September 30, 2009

Prayer, fellowship provide vital aid to Catholic lawyers in their work

By Otto K. Hilbert II, Esq.

Lawyers are called upon to represent their clients in a myriad of matters.  Clients expect and deserve thoughtful and prompt action.  Lawyers are of course bound by the law, or a logical extension of the law, in the pursuit of their clients’ interests. 

Faith does not play a part on the surface of this attorney-client relationship, but faith and fellowship with other lawyers who practice their faith are crucial tools to members of organizations such as The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Colorado and The St. Thomas More Society.  Faith and ethical reasoning provide an overlay to our membership. 

Obviously, laws are made by people and as such are imperfect.  Moral interpretation and ethical application of these laws are the focus of lawyers in religious organizations.  One lawyer’s analysis, in a vacuum, can easily be flawed.  Socratic debate with colleagues of faith helps in the thorough decision-making analysis that we are called to perform.

The practice of law is inherently stressful.  We are called to advocate in unlimited fact patterns against another’s position.  Too often lawyers today take on their client’s position as their own.  This is a mistake that challenges our entire profession.  A lawyer must maintain their professional distance from their client’s position to properly and unemotionally advise the client.  Where a case becomes my-lawyer-against-your-lawyer, ethical analysis and thoughtful representation fly out the window.  Religious fraternity such as we practice helps us center ourselves to balance our stressful lives and maintain the calm objectivity that results in proper decision-making and good law.

We pray not that we win, but that we do what is right for our clients and our profession.  So many times I have heard fellow guild members tell me they found a means to complete a deal or resolve a lawsuit in a way they didn’t initially contemplate, by prayer and through dialogue with prayerful colleagues.  Creativity and novel problem-solving are frequent products of quiet, prayerful reflection and serene, prayerful dialogue.

The road is rarely smooth for attorneys.  We have to handle partners, clients, courts and opposing counsel in hundreds of settings and circumstances.  Having a retreat with guild colleagues refreshes us.  We have many events, Masses, dinners and continuing legal education opportunities for our colleagues that really bring a peace and sense of higher purpose to those who participate.  The annual Red Mass for all lawyers and judges is set for 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, followed at noon with an awards brunch at The University Club.  Visit online at www.colocatholiclawyers.com for more information and events or to join The Catholic Lawyers Guild, or call 303-324-3748.

Otto K. Hilbert II, Esq., of Robinson, Waters & O’Dorisio P.C. in Denver, is president of The Catholic Lawyers Guild.

CATHOLIC LAWYERS GUILD

For more information
Online: www.colocatholiclawyers.com
Phone: 303-324-3748