I'm a lawyer, but I don't want your business. I want to help you avoid the misery of lawsuits and lawyers. Really.
Better than any lawyer’s advice
By Stephen Bloom | February 5, 2010
I’ve been practicing law for a long time. I’ve learned a lot, read a lot, seen a lot. And I’ve never found a better, stronger, simpler tool for resolving conflict than “The Slippery Slope” by Peacemaker Ministries. Here it is:
Learn it, live it. More info and supporting Scripture are at Staying on Top of Conflict on the Peacemaker Ministries website.
Question: How do you resolve conflict?
Topics: common legal issues, conflict resolution | No Comments »
Three Rings and You’re Out: Bishop Busted for Bells
By Stephen Bloom | January 29, 2010
Zero tolerance for church bells? Ring free zones?
Instead of getting tough on dealers, Arizona prosecutors are going after pealers.
It doesn’t ring true, but it is. Here’s the video report from Alliance Defense Fund:
ADF is representing the bellringing Bishop in an appeal hearing of his criminal conviction and, in a separate civil case, is challenging the application of local noise ordinances to church bells.
Question: Has the freedom of your church been threatened by overzealous government regulation?
Topics: religious freedom | No Comments »
Missed ministry: What are the top legal issues confronting members of your congregation?
By Stephen Bloom | January 23, 2010
Your church is full of vibrant ministries reaching out to meet the pressing needs of congregation and community, as you seek to offer real life expressions of Christ’s love. But are you overlooking one of the most relevant and vital areas of need?
As a Christian lawyer, I can’t avoid hearing about the legal problems confronting my fellow believers. People confide in me not only at the law office, but at almost every gathering I attend, even Sunday morning services in my own church. And too often, it turns out the only counsel they’ve been getting is the destructive advice of some secular-minded lawyer.
But you don’t have to stand back and let the people you serve wander alone in the rough and tumble legal arena. You have an amazing opportunity to fill the spiritual void with the healing power of God’s counsel (and believe me, the Bible offers plenty of positive, redemptive legal advice, some of which I humbly attempt to capture in my book, The Believer’s Guide to Legal Issues).
Based on my experience, here are the top legal issues facing the people in your church:
1) Divorce and family law
2) Bankruptcy and financial crisis
3) Injury and accidents
4) Employment and workplace problems
5) Criminal incidents
6) Tax problems
7) Elder law and estate planning
Healing, restoration, and forgiveness abound when people struggling with the weight of legal challenges discover the Bible’s rich, constructive (and often very much counter-cultural) advice. Give it to them!
Question: What legal issues confront the members of your church?
Topics: Bible, common legal issues | 1 Comment »
“You can have religious freedom, you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room” - U.S. Senate Candidate Coakley Legal Shocker
By Stephen Bloom | January 15, 2010
The following YouTube clip is shocking audio of Massachusetts Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate, Martha Coakley, arrogantly informing Catholics (and, by extension, other Christian believers who might wish to exercise their religious rights of conscience), “You can have religious freedom, you probably shouldn’t work in the emergency room.”
Attorney General Coakley, with all due respect to her office, is wrong. Her statement mischaracterizes the law and, if applied, would amount to unlawful religious discrimination. Religious freedom means much more than believers merely being free to voluntarily segregate themselves from certain professions (especially the caring professions which are so often reflective of the very essence of religious faith).
Under Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act, employers are prohibited from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing and other terms and conditions of employment. This means employers cannot treat you any less favorably because of your religious beliefs or practices, nor can they force you to stop participating in religious activities as a condition of your employment. And this means emergency rooms cannot discriminate against practicing Catholics or others who hold religious values.
More: Good News on the Law: You Can Be a Christian at Work
Question: Have you experienced religious discrimination in the workplace?
Topics: religious freedom | 3 Comments »
How to find a Christian lawyer
By Stephen Bloom | January 8, 2010
As much mischief as lawyers instigate, there really are times in life when you do need to hire a lawyer. Whether it’s properly documenting your estate plan or a major transaction, or understanding your legal options in any number of complex situations, good advice from a good lawyer will sometimes be indispensable.
So how do you find one?
And, most importantly, how do you find one who shares your Christian worldview?
While word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients are often your best resource, there are useful Christian lawyer referral services being (or soon to be) offered nationally in the U.S.
Christian Lawyer Connection provides “a way in which people who are seeking the guidance of a Christian attorney can gain easy access to multiple, self-professed, local Christian attorneys.” The service is free to consumers.
The Christian Legal Society is also in the process of setting up a Christian Lawyer Referral program, which is “under construction” as of the date of this post.
Inclusion of a lawyer on these referral lists doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good lawyer or one who shares your worldview, so you still have to do your homework. The consumer rule of “buyer beware” certainly applies in hiring a lawyer. Once you’ve narrowed your choices, start by asking them these five questions, and then ask any other questions especially important to you.
Consumer tip: Don’t wait until a legal crisis is blowing up in your face to choose your lawyer. Start an attorney-client relationship now, while you have time to consider your options and carefully make your selection. Then, if and when a difficult situation emerges, you’ll know where to turn for help or a solid referral.
Question: How have you found a good Christian lawyer?
Topics: Christian lawyer, lawyer | 5 Comments »
