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Full-Text Articles in Law
Teaching Jewish Law In American Law Schools: An Emerging Development In Law And Religion, Samuel J. Levine
Teaching Jewish Law In American Law Schools: An Emerging Development In Law And Religion, Samuel J. Levine
Fordham Urban Law Journal
There has been a "religious lawyering movement," where religion has gained increased prominence in the legal profession and academia. This essay discusses one aspect of the movement, Jewish law in the American law school curriculum. The author describes four models for courses teaching Jewish law in American law schools, outlining their advantages and disadvantages. The first model teaches Jewish law in comparative law. The course would compare and contrast the substantive areas of law in both Jewish and American law. The second model teaches Jewish law in international law. By focusing on the impact of Jewish law on Israel's legal …
Religion And The Public Defender, Sadiq Reza
Religion And The Public Defender, Sadiq Reza
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This essay argues that the public defender should not undertake, or fail to undertake, any action to the legal detriment of a client on the basis of a conflict the attorney perceives between religious and professional responsibility, except for imminent death or serious bodily harm to another. Having accepted the responsibility of representing indigent criminal defendants, the public defender is duty-bound to not compromise that responsibility for competing religious obligations. This argument rests on four premises: (1) the public defender occupies a unique position in our legal system, and options available to private interest lawyers or other clients should not …
The Spirit And The Law , Thomas W. Porter, Jr.
The Spirit And The Law , Thomas W. Porter, Jr.
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Essay asserts that the practice of law is experiencing a spiritual crisis at both the personal and professional level. The Essay seeks to determine the role that the crisis in our paradigms has played in the crisis our personal and institutional lives. Although the crisis in our paradigms are not necessarily responsible for all our problems, our institutions and systems can cause us to be estranged from ourselves and that is what is happening today in the practice of law. We, as a profession, are beginning to see the limitations of our old paradigm, with retributive justice as its …
Can A Religious Person Be A Big Firm Litigator? , Amelia J. Uelmen
Can A Religious Person Be A Big Firm Litigator? , Amelia J. Uelmen
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Essay takes on the challenge of describing some of the ways in which values often defined as "personal" or "religious" can be integrated into the practice of law at a large firm. Part I describes some of the aspects of big firm practice that make it particularly difficult to integrate religious and personal values which may give meaning to one's work. Part II suggests that such meaning can be found through a religious vision of what it means to be a person, which includes a sense of obligation to serve the common good. Part III explores how this concept …
Vocation As Curse, F. Giba-Matthews, Ofm
Vocation As Curse, F. Giba-Matthews, Ofm
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Essay argues that while legal work as a vocation may have positive effects for society as a whole, as well as overall benefits for the legal profession, vocation could very well hurt the lawyer "called" to take up such a vocation. A vocation is not simply the application of one's religious belieft to the practice of law; rather, it is a "burning fire" in a lawyer's soul which the lawyer "cannot contain." Thus, a lawyer's vocation becomes an overwhelming priority. Part I of this Essay provides an explanation of the biblical underpinnings of vocation through a discussion of the …
Honoring The Spirit In The Law: A Lawyer's Confession Of Faith, Melissa M. Weldon
Honoring The Spirit In The Law: A Lawyer's Confession Of Faith, Melissa M. Weldon
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Essay is a lawyer's public proclamation of her beliefs, using the words of her faith. She explains how her faith permeates through her daily life, and is even relevant to her profession as a lawyer.
A Plumber's Guide To Lawyering, Stephen P. Wink
A Plumber's Guide To Lawyering, Stephen P. Wink
Fordham Urban Law Journal
We accept as the natural way that some must lose if others are to win; that some must go hungry, while others eat fully. But, Jesus taught that there is a third way that can arrest the cycle of violence and domination. A way that strikes a chord at the core of beings so that we may fully hear and see the other person we are dealing with. This is what is sometimes called nonviolent resistance. It springs from a conversation with another -- beyond just talking -- but a dialogue of being with another on a one to one …
The Profession Of Religion And Law, Ted Dotts
The Profession Of Religion And Law, Ted Dotts
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This essay provides definitions for the terms "religion," "law" and "profession." The professional bears the power to bid forth -- to announce, command, tell, declare and make aware. Religion is the power to relate. Law is the power to regulate. The author concludes that religion and law are givens of human living. The question is not whether to have one or the other. The question is how we live with these realities.
A Lawyer's Mischellany: Scriptural Resources For Christian Lawyers, Joseph Allegretti
A Lawyer's Mischellany: Scriptural Resources For Christian Lawyers, Joseph Allegretti
Fordham Urban Law Journal
This Essay provides resources for spiritual sustenance and to help bridge the gap between what one does as a lawyer and one professes as a Christian. The author provides a dozen passages from Scripture --some from the Hebrew Scriptures, some from the New Testament -- that the author found relevant to the life and work of Christian lawyers. After each quotation, the author includes a few comments to spark further reflection.
To Engage In Civil Practice As A Lawyer, James L. Nolan
To Engage In Civil Practice As A Lawyer, James L. Nolan
Fordham Urban Law Journal
Society can realize the justice it craves through virtuous lawyers doing their jobs well. In this context of the crucially important role lawyers play in society, the claimed spiritual crisis of the lawyer's professional bearings takes on greater concern. This Essay explores some of the dimensions of a spiritual crisis which lawyers now face and suggests how one might more effectively bridge the gap ebtween religious faith and legal practice to better serve clients and society.