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Orthodox Christian Attorney Network

Christian Legal Society National Conference
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel - Newport Beach, CA
Saturday, October 28, 2017 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

You are invited to a gathering of Eastern Orthodox Christian attorneys from across the country for a time of fellowship, networking, and learning from an excellent lineup of speakers. This inaugural event is a chance for fellow Orthodox attorneys to meet and build relationships across jurisdictions, and learn how to serve our Lord together through our profession.

This one-day gathering will be held in conjunction with the national Christian Legal Society annual conference in Newport Beach, CA, October 26 – 29, 2017. Participants are welcome to come just for the Orthodox gathering on Saturday, October 28^th alone, or to the entire CLS conference.

Cost: The fee for the one-day Orthodox attorney gathering itself is only $100. A special discounted fee to attend the rest of the entire CLS conference is $455.

Click here to register for the event. A special hotel group rate is available at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel.

Please help spread the word! Whether you decide to attend or not, stay in touch by providing your contact information below to

Listen to the background about this event on Ancient Faith Ministries!

receive future announcements about this and other Orthodox Attorney Network events.

Recommended for all attorneys, especially those who serve on parish councils and other nonprofit boards. Non-attorneys are also welcome, including law students, paralegals, spouses, parish council members, and anyone interested in the legal profession.

Participants are welcome to dinner on Friday night (Oct. 27th) at the home of Marilee and Charles Ajalat, Founder of IOCC and Focus North America, former Antiochian Archdiocese Chancellor , and former national Christian Legal Society Board member.

Friday, October 27, 2017

7:00 - 9:00pm Dinner at home of Charles & Marilee Ajalat

Saturday, October 28, 2017

8:00–8:30am Registration & Coffee; Mix & Mingle

8:30-9:30am Welcome

Prayer & Introductory Remarks by:

His Grace Bishop Maxim
Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America;
Diocese of Western America

9:30-10:10am Keynote Speaker

Thomas Alexander Varlan - Chief United States District Judge of
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.

Judge Varlan was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed
by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 97-0 on March 13, 2003. Judge Varlan and
his wife, Danni, have four children (and two sons-in-law) and are active
members of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Knoxville.

Panel Sessions

10:15-11:45am Session 1: “Being an Orthodox Christian Attorney: Integrating Faith &
the Practice of Law”

If our faith is to mean anything, it should speak to every aspect of our lives,
including our careers. Am I just an attorney who happens to be an Orthodox Christian?
Or is my faith integral to what I do? This session will address the question of: How does
and should our faith impact how we practice law and serve our clients?

E.R. Lanier - Judge, Municipal Court of Norcross, GA (retired);
General Counsel, Orthodox Church of America
Bill Marianes – McGuire Woods (retired); Stewardship Calling
Leon Lysaght - Professor, University of Detroit Mercy Law School (retired)

12:00 - 1:30pm Lunch On-Site

1:45 - 3:15pm Session 2: “Serving Churches and Other Nonprofit Organizations”

          (1.5 hrs CLE credit anticipated) This session will cover: ethics and guidance
          for providing pro bono counseling and representation; IRS regulations governing
          nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations; insurance basics for churches and nonprofits.
          Recommended for anyone serving on parish councils and other nonprofit boards,
          or who provide pro bono counsel and representation of churches and nonprofits.

Georgia Kazakis - Covington
Kenneth Liu - Christian Legal Society; Gammon & Grange
Louis Milicich– Dentons

3:45 - 5:15pm Session 3: “The State of American Orthodoxy”

This session will provide background on where the Orthodox Church in the
United states has come from, its current state, and where it is heading. It will
involve a lively discussion of the history of the Orthodox Church in the U.S. and
its evolution to where it is today. There will also be a frank discussion of the
history and current status of the Assembly of Bishops, as well as a report from
the 2017 Assembly meeting held in early October

Eric Namee - Hinkle Law Firm; Virginia H. Farah Foundation
Matthew Namee - Black Saber Capital Investment Fund;
Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas
John Zavitzanos - AZA Law Firm

5:15 - 6:00pm Discussion & Closing Remarks

7:00 - 9:00pm Christian Legal Society Banquet (Optional)

Support the Orthodox Christian Attorney Network.

Please consider a donation to help cover expenses for organizing the event. Donations will go to a designated account of the Christian Legal Society for the purpose of supporting the Orthodox Attorney Gathering.

Leon Lysaght - Professor, University of Detroit Mercy Law School (retired)
Ken Liu – Christian Legal Society; Gammon & Grange
Bill Marianes – McGuire Woods (retired); Stewardship Calling
Louis Milicich– Dentons
Eric Namee –Hinkle Law Firm

Stay in touch! Fill out the form below to receive future announcements about the Orthodox Christian Attorney Network.

Questions? Contact Ken Liu at kliu@clsnet.org .