By David Manukian*
Introduction
This year, the Christian Legal Institute (CLI) ran from April 29 to May 3 and featured many distinguished speakers including lawyers, legal scholars, and honourable justices. CLI started in 2009 and was created to enable students and other professionals to articulate a robust Biblical worldview in a legal context while enjoying opportunities for fellowship, discussion, and refreshment. The institute takes place in the beautiful city of London, Ontario and is situated after the academic semester ends but before most summer jobs start, giving students a chance to reflect on their learning, relax, and prepare for the next phase of their career. CLI is generously sponsored and provides the incredible opportunity to spend a week learning and having fellowship with Christian law students and professionals from across Canada.
Personal story
After having an incredible experience at the National Student Conference in February, I decided to apply to CLI, hoping for more opportunities for fellowship and learning. My first year of law school was not easy, and although I was doing well academically, I was feeling tired and in need of encouragement. CLI exceeded my expectations, providing me with a refreshing week of focusing on God and learning with other believers. CLI taught me valuable life lessons, teaching me to think about sensitive issues with a Christian worldview and trust that God is in control of even the most difficult situations. CLI was full of hope and encouragement: I completed the week with strengthened faith, refreshed motivation and a newfound sense of purpose in the vocation of law, entering the summer feeling inspired and optimistic. My experience was not exceptional. Every person that attended CLI that I have talked with expressed nothing but excitement about CLI and has a different story about how this institute has been instrumental in their personal walk. If you are curious about learning more about CLI or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any other past attendee.
““The CLI has strengthened my faith and given me confidence that God has placed me in this environment to be a light even if I am different than my peers. … The CLI is truly a life-transforming experience, and your contributions are shaping the future generation of Christian lawyers in Canada.” ”
The typical day
CLI started every day with optional morning prayer, followed by breakfast and morning worship. A devotional speaker would share a short message from the Bible and then students would have a short break before the first formal session. Starting the day with a time of prayer, worship, and fellowship set a reflective tone for the entirety of the institute and was a highlight of everyone’s experience. The rest of the day consisted of various learning sessions, including panel discussions and presentations from many different speakers. Every session concluded with time for questions, and everyone was encouraged to participate and contribute to the discussion of various issues relevant to Christianity and law. Throughout the day, there were constant breaks where students could grab coffee/refreshments and socialize with peers, ensuring that despite the very active day, they had time to relax and make friends. Longer breaks were taken for lunch and dinner, where students had the opportunity to eat with one another and with the speakers, who were always happy to answer questions or continue previous discussions. Every evening concluded with an optional social event, including a trivia competition, a theatre performance, board games, sports, and a banquet celebration attended by many Christian lawyers. Though each day was busy and packed with many things to do, there were frequent opportunities to slow down and reflect, giving students a balanced and enjoyable experience that was both fulfilling and restful.
““I benefited greatly from being able to speak with our presenters and have my questions answered by the CLF team throughout the week. The CLI was organized in a way that really allowed us to reflect on our learning. The schedule allowed us to consider how the legal issues of our day interact with one another and how we as Christians might respond to them. The breakout sessions allowed us to recap the day and consider all that we learned in harmony with everything else. The entire week was truly a memorable experience.””
The academic aspects
One of CLI’s greatest strengths is how academically engaging the learning sessions are. The sheer quantity of important topics that were covered was impressive, providing students with an extensive understanding of the many issues currently facing Christians in law. Each day had a different general theme, with the first day talking about the foundations of law and why a Christian worldview is essential in the legal profession. The following days focused on topics such as fundamental freedoms in Canada, the right to life, human dignity, family, community, and various cultural issues. A lot of content was covered in that week, educating students about issues affecting Christian Canadians and equipping them to engage with these topics in a thoughtful and informed manner.
One of my favourite sessions was a lawyer’s presentation on euthanasia, where developments in Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program were outlined and discussed. This presentation was extremely well done, discussing statistics/data about the MAiD program, legal concerns about disability rights, implications for future legal developments, and even a personal testimony that illustrated why euthanasia is a pressing and relevant issue for Christian Canadians. This was a sensitive topic, but CLI did an excellent job in providing a safe place for discussion and thoughtful reflection where students felt comfortable asking questions. The content was presented through a lens of compassion and humility, encouraging students to approach this topic in a way that is both understanding of people’s struggles and informed about relevant problems or issues in society. These sessions gave students a much deeper understanding of important legal issues, building on their existing knowledge and outlining new developments in Canadian law from a Christian perspective.
