Events

Join us at our Special Events

Luncheons on the first Thursday of the month

Lecture and CLE Events - We hold regular lecture events in the evening on various topics designed to encourage our faith and aid our respective legal practices, including providing CLE credit.        

Weekly Lawyers’ Bible Study on Wednesdays atin the lower level of the US Steel Tower. noon 

Weekly Lawyers’ Prayer Meeting on Friday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at Trinity Cathedral downtown.

We would love to see you get involved!

Join CLS  

Volunteer at the Christian Legal Aid of Pittsburgh – attorneys and non-attorneys 

Pray & Fellowship Together 

Provide Financial Assistance with a Tax Deductible Donation 

Organize Special Events 

Resolve Disputes through Christian Conciliation (CLE materials available)

Contact Us

Get on our E-mail/Mailing List or Add a Friend 

Need Prayer or Help? 

Need a Referral? 

Willing to volunteer at the pro-bono CLA clinic?

CLS E-mail List

We communicate regarding our Chapter events primarily through e-mail, so contact us and we will be happy to add you to our e-mail list and keep you updated on our events.

We also pass along to our members information regarding other local events of interest.

We hope to see you at one of our events soon!

Past Events

"The Encouraging Practice of Law" 
Presented by Samuel B. Casey, J.D.
Christian Legal Society Executive Director
August 27, 2004

Samuel B. Casey has been CLS’ Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer since June 1, 1994.  Prior to his current assignment at CLS, Mr. Casey was a partner in the law firm of Larson & Casey.  During the period 1990 through May 1994, Mr. Casey served as the Dean of the Trinity Law School in Anaheim, California, where he taught legal research & writing, legal ethics and professional responsibility and jurisprudence.  Sam has also served as the General Counsel of the WesternCenter for Law and Religious Freedom from 1988 through 1990 where he was actively involved as legal counsel in the legislative advocacy and legal defense of religious freedom and the sanctity of human life.  Born on July 27, 1951 and educated through high school in Pittsburgh, PA.  Mr. Casey received his Batchelor of Arts Degree in English from StanfordUniversity in 1973 and his Juris Doctor Degree in 1977 with honors from the University of San Francisco, where he was articles editor of the USF Law Review.  Mr. Casey has served as law clerk to California Supreme Court Justices Raymond Sullivan and Wiley Manuel.  In 1982, he also served as a deputy district attorney for the city and county of San Francisco.  Mr. Casey became a partner in the national firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in 1986, specializing in civil litigation and labor law.  Mr. Casey is licensed to practice law in California and before a number of federal courts including the United States Supreme Court where he has appeared as counsel of record or as counsel to “friends of the court” on numerous occasions particularly in cases involving the free exercise of religion or the sanctity of innocent human life.

Sam spoke to us regarding the practice of law and our special place in that profession as Christians.

“The Ethics of Decision-Making"
Presented by R. Bruce Bickel, Ph.D.
Thursday, April 1, 2004

Dr. Bickel is the President and Founder of the Transformational Leadership Group.  Among his many and varied accomplishments, Dr. Bickel is a 1966 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering and served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam war.  Many of us also recognize him as a former quarterback for the Steelers!  It was an honor to have Dr. Bickel come and speak to us about the difference between morals and ethics.  As he notes, “[p]eople are taught ethics but leaders have learned character” and “[t]he basis of one’s decision making is directly related to one’s character.”  Uncover a process of decision-making that will serve as a grid resulting in ethical decisions.

 

"Is it Pro-Deo or Pro-Bono For You?"
Presented by Samuel B. Casey, J.D.
Christian Legal Society Executive Director
September 25, 2003

Sam challenged us on the biblical calling to seek justice and mercy for the underserved in our community.  He highlights God's calling to us to care for the poor amongst us and God's promises to us in that regard.  This lecture came to us at an exciting and appropriate time for the Western PA Chapter as we were poised to kick-off our Christian Legal Aid program, which subsequently opened its doors on January 29, 2004. 

 

"Jesus:  Freedom in Christ"
Presented by Sam Deep
Tuesday, June 24, 2003

Sam Deep launched his speaking career in 1986 after 15 years of teaching and administration at the University of Pittsburgh.  Since then, he has spoken in front of over 100,000 people, his internationally published books have sold over one million copies, and his last four audio tapes have been featured on USAir's EntertainAir.  On top of his consulting practice, Sam is an adjunct professor of management and strategy at the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at CarnegieMellonUniversity.  He also hosts "Lead the Way," a radio program inPittsburgh that focuses on the leadership challenges faced by corporate executives.  In his seminars, Sam works to promote core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, continuous improvement, client centeredness and honoring God in all we do.  His presentation to us was an eyeopening, and even controversial, message for those who presume to follow Jesus Christ, and want to gain the real benefits of doing so.

 

Christian Conciliation: A Good Alternative to Ordinary ADR
Two-Hour CLE Presentation
Presented by Samuel B. Casey, J.D.
Executive Director, Christian Legal Society
March 6, 2003

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God….  First, go and be reconciled to your brother…. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.  Do it while you are still with him on the way or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer and you may be thrown into prison.
-Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:9, 23-25)-

Discourage litigation.  Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.  Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser in fees, expenses and waste of time. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will always be enough work.
- Abraham Lincoln -

 

“Can the American Legal System Be Reclaimed?”
Presented by Alan Sears
President, Alliance Defense Fund
Thursday, September 19, 2002

 

Christian Legal Society Introduction and Chapter Kick-off Event
"The Christian's War against Evil and Other Threats to Ourselves"  
Presented by Samuel B. Casey, J.D. and Delia Bouwers Bianchin
Christian Legal Society Executive Director
Thursday, April 4, 2002

Here is a link to an article published in the Pittsburgh Business Times on May 10, 2002, which highlights the Christian Legal Society and the Chapter kick-off event in April.

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2002/05/13/editorial5.html