In the Miller appeal, the Sixth Circuit ruled that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is liable for attorney’s fees, not the county, nor Kim Davis. In the Ermold appeal, the court agrees with lower court Judge Bunning – that Kim in her official capacity has sovereign immunity because she acted for the state (not the county). However, the court ruled that Kim Davis has no qualified immunity as an individual. There is no final ruling on whether Kim Davis is liable for damages. The court noted that the case is at a very “early” stage and that no discovery has been conducted on this issue.

Davis will continue to argue that she is not liable for damages because she was entitled to a religious accommodation (which Gov. Bevin and the legislature granted), and that her actions did not violate clearly established rights. The Supreme Court can strike down a law but not rewrite it. As the then-president of the Kentucky Senate argued in an amicus brief, the laws of the Commonwealth on marriage were “shredded” by the Supreme Court’s ruling, and the legislature had to enact new legislation. The duties of a clerk in the area of marriage is governed in every aspect by the laws of the Commonwealth.

“The Court of Appeals ruled that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is liable for attorney’s fees in the Miller case, not Rowan County, nor Kim Davis," said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. "Even though the court ruled in the Ermold case that Kim Davis has no qualified immunity as an individual, the court also noted that this does not end the case because no discovery on this issue has yet to be conducted. Regarding Kim Davis, this case is not over.  Kim Davis sought a religious accommodation, and today every Kentucky clerk benefits from her efforts thanks to Governor Matt Bevin and the entire general assembly. I believe Kim Davis will prevail on the individual damages claim,” said Staver.

Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.