statement is from Troy A. Miller, President & CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters:
“There are few as accomplished as Michael Farris in advocating for First Amendment freedoms, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team. Acquiring general counsel is a critical and strategic next step to strengthen NRB’s advocacy operations as we see increasing anti-Christian hostility in mainstream media, institutions of government, and corporate boardrooms. Mike’s wealth of experience will serve as a key asset to the NRB, enhancing the scope and capabilities of NRB public policy engagement in service of our historic mission of maintaining access for Christian communicators.”
The following statement is from Michael P. Farris, General Counsel at National Religious Broadcasters:
“Our freedoms to speak and publish freely are under attack from woke government regulators and their big tech allies. I am honored to be joining NRB to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who proclaim God’s truth day in and day out.”
Farris was founding president of both the Home School Legal Defense Association (1983) and Patrick Henry College (2000) and continues to serve as chairman of the board of HSLDA and chancellor emeritus of PHC.
He graduated from Western Washington State College magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science, followed by a Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University (with honors). He also earned an LL.M. in public international law (with honors) from the University of London.
Farris has specialized in constitutional appellate litigation. In that capacity, he has argued before the appellate courts of 13 states, eight federal circuit courts of appeal, and the U.S. Supreme Court, where in 2018 he successfully argued NIFLA v. Becerra, resulting in a free speech victory for California’s pro-life pregnancy centers.
Farris has testified many times before both the House and Senate. He was an executive committee member of the Coalition for the Free Exercise of Religion that successfully lobbied Congress for the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. He also has substantial experience in international religious freedom advocacy. Farris served as president & CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) from 2017 to 2022 and will continue to serve ADF in a part-time advisory role.
Farris is the author of over 15 books, as well as law review and other scholarly and popular articles. He and his wife, Vickie, have 10 children and many grandchildren.
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About NRB
NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRB’s mission is twofold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth, by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and to foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at www.nrb.org.
About the NRB Convention
The annual NRB International Christian Media Convention is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assist those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic and award-winning Exposition consists of dozens of organizations and is an active marketplace for those seeking products and services to enhance their own organization. The next Convention will be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida, May 22-25, 2023. For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org.
