2018 Orthodox Christian Attorney Conference notes

(CLS) - On October 13th, 2018, Orthodox Christian attorneys and law students from across the nation gathered in Clearwater, Florida, for the second annual Orthodox Christian Attorney Network (OCAN) conference. The event was held in conjunction with the Christian Legal Society (CLS) National Conference, the nation’s premier Christian legal conference.

The OCAN conference addressed a fundamental question that we, as Orthodox lawyers, tend to ask ourselves at several points throughout our careers: Is it possible to be a good Christian and a good lawyer? We were privileged to hear from speakers, who are both devoted Orthodox Christians and successful lawyers, talk about good stewardship of our hearts, minds, and churches through the practice of law.

The keynote address for this event was given by the Honorable Judge Stephanos Bibas. Judge Bibas serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and is also an ordained Deacon in St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Orthodox Church in Rocky Hill, NJ. Judge Bibas delivered a talk entitled “Being a Good Christian Lawyer in a Post-Christian World: On Serving Two Masters,” addressing the ethical and moral dilemmas which regularly challenge lawyers who seek to reconcile their faith with their profession.

The conference continued with a series of panel discussions by Orthodox attorneys who shared their expertise and life experience on living as faithful Orthodox Christians and attaining the highest levels of achievement. The speakers led discussions on topics touching their everyday lives as lawyers, including:

• Bringing sacrament to the billable hour,

• Truth in the legal profession

• Stewardship of the heart and mind

• Providing pro bono legal services, and

• Our role as lawyers and parishioners within our churches