About our Staff

Robert W. "Skip" Ash is Senior Counsel Emeritus at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and at the European Centre for Law and Justice ( ECLJ). Ash was the head of the ACLJ's national security practice. As such, he has dealt with legal issues concerning Believers in the U.S. Armed Forces, with issues regarding the Law of Armed Conflict worldwide, with issues before the International Criminal Court, with issues before the United Nations and its agencies, and with issues before other international courts in Europe. Ash is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and served 22 years on active duty as a U.S. Army officer. His service included serving as NATO desk officer in the War Plans division of the Army Staff as well as a military strategist for the Secretary of Defense in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Plans in the Pentagon. A graduate of Regent University School of Law, Ash has also served as a member of the faculties of the School of Law and the Robertson School of Government at Regent where he taught courses on national security law, public international law, comparative law, First Amendment law, business associations, and legal research and writing. He is licensed to practice in VA.

Matthew Clark is Senior Counsel for Digital Advocacy with the American Center for Law and Justice ( ACLJ) in the Washington, D.C., headquarters. Matthew Clark has authored numerous articles for such publications as the Washington Post, The Washington Times, and the Washington Examiner on critical constitutional and policy matters facing our nation and the fight for human rights worldwide. He is also a Contributor at RedState.com. Prior to rejoining the ACLJ, where he clerked while in law school, Matthew Clark served as Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Walter S. Felton, Jr., Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Matthew Clark earned a Juris Doctor and Master's Degree in Public Policy from Regent University where he served as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Regent Journal of Law and Public Policy. He also currently serves as a Senior Research Associate for the M.G. Robertson Global Centre for Law & Public Policy. He also participated in the inaugural symposium on Persecution, Peace, and Reconciliation held at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford in 2015. He is licensed to practice in VA & DC, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Christina Compagnone is Senior Managing Counsel with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). She has worked primarily on First Amendment issues, with a specific focus on student and employee rights, as well as international human rights. In 2021, Christina received the R. Edwin Burnette Jr. Young Lawyer of the Year Award from the Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Conference. Christina received a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs with Distinction from the University of Virginia, and her Juris Doctor with Honors from Regent University School of Law. She served as a Staff Editor for the Regent University Law Review and a Senior Editor for the Journal of Global Justice and Public Policy, where she authored a comment published in the Journal addressing the European Court of Human Rights’ decision protecting the life of an unborn child in Parrillo v. Italy. Prior to her work for the ACLJ, Christina garnered legal experience during her apprenticeships at the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach and the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Additionally, Christina received the Best Brief – Regional Award and the Second Best Brief – World Award in Oxford University’s Price Media Law Moot Court Competition in 2016. She is licensed to practice in VA & DC.

Andy Ekonomou is Senior Counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). Andy Ekonomou’s distinguished legal career spans over 45 years. Ekonomou first served as Legal Counsel to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1975 and has since held numerous respected roles, having served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, and perhaps most notably having served as Acting United States Attorney. Most recently, Andy has held the position of Assistant District Attorney in Georgia. Andy Ekonomou holds a B.A. and M.A. from Emory University, and a J.D. from the Emory University School of Law. In 2000, Andy earned his Ph.D. from Emory and was a Visiting Fellow at Harris Manchester College in Oxford, England. Ekonomou regularly appears as a contributor on Sekulow, the ACLJ’s daily radio and TV broadcasts. He is licensed to practice in GA.

Shaheryar Gill is Senior Counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and oversees the ACLJ's Virginia Beach office, where he leads the ACLJ's international legal team. He also oversees the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) affiliate office in Pakistan, which provides legal assistance to persecuted Christians. Gill is a graduate of Handong International Law School in South Korea, where he served as Senior Editor of Joint Regent-Handong Journal of International Law. He received his LL.M. from Regent University School of Law. He has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Regent University School of Law, where he has taught Public International Law and guest lectured on National Security Law and Christian Foundations of Law. Gill is also a Fellow of the M.G. Robertson Global Centre for Law & Public Policy. He is licensed to practice in TN & DC.

