Jeffrey A. Berman, a partner at Sidley Austin Brown & Wood and Co-Chair of the firm's Religious Institutions Practice Group, was asked to comment on the importance of CAPSO's involvement in the matter. "I believe that the amicus letter that we filed on behalf of CAPSO and others was helpful in persuading the Court to exercise its discretion to hear the case," Berman responded. "This is because the letter showed the Court that this case involves more than just an important legal issue—it involves the ability of many religious schools to obtain conduit (tax-exempt bond) financing," he added, concluding, "In essence, the amicus letter made the case 'real'."

CAPSO member organizations provide service to nearly 1,800 private schools enrolling more than 460,000 private school students in grades K-12.

Learn more about the background of this case.