Law Students Conference 2011: Integrating Law and the Christian Faith
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Date: Saturday, 19 February, 2011
Time: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Venue: Multi-Purpose Auditorium, Level 3, Blk B, NUS Faculty of Law, Bukit Timah Campus (For directions on how to get to NUS Law School, please visit: http://law.nus.edu.sg/about_us/location.html)
Plenary Sessions Session 1: What is God doing in the world? "What is God's mission in His world and what is God restoring in His creation? What does law and justice have to do with God's mission? What is justice by God's standard? How will that look like in the society and in the law courts?” This introductory session sets the tone for the theme of the conference by helping participants to understand the importance of God’s kingdom work on earth. Before we can ask what God’s purpose is for us in the legal profession and in the world, we first take a step back to understand who God is and what is on His heart – in doing so, we begin to realize that He is a God of justice, and He cares about pursuing justice in this world. As His instruments, seeking justice on earth is thus an aspect of the work that God has tasked Christians to do. We who are called to be part of the legal fraternity have an especially unique role to play: with our God-given legal training and opportunities, we naturally have a greater responsibility in the pursuit of social justice. Ultimately, whether we are called to private practice or the public sector, God has surely placed us wherever we are for a reason – to be part of His great plan.
Participants can look forward an interactive, informal lunch session where they will have an opportunity to meet and chat with fresh graduates from law school. The graduates will share their experiences on topics ranging from studying in law school, doing internships, securing training contracts, pupillage and getting called to the bar, the transition to working life and the struggles they face. Through these group conversations, participants can raise questions or seek advice from graduates who are able to identify with what law students go through and help provide a godly perspective on these matters.
Within the marketplace, Christian lawyers are inevitably confronted with countless issues which promise to test their faith. This session helps participants glimpse a myriad of issues and problems using hypothetical questions which they will attempt in groups. Through lively and candid discussions, participants will brainstorm and come up with possible solutions which are appropriate godly responses to these sticky situations i.e. “What would Jesus do?”. At the close of the session, the speaker will share thoughts pertaining to our attitudes, actions and decisions in such circumstances, with the goal of helping participants live out their faith in the workplace.
Beyond the challenges in the marketplace, Christian lawyers may find themselves struggling in other life aspects as well. From the transition as a law student to a full-fledged lawyer, they may face the struggles of disillusionment with the legal profession (regarding their work and their bosses); difficulties in balancing family, church ministry, relationships and other commitments; the stresses and fears that come with the job, etc. The session will prepare student participants for the commencement of their professional career, and give them some handles in preparing and facing similar challenges in the future.
The Conference will conclude with a panel discussion comprising lawyers practising in different capacities and fields of law: criminal prosecution, criminal defense, corporate work, civil litigation, family law and in-house consultancy. Lawyers will share personal testimonies about challenges faced and offer perspectives on how one can glorify God in their respective areas of practice. Lawyers will also field questions from participants in the subsequent Question and Answer session. The concluding session will raise practical issues across diverse fields of practice as food for thought and the sharing of life experience will encourage and challenge participants to seek to glorify the Lord in their careers in the legal profession.
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Through seminars and an interactive lunch session, participants will discuss and consider issues relating to exercising their Christian faith within, and beyond the marketplace. They will gain a deeper understanding of God’s work in the world and in society, as well as instrumentality of law in furthering justice.
The Conference will see the participation of members from different walks of life: practitioners from diverse areas of law, members of the academia and law students, with the latter forming the bulk of the Conference participants. The organizers also hope that the sharing of life experiences and numerous fellowship opportunities will bring encouragement and benefit to all participants in their walk with the Lord.