CeCe Heil is Senior Counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) specializing in public policy and global legal matters, including the United Nations. She heads a team of lawyers handling cases in defense of life, protection of U.S. National Security interests, and dealing with Islamic extremism. Before joining the ACLJ, Heil worked in private practice in Missouri and Tennessee, serving as counsel to many internationally recognized clients, and she is on the board of several national ministries. Heil is a recognized leader in her work to have pro-family, pro-life, and pro-free enterprise policies enacted, including being a former candidate for Congress. Her service and knowledge as ac scholar earned her the support of Sarah Palin, and Heil was one of a handful of candidates named as a “Mama Grizzly” by the former Alaska Governor. Heil is a 1992 graduate of Regent University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in CA, MO, TN, & VA, as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Laura Brown Hernandez is Senior Research Counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) emphasizing in constitutional litigation at the federal appellate level and has participated as amicus curiae counsel in numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. A graduate of The University of Richmond Law School in Richmond, Virginia, Hernandez clerked for the Honorable John D. Butzner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit before gaining extensive experience in private practice at law firms in Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia. She has served as an adjunct professor of legal writing at Regent University, where her husband, Michael V. Hernandez, serves as Professor of Law. She is licensed to practice in VA.

Harry G. Hutchison is Senior Counsel and Director of Policy for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). He has served as a Professor of Law at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, a Founding Fellow at the M.G. Robertson Global Centre for Law & Public Policy, and co-editor of Westlaw’s Religious Organizations Treatise. His latest book is Requiem for Reality: Critical Race Theocrats and Social Justice Dystopia. He is licensed to practice in MI.

Colby M. May is Senior Counsel and Director of the Washington Office of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). May represents members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate on legislative initiatives involving national security, abortion, marriage, and pornography. With the ACLJ since 1994, May emphasizes federal litigation, regulatory proceedings, communications and technology, non-profit tax issues, and First Amendment law. May, a graduate of the George Mason University School of Law, has argued, participated in, or acted as amici curiae counsel in several landmark cases including Branch Ministries, Inc. v. Richardson, Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, National Interfaith Cable v. FCC, and National Endowment for the Arts v. Finley. He also serves on the board of directors of many civic organizations, including the Enterprise Development International, Inc. – a public charity fostering development in emerging countries, and Enough is Enough! – a pro-family organization working to make the Internet safe for children. He is licensed to practice in DC & VA.

Thomas P. Monaghan is Senior Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) with extensive experience involving protecting the sanctity of human life. With experience as both a public defender and prosecuting attorney, Monaghan sharpened his legal skills in private practice and has extensive trial and appellate experience. Monaghan has studied at the London School of Economics, Brandeis University, and Vanderbilt University. He is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, having received the Bronze star. Monaghan has handled dozens of trials throughout the country and is considered one of the best trial attorneys in the United States. Monaghan also oversees the European Centre for Law and Justice located in Strasbourg, France. Monaghan is one of the founders of the American Center for Law and Justice and has worked with ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow since 1986. He is licensed to practice in HI, ID, & KY.

Donn Parsons is Corporate Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to joining the ACLJ, he served as counsel to four different Ohio Senate presidents, Members of Congress, and statewide elected officials. He holds degrees from Emory University and the University of Minnesota Law School. He is licensed to practice in OH & DC.

Geoffrey Surtees is Senior Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and specializes in religious civil liberties. Geoff is a graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law and holds a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies (summa cum laude) from the Pontifical Lateran University. Since joining the ACLJ as an attorney in 2001, Geoff has been active in a wide array of First Amendment cases, including the free speech rights of pro-life demonstrators and public school students. He has also participated in cases involving the conscience rights of medical personnel and the religious rights of public and private employees. He is licensed to practice in KY.

Walter M. Weber is Senior Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) in the Washington, D.C. office. A highly regarded legal writer, Weber received his bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and his law degree from Yale Law School. Weber emphasizes First Amendment law and has written briefs in many landmark cases at the U.S. Supreme Court, including NOW v. Scheidler, Lamb’s Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School District and Bray v. Alexandria Women’s Health Clinic. Weber has argued more than a dozen times in appeals before federal and state courts. Prior to joining the ACLJ, Weber served as a staff attorney with the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. He is licensed to practice in DC, IL, & VA.