Alliance Defending Freedom is a Christian, conservative public interest law firm based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It provides free legal representation to the time-honored values of life, religious liberty, and family and local control.

Alliance Defending Freedom has ten offices in the U.S., including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Texas and Virginia; a liaison office in New York City; and international affiliates in Australia (ADF International), Canada (Alliance Defending Freedom Canada) and Europe (Alliance Defending Freedom Europe).

Alliance Defending Freedom’s mission is to protect free speech with regard to artistic expression as well as religious liberties for individuals living in America from coercion by special interest groups. It also seeks to defend Christians, who are increasingly facing discrimination and threats on their religious freedoms in the United States.

The organization was founded in 1994 by Alan Sears and Craig Osten, who met while they were completing their legal studies at UCLA School of Law. Their goal was to provide pro bono representation for school districts, parents and students being sued for having a student-led prayer at high school graduation ceremonies.

On August 1, 2015, it announced that it would be launching The Center For Academic Freedom during the 2015 fall semester. This new division will focus on ensuring the preservation of freedom of speech in higher education institutions across the United States.

Under the leadership of Senior Vice President of Research David Cortman, the Center for Academic Freedom will be dedicated to supporting and defending higher education institutions that defend free speech on their campuses.

The Center will offer strategic advice and counsel to colleges and universities experiencing attacks on their freedom of speech or academic freedom. The organization will provide support for pro bono representation on campus via its network of lawyers. It will also provide resources, training and technical assistance to universities in order to better equip them with resources to successfully defend their institutions from anti-speech campaigns. Visit this channel on YouTube, for additional information.

More about ADF on https://www.guidestar.org/profile/54-1660459