The quality of speakers was incredible, with each presenter providing valuable contributions relevant to their work. Legal experts gave thoughtful insights into difficult legal issues, lawyers shared their personal experiences with certain topics or cases, and a judicial speaker presented an incredible presentation on how to be an effective advocate. Every presenter was happy to answer questions during the group discussions or individually during breaks/meals, offering their knowledge and guidance to anyone interested. There were speakers from many different areas of law, with each demonstrating how every area of law can be used as a ministry. It was uplifting to see Christians in so many different fields from all across Canada, fostering a sense of unity among Christians in the entire legal profession. I did not realize how robust my support system was and how many people were eager to encourage and assist me in both my legal career and spiritual walk. The Institute’s speakers invested a lot of time and effort into CLI, traveling from all across Canada and preparing for a long time to deliver exceptional presentations that gave students an incredible learning experience.
““The educational component of the institute was truly exceptional. The depth and breadth of knowledge imparted by the speakers and facilitators were unparalleled. I gained profound insights into the role of Christians within the legal space and our unique vocation to be the voice for the oppressed and vulnerable. The sessions were thought-provoking and challenged me to critically examine my approach to legal practice, encouraging me to integrate my faith more deeply into my work. I now have a clearer understanding of how to advocate for justice and compassion in a way that aligns with my Christian values.””
The discussion and fellowship
As stated earlier, every session included time for questions/discussion, and there were opportunities during breaks to continue these conversations with peers. This was my favourite part of CLI, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of discussing these issues with other Christians. Some of the sessions were followed by breakout groups where students could share their questions or insights in a more intimate setting. This gave everyone a chance to contribute their ideas and fostered deeper discussions conducive to meaningful dialogue and reflection. In law school, it can be difficult to talk about controversial topics, and certain Christian positions are frequently dismissed or criticized. Although I still enjoyed having class discussions in law school and have had great experiences there, CLI gave a unique opportunity for everyone to share new perspectives boldly. It was extremely refreshing to hear these perspectives, and I felt extremely encouraged talking with other Christians who could disagree on some points while still sharing the same fundamental values and principles. The conversations I had with my peers often continued into the meals and breaks, providing a good balance of formal and informal discussion.
The food at CLI justifies its own paragraph. There were constant refreshments available in between sessions, providing a large variety of snacks and beverages. With everything from coffee and pastries to cheese and nuts, all the food was very high quality, and it was impossible to go hungry. The meals were also incredible and consisted of many different types of cuisines. The convenience of not needing to buy groceries or cook food was great, allowing students to spend more time learning and socializing.
A particularly important aspect of CLI was the fellowship with other believers, as there were constant opportunities to grow closer to others through social events, discussions during meals, and late-night conversations. The evenings were flexible, allowing students to relax in the way that best suited them. Some students went to their room early to get some rest, others went for a walk with a friend, and others hung out in small to medium sized groups doing various social activities. I met many people that shared my values and sense of humour, so I was very comfortable connecting with other students and felt a strong community presence. I formed several new friendships with people I never would have met otherwise, and I look forward to reconnecting with everyone at future CLF events.
““CLI far surpassed my expectations and endowed me with an opportunity engage deeper with my faith. The legal positions, faithful mentorship, and biblical wisdom that were provided at CLI were foundational to my understanding of how to minister through the practice of law and shall guide my legal career.””
Conclusion
I want to conclude my reflection on CLI by thanking everyone that made this amazing week possible. A special thanks to Derek, Ruth, André, Annamarie, Heidi, and the many others that helped organize the Institute. A lot of work went into preparing CLI, and I appreciate everyone’s commitment to helping students thrive. I am especially grateful for the generous sponsors that invested in the future lawyers of Canada and allowed students such as myself to experience an exceptional academic and spiritual education free of cost. I could not have attended this Institute and would have missed out on this incredible experience without the generous contributions of CLI’s sponsors. CLI has been a pivotal part of my law school journey. I am excited to enter my next year of law school with new friends, improved knowledge about current legal issues, and a deepened understanding and encouragement that, although there is a lot of hardship and difficulty in the world, God is in control and doing incredible things through his people.
*David Manukian is a 2026 J.D. Candidate at Western Law, where he achieved the Dean’s List and serves as vice-chair of Western’s CLF student chapter. David graduated with distinction from Tyndale University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in philosophy. David has been working for CLF this summer, conducting legal research, assisting with drafting factums, reviewing academic publications, writing legal memoranda, and performing due diligence. He will also be working part-time at Acacia Group during his 2L year. He has a current interest in litigation and has participated in several moots in his 1L year, eagerly striving to grow into a better advocate. Outside of work, David enjoys staying active by rock climbing, playing sports, and exploring new trails around London.