The Non-Traditional Legal Career

A quick follow-up to my last post. At the end of last week, I had the privilege of seeing and renewing friendships with quite a few alumni. It was great fun. It was also illuminating. It turns out that many alumni are using their law degrees in non-traditional ways.

On Thursday I enjoyed seeing two former students who now serve as corporate vice presidents, one with a large charitable foundation and one with a large construction company. Both began their careers in traditional law practices. Neither expected a corporate vice presidency to be on their career path. But they are both happy and fulfilled. Both described for me how God led them in this way--and how God is using them in their corporate roles to impact the lives of others.

While encouraging, these stories shouldn't be surprising. It has been well-known for a long time that legal training is excellent preparation for many fields. Legal education excels at teaching effective communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. As dean, it is very satisfying for me to see our alums using those skills in fulfilling and meaningful--if non-traditional--ways.

A Seven Day Glimpse into the Making of a Christian Lawyer

I write from Atlanta as I am getting ready for a lunch meeting with some alumni and friends of the law school. We had a similar lunch yesterday as well as a large alumni reception last night. While traveling isn't always a joy, this trip has been a good one--productive and enjoyable.

My biggest observation so far: over the course of the last week I have been privileged to observe--and share in--the entire life cycle of the making of a Christian lawyer.

A week ago, a group of about 35 prospective students visited Regent University School of Law for our Preview Weekend. These men and women are sensing that God may have called them to serve Him and others through the law. They are realizing that it is possible not just to be a Christian and a lawyer, but a Christian lawyer who submits to and lives out the lordship of Christ in every area of life. They aren't sure what it all means, but they are dreaming about what may lie ahead. They are nervous. They are excited. They are expectant.

For the first half of this week I was in Virginia Beach, working with current law students. They have responded to God's call. Now they are being equipped. Some days these students are just gutting it out--and three years of training seem very long indeed. But other days are filled with joy as the students build friendships, see progress, and know they are following God's plan. They too dream about what lies ahead.

For the last two days in Atlanta, I have been privileged to hear stories from our alumni. The waiting is over. The training is done. They are truly living out the calling God has put on their lives. Even now, not every day is easy. These alums face difficult and sometimes unexpected challenges. What gives me great joy, though, is to hear how they respond to those challenges by the grace and power of God. I rejoice, too, as they report how God has enabled them to meaningfully serve Him and others. Sometimes they do so in very public ways. Often they do so in quiet and seemingly unknown ways, one client at a time. In both cases, they are Christian leaders changing the world.

What a great gig this dean job is! I thank God for the chance to play a small part in the process of equipping a generation of Christian lawyers. I thank God, too, for the chance I've had to glimpse that whole process in action over the course of just seven days.