For Such A
Time As This
2006 CLF Pre-Law
Student Conference
Redeemer University College,
Ancaster, Ontario
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Click
here to view tentative schedule.
Click here to view promotional poster.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As a student who is considering law as a career,
one is faced with many decisions, and often, obstacles. It is always difficult
to be certain of which path one is to follow, and how to know if it is the path
that God has chosen.
What one can be certain of is that we live in
very challenging times, one in which evil is rampant and can be seen all around
us. The foundations of our country are in need of repair and the walls are in
need of rebuilding. Let us not be content to sit idly by, watching our legal
system deteriorate, but determine to become part of the solution, impacting our
world for Christ.
We read in Esther 4:14, “For if you remain
completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews
from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows
whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
In our case, just as in the case of Esther,
perhaps we can be used as instruments to complete God’s Will, for such a time as
this. What better way to influence the decisions of our legal system than by
directly contributing to them? For those students who are considering law, or
those who are pursuing a career in law, this conference can provide a glimpse of
just how many life-altering opportunities there are to influence the path chosen
by Canada and the World.
Aaron Ross
Christian Legal Fellowship Webmaster
Click here to register.
[student,
non-student]
Or phone Sylvia at: (204) 661-0924
Registration Prices:
Speakers and Leaders Include:
[In addition, panels of
lawyers and law students will discuss integration of faith and practice
see schedule above.]
Cal Beresh
Calvin William Beresh graduated with a BA from Oral Roberts University in 1975
before obtaining his LLB from the University of Western Ontario in 1978. During
his final year at law school, he hosted the student law conference at Western
during which the Christian Legal Fellowship was founded and was a member of the
steering committee for incorporation of CLF. With a strong entrepreneurial
spirit and an even stronger desire to take Christ into every man’s world, he
began his own law practice in 1980. He joined with another CLF member, Ashley
R. Gnys, and, together, they took over a practice established in 1894 to form
the firm of Sharpe, Beresh & Gnys in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The firm now has
three lawyers and fifteen support staff. Cal’s emphasis is on Wills, Estates
and Wealth Management.
Cal, and his wife of 31 years, Janet, have three
children, Melanie, 27, Ben, 25, and Stephen, 22. All three children followed
their father’s footsteps in choosing Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma
for their post-secondary education.
Cal has a passion to share his vision of Law as a
ministry particularly to students. He has been meeting with students on campuses
across the country and looks forward to connecting with these and new students
at the conference.
Lowell
Hunking
Lowell Hunking is Crown Attorney for the County of Bruce in Ontario. Prior to
joining the Crown's office, he practiced criminal and matrimonial law in private
practice. Lowell is the former pastor of Sawgrass Community Church in Ft.
Lauderdale Fl. and a former police officer. He continues to preach as pulpit
supply. He is married to Margy and they have two adult daughters. Lowell
writes a regular column for the Christian Legal Journal entitled "Law and Grace"
and is host of a weekly radio show of the same name, where lawyers are
interviewed regarding their faith, their work and the issues that God has them
involved in on behalf or the faith.
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh serves as the Executive Director of International Justice Mission
(IJM) Canada. As director of IJM's Canadian affiliate, McIntosh meets with
government officials, justice professionals, and business and religious leaders
to advance the cause of the oppressed. McIntosh regularly leads teams of lawyers
and investigators on international intervention efforts, provides counsel and
support to IJM staff overseas, and speaks at universities, churches, police
training events and other venues on behalf of victims of abuse.
During recent deployments McIntosh assisted in
securing the release of families from slave labour and participated in
investigative operations leading to the rescue of forced child prostitutes. His
most recent travels have taken him to Africa, to gather documentary footage on
torture, police misconduct and violent property grabbing, and to Latin America
to conduct groundwork for a new field office.
Prior to establishing IJM Canada in 2002,
McIntosh worked for four years with an international relief and development
agency as an advocate for children at risk. An ordained minister, McIntosh has
also served as a pastor in two churches in California. After commencing
undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario in London, McIntosh
earned his Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies from North Central Bible College
in Minneapolis, MN. He also received advanced leadership training through
Genesis Fellowship in Northern California, and through Executive Arrow, an
executive leadership program for nonprofits pioneered by Dr. Leighton Ford.
