A Report on the 2021 CLF Law Student Summit
Leah Baxter, CLF Articling Student
The inaugural CLF Law Student Summit took place in London, ON, from August 27-29, and was an opportunity for Christian law students across Canada to gather and be encouraged as they prepared to start a new school year. The Summit was attended by approximately twenty-five law students, representing 8 law schools from 4 provinces. A number of lawyers attended the event as well to participate in panel discussions and provide encouragement and mentorship for the students. The sessions were filled with spiritual encouragement, practical guidance, and educational opportunities.
Attendees at the 2021 Law Student Summit, August 27-29, London, ON
The weekend began on Friday evening with a law student and lawyer mixer. After registration, each attendee introduced themselves to the group, and then had the opportunity to meet and connect over dinner outdoors. After a powerful time of worship together, K.R. Davidson shared a devotional on Micah 6:8 and what it means to walk with God. K.R. discussed the importance of staying in close fellowship with God and how he has experienced God as his provider. He encouraged students to seek God for help when the next step is unclear or daunting. K.R. also explained the significance of what it means to “walk with God” through life, and shared examples of people in the Bible who walked with God.
Saturday morning began with another powerful outdoor worship session. The weather was beautiful and the morning devotional that followed also took place outside. Lowell Hunking led the devotional on the lessons he has learned from the example of Jesus – the true Advocate (paraclete) – and what he wished he had known at his call to the Bar. Lowell shared on Romans 8:26-28 and the power of the Holy Spirit working in each of us to equip us for the work we are called to do. Reflecting on his many years in the legal field, Lowell explained that being a Christian lawyer sets you apart from other lawyers but can also make you feel isolated from other Christians because it changes the way you think. Lowell encouraged students to engage with CLF regularly because it is a unique place of belonging where Christian lawyers and students are understood by each other.
The next session led by Derek Ross was about Christian approaches to the study of law. Derek described the concept of law and discussed how different philosophies and perspectives inform the development of law. He explained how religiously-informed perspectives can enrich legal decision-making, especially where questions of ethics, morals, and human rights are engaged. Derek explained how our Christian beliefs about human dignity can inform our work as Christian lawyers. The takeaway from this session was a better understanding about how our faith and commitments as Christians can ultimately make us better lawyers, regardless of the type of law we choose to practise.
Three lawyers joined the next session in a panel discussion about how we can integrate our faith and our work as Christian lawyers. Shawn Knights, Daniel Santoro, and Melanie Smith presented unique perspectives on serving clients better because of their faith. Daniel shared that working faithfully and being completely honest with his clients was one way he could serve them as a Christian lawyer. Shawn shared testimonies of God intervening in difficult situations where he took the time to pray and invite Him to work. Melanie shared her own personal testimony of God’s faithfulness in her own law school journey and legal career, and how God has helped her many times over the years to support clients with their legal issues, even in situations that seemed almost impossible to resolve. Following this session, Summit attendees had the opportunity to eat lunch outdoors and enjoy fellowship and some sunshine before the afternoon sessions began.
The CLF legal team led the next session and provided an overview on the current human rights issues in Canada to give students ideas about issues they can research further. Derek Ross began the session with a presentation on Bill 21 and the many concerning issues it raises for openly religious legal professionals, among others. Derek discussed state neutrality and the importance of religious freedom and equality. Leah Baxter (CLF’s Articling Student) provided an overview of a recent decision involving freedom of expression and the importance of this right in Canada. Lia Milousis (CLF Associate Legal Counsel) discussed human trafficking and the law in Canada. Derek concluded with a discussion of challenges to disability rights in Canada related to medical assistance in dying. Sarah Mix-Ross (CLF Associate Legal Counsel) closed the session, explaining how students can intern with CLF to gain more experience, and encouraged students to use the various resources CLF has published to learn more about these complex issues and sharpen their skills.
The next session was another panel discussion about what students can do after law school. The three panelists, K.R. Davidson, Daniel Santoro, and Nicholas Suk, provided many helpful tips and advice for discerning their vocational calling and taking the next steps of their legal career. K.R. and Daniel discussed the importance of ensuring our priorities are in the right order by keeping God first and allowing Him to provide opportunities and direction. Nicholas explained how students can get the most out of their articling experience by taking initiative and asking questions, and not being afraid to learn from mistakes. Daniel and K.R. also spoke to the issue of balancing work and other responsibilities such as family, and how we can allow God to provide the time we need to accomplish what He has asked us to do. At the end of both panel discussions, the students had an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.
The final session of the day involved “speed mentoring” sessions where students could ask questions they had about practicing law but may have been afraid to ask in the larger group setting. All the lawyers that attended the Summit led small group discussions, providing opportunities for students to learn about diverse practices and areas of law, including criminal law, family law, civil litigation, public law, human rights law, working in-house, and as a sole practitioner. Students thoroughly enjoyed these small group sessions and were able to gain valuable insight into the issues they face at law school and regarding decisions about their future legal career. Many of these sessions concluded with personal prayer.
The Summit culminated in a closing banquet, where students and lawyers gathered outdoors for a delicious three course dinner. Several family members of the attendees also joined the dinner on Saturday evening, and it was a refreshing time of fellowship, prayer, and worship. The entire event provided a place for many students to gather for fellowship after a long period of social isolation due to remote school and work experiences.
It was clear the Summit convened a much-needed time of spiritual refreshment for many attendees, and several students shared their personal takeaways from the event after dinner. One student discussed how the timing of the Summit provided encouragement and an opportunity to refocus on her calling after a difficult season caused by the pandemic. Another student said that he appreciated the willingness of the lawyers to share their experiences in humility and generously give of their time and talent to help students. Each student sincerely thanked everyone who made the event possible.
The evening ended with K.R. Davidson sharing some words of encouragement with the students who were preparing to go back to school. K.R., along with Ruth Ross (CLF Special Advisor) and Shawn Knights, asked all the law students to stand and prayed a powerful commissioning prayer over each of them. It was clear the Holy Spirit was at work equipping and empowering each student to return to their law school and be the salt and light God has called us to be. With the many uncertainties and challenges of our current society and situations, the Summit provided a safe place for students to be encouraged with the Word of God and reminded of the incredible calling God has placed on each of their lives.
The Summit concluded on Sunday with a church service at The Gathering Place Church, followed by a lunch. The morning message was delivered by Ruth Ross who spoke on Hebrews 12:1 and 2 Corinthians 13:5, and how to not allow yourself to be or feel disqualified. Following the church service, Summit attendees enjoyed lunch and fellowship together and the event was officially concluded with a prayer and dismissal.
For each attendee, what they gained from the Summit was likely different, but there were many opportunities for encouragement and growth packed into one weekend. CLF has been offering student-specific national events for over 15 years. The Summit was the first of its kind, but the focus of all National CLF events is to encourage and equip each law student in the calling God has on their lives, to let them know that they are not alone, and to build a long-lasting community for them. It is our hope that each student develops the knowledge and boldness they need to keep growing into the Christian law student, and eventually the Christian lawyer, God has called them to be.