by Anyaeleh Aryee, JD Candidate 2027, University of Ottawa CLF President
“All Your words are true; all Your
righteous laws are eternal.”
This year’s Christian Legal Fellowship (CLF) National Conference was held in New Westminster, British Columbia, at the charming Inn at the Quay. The venue overlooked the Fraser River and became the backdrop to my first National Conference experience.
I hail from Ottawa, Ontario. I hesitated to register for the National Conference, knowing that travelling to the west coast would cost more than I could afford. Thankfully, I was encouraged by CLF staff and CLF uOttawa alumni to take advantage of the student sponsorship generously reserved for students in situations like mine. With the help of a CLF sponsorship, I made it to a compelling and transformative weekend of legal training and meditation on God’s true and eternal words.
SETTING THE TONE FOR THE conference
The conference weekend started off with a welcome social on Thursday evening, hosted by Elsie Abang. Friday morning began with prayer, breakfast, worship, and a devotional led by Marie-Louise Fast (CLF Board Vice-Chair), which focused on our theme verse, Psalm 119:160. We considered the fact that situational ethics – as pervasive as the idea is – do not replace God’s truth. We meditated on some of the core truths God has committed to us, including His love for us, His desire for us to thrive and flourish, and His justice and righteousness. Throughout the rest of the conference this message was echoed: that God’s truth is the reason and the frame in which we pursue justice.
The substantive program opened with a panel discussion on mental wellbeing: “Held in the Valley, Faith, Mental Wellness, and Hope”. In this session moderated by Vivian Clemence, we heard from lawyers Peter Anderson, Renée Short, and Winston Sayson, KC about how God’s faithful presence and enduring truth preserve us in difficult seasons. The panelists’ words were full of grace as they encouraged us to consider how we establish boundaries and make work-life choices that honour our priorities, while remaining watchful and seeking help when signs of mental distress arise. We were urged to create a dynamic and flexible rhythm of intensity and recovery in order to maintain a sustainable practice.
SUBSTANTIVE SESSIONS
The group then broke off into two sessions: one, on charity law, and the other, on physician-assisted death (or medical assistance in dying/MAID) and its Charter implications. I had the pleasure of sitting in on the charity law session, which featured lawyers Stephen Hsia, Luke Johnson and Rhys Volkenant, moderated by law student Yvonne Oni. The panelists presented key legal updates and developments affecting charities and churches, as well as potential shifts to keep monitoring.
In the other room, lawyers Gwendoline Allison, Geoffrey Cowper, KC, and Geoffrey Trotter gave an update on assisted death and its evolution in our society. The panelists addressed issues surrounding equality and disability rights, access to healthcare, questions of justiciability, as well as freedom of conscience within this context. The panel concluded with a message of hope and a call to action.
After a CLF members’ meeting over the lunch hour, a panel of married couples co-presented to offer wisdom and lessons learned through their lived experiences. Lawyer Nancy Bergstrom moderated the discussion with Philip & Linda Carr, Ross & Merrin Thomson, and Winston & Barbara Sayson. One common thread woven throughout the discussion was that spiritual resiliency is necessary in a marriage where one or both spouses have a career as demanding as law. What protected these relationships and provided a solid foundation for navigating challenges was God’s grace through the couples’ commitment to their faith and to each other – carving out quality time and practicing spiritual disciplines together, like daily prayer and studying the Word.
Next, the Honourable Justice Paul Jeffrey presented on, “Things I Did Not Understand When I Was Called to the Bar”. His Honour started off with a reminder that law is sourced in God’s nature, so to study law is to study God. His Honour proceeded to set expectations for a career in law, much to the benefit of future and new lawyers. He clarified, for example, that in practice, a lawyer may do absolutely everything to prepare a case, but a win is not assured just because of skill (Ecclesiastes 9:11). He also urged us not to overlook the essence of our day-to-day work: human relationships.
Friday evening was reserved for socializing and fellowship, with arranged outings and dinner. And when attendees were not in sessions throughout the day, they were mingling! I witnessed many new meetings and many hugs of reunification in the venue halls. I met lawyers who have been with CLF for decades, and lawyers who had only just learned of CLF this year. At one point, I sat with other students and practitioners, and we introduced ourselves by talking about the meanings of our names. People were quick to welcome one another, and it contributed to a consistently bright atmosphere.
truth and ethics in the practice of law
On Saturday, lawyer Peter Trieu led our morning devotional. Peter discussed managing anxieties by building restorative practices into daily life. We were urged to approach our work and interactions with humility, recognizing that ultimately, work as a lawyer is anchored in a sacred call: pursuing law and justice is a pursuit of the Truth revealed.