McIntosh lives in London, Ontario with his wife
and son.
Greg McManus
Greg is a native of Eastern
Ontario who has spent the last 20 years in the South Western Ontario region. He
is married to Lisa, a CLF board member; they have four young children who are
homeschooled. He has worked 20 + years in various areas of the electrical field
and presently splits his time between electrical contracting and pastoring Grace
Community Church. He is the Director of The John Owen Study Centre in London, an
effort concerned with the advancement of the Christian worldview with an
emphasis on a Biblical theory of knowledge and is an extension campus for
Toronto Baptist Seminary.
Michael Murray
Michael
Murray graduated from Western Law in 2006 and is currently articling with Menear
Worrad and Associates in London, Ontario. The firm practices in the following
areas - Family, wills/trusts/estates, real estate, corporate/commercial and some
general litigation. Mike was born and raised in a Christian home and became a
Christian when he was 16. He wanted to become a lawyer because he felt it was a
respected profession. He believed that even if he decided not to practice
having an LLB would open doors to other areas of employment. Mike found that
any fears he had over being a Christian and a lawyer were dispelled as
a result of interaction with Christian lawyers and his experience with CLF.
William
Wagner
Before joining the full-time faculty at the Cooley Law School, William Wagner
served on the adjunct faculty at a number of universities including the
University of Liberia, University of Florida, Michigan State University, and
Saint Leo University.
His areas of
teaching and scholarship include professional responsibility/ethics; judicial
process; constitutional democracy and the rule of law. He is a frequent speaker
at world conferences and has published a number of articles, books, and other
publications
A former
federal judge, Professor Wagner served as United States Magistrate Judge for the
Northern District of Florida. Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, he
served as the chief American diplomat for the Department of Justice at the
American Embassy in Liberia. There he led a diplomatic mission charged with
strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
Ruth Ross
Ruth Ross is the Executive Director of Christian
Legal Fellowship (CLF), a national association of legal professionals
working together to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the practice of law. After
completing her B.A. and LL.B. from Dalhousie University, Ruth practiced law in
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Ontario and is currently a
member of the Ontario Bar. Ruth served on the Executive Board of Directors of
CLF from 1993 to 1996 and was appointed Executive Director in October 2000. From
1996-2000, Ruth relocated with her family to Port Hedland, Western Australia
where her husband, Pat, continued his work in railroad management. While in the
"outback", Ruth was active in ministry-related work with the Christian Revival
Churches of Australia. She is a founding director of Faith and Freedom Alliance
and serves on the Advisory Board of International Justice Mission Canada. Ruth
is a featured speaker and writer addressing national and international audiences
on a variety of topics. One of her passions is to see men and women of faith
called, trained and equipped to bring God's Justice to the nations. She resides
in London, Ontario with her husband, Pat, and their expanding family.
Joel
Timmerman
Joel
Evan Timmerman graduated from the University of Western Ontario in the Spring of
2006 and is articling at the London firm of Dyer Brown LLP. Joel was active in
the CLF chapter at UWO for the duration of his time there, including time as
president of the UWO CLF chapter during 2005. Joel did his undergraduate work
in political science at King's College at UWO, and has been active politically
throughout his university life. A London native, Joel has been active in the
community with a focus on working with young people, especially in sports and
recreation. A proud and loyal Londoner, Joel enjoys spending time with friends
at various London hotspots, and cheering on the local London Knights hockey
club.
Maria Vanderspek
Maria Vanderspek graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in the
spring of 2006. During her second and third year of law school, Maria was an
active member of the Osgoode CLF chapter. She chaired the group during her
third year. Prior to law school, Maria attended Redeemer University College and
graduated from there with a Honours B.A. in Business in the spring of 2003.
Maria grew up in the small rural town of Norwich, Ontario which is located
south-west of London. Currently, Maria is articling with Cline, Backus,
Nightingale & McArthur LLP. In her spare time, Maria pursues an array of
hobbies including singing in her sister's choir, visiting art shows and
galleries, hanging out with her family and friends, and enjoying outdoor
activities.
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