California Supreme Court Watch

#26-157 Behrend v. San Francisco Zen Center Inc., S298484. (A171997; nonpublished opinion; San Francisco County Superior Court; CGC22602068.) Petition for review after the Court of Appeal reversed the judgment in a civil action. The court ordered briefing deferred pending decision in Lorenzo v. San Francisco Zen Center, S294565 (#26-19), which presents the following issue: Does the ministerial exception arising under the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution categorically preclude wage and hour claims by a minister against a religious organization without any inquiry into whether the claim touches upon any ecclesiastical concern?

Petition for review granted; briefing deferred: 10/28/2026

See the Court of Appeal Opinion.