Nelson P. Miller

The Faithful Lawyer: Flourishing from Law Study to Practice Nelson P. Miller

Law studies and law practice present psychological, emotional, ethical, and other challenges that test the faith of law students and lawyers. Failures in faith can produce doubt, fear, anxiety, and even depression, substance abuse, and burnout. Law studies and law practice, like other worthwhile yet challenging endeavors, force law students and lawyers to define and commit to articles of faith. This guide helps law students and lawyers connect law studies and practice to faith, to give pursuit of a law career its greatest meaning. The guide illustrates how law students and lawyers develop in faith, passing through moral fields to discover and embrace a transcendent law practice--one that blesses the lawyer and lawyer's family while supporting and serving the flourishing of others. By footnoting the guide with Bible verses, the author shows law students and lawyers how closely law study and law practice are to faith, and how traditional forms of faith can guide and support a law student and lawyer in professional development. Even those who do not sense law studies and law practice to be spiritual pursuits can benefit from this unique and thought-provoking text. Chapters include: Introduction: Law as an Expression of Faith (Morality, Faith, Redemption, Transformation); Chapter 1: Law Studies: Challenges Strengthening Faith (Belief, Obedience, Honesty, Truth); Chapter 2: Law Knowledge: Faith at Law's Foundations (Love, Covenant, Provision, Community); Chapter 3: Law Skills: Faith Informing Services (Reason, Relationship, Counsel, Discernment); Chapter 4: Law Identity: Becoming a Lawyer of Faith (Calling, Character, Fitness, Responsibility); Chapter 5: Law Practice: The Demonstration of Faith (Service, Stewardship, Diligence, Charity); Conclusion: Faithful Professionals; Suggested Readings