Andrea Dickinson moderated the day’s first panel, “Called to Justice: Christian Ethics and Legal Practice”. This discussion featured lawyers Jordan Bierkos, Dennis Crawford, and Jessie Legaree, who offered ways to reframe our approach to lawyering, going beyond legal expertise. Jordan focused on integrity as necessary for lawyers as officers of the court who participate in the administration of justice. Dennis urged us to endure by knowing our “why”: participating with Christ in His cosmic work of setting things right. Jessie reminded us of our role as ministers of justice, and encouraged us to seek justice throughout our work in our day-to-day interactions.
Commissioning Newly Called Lawyers
Next, we collectively celebrated and commissioned new calls to the bar as they were encouraged and prayed over by the Honourable Justice Geoffrey Ho and the CLF Board. The moment was both joyful and sobering, as we considered the high calling of a vocation in law.
Over lunch, CLF’s Vivian Clemence led a discussion on serving and engaging our law schools. Student leaders from CLF law student chapters across Canada then gathered into groups and exchanged ideas for overcoming challenges, for cultivating spaces that enable law students to experience Christ’s hope and love, and for shining brightly for Him on campus.
freedom and JUSTICE IN CANADA
After lunch, Dr. Brian Bird moderated a discussion on “Freedom of Conscience and the Rule of Law”, with Archbishop Richard W. Smith and the Honourable Justice Kevin P. Feehan (Alberta Court of Appeal). The speakers impressed on us the importance of terminology when considering how to defend Charter rights and freedoms. Through the Q&A, we were also introduced to the idea of duties rooted in love, provoking discussion on joyful duties and loving duties.
Before we broke off to prepare for a Celebration Banquet, Derek Ross presented a Ten-Year Vision for Justice in Canada. He shared about the power of God’s handwritten word, tying back to Justice Paul Jeffrey’s comment the day before about law being rooted in the nature of God. I was struck as we contemplated that first, in the Old Testament, God’s finger wrote the law that revealed our sinfulness and the standard of holiness we could not reach on our own. Then, in the New Testament, Jesus’s finger writing in the sand delivered a message that brought grace and forgiveness in the situation of the woman caught in adultery. I gained a deeper appreciation for how law is inextricably woven into God’s redemptive plan for humanity.
Next, Derek highlighted the important work to be done in the Canadian legal sphere and society at large. Derek emphasized three key pillars of CLF’s work: advocacy, scholarship, and education. We walked through past, present, and future challenges and opportunities under each of these pillars, situating CLF uniquely at the intersection of a number of spheres of Canadian society: the law schools, the legal profession, the courts, the legislatures, the academia, and the Church.
“... law is inextricably woven into God’s redemptive plan for humanity.”
Saturday was pleasantly sunny, and conference-goers enjoyed that blessing between the sessions. I enjoyed walking along the quay with other students in our new CLF sweaters, bumping into lawyers also stretching their legs and perusing the vendors’ booths at a nearby outdoor market. In a sweet exchange with a jewellery vendor, I shared about the conference and found out she was Christian as well!
Before the Celebration Banquet, CLF hosted a special student breakout session on “Tips for Succeeding at Law School and in Legal Practice” with lawyer mentors Phil Dougan, Mariam Gagi, Julia Law, and Timothy Law, moderated by Vivian Clemence. These lawyers from a variety of backgrounds shared their top tips for meaningful success in life and law, and impressed on students the importance of guarding our hearts and minds.
As the last full day of the Conference came to a close, I felt endlessly grateful for CLF. I got to share this sentiment with a friend of mine whom I brought to the Celebration Banquet on Saturday evening, where students shared testimonials on the impact of CLF in their lives and careers, and the Honourable Justice Kevin P. Feehan delivered an address entitled “Engaged in the Law and Being Religious.” Justice Feehan reflected on the lawyer’s role in upholding human dignity through service and professionalism, and of nurturing a free and democratic society.
My friend is a Christian nurse living in Vancouver, not far from the Conference venue. Although she is not connected to the legal profession, she was encouraged to learn about CLF, to meet Christian lawyers and judges, and to hear about the important work that the organization is doing to advance justice and to protect Christians like her across Canada. We both loved being in a room full of collective joy (and great food)!
A TRANSFORMATIONAL WEEKEND
On Sunday, we wrapped up the National Conference with further meditation on Psalm 119:160, led by CLF’s Board Chair, Jonathan Kulathungam. We also looked at other scriptures that together encouraged us to run our individual races in faith, not letting our humanity limit God’s grace, knowing we will see His goodness in the land of the living. We then concluded with musical worship, singing hymns and spiritual songs in unity.
Following the conclusion of the Conference, we moved into the Christian Legal Institute Capstone and Reunion, where the room was filled with legal practitioners desiring to mentor law students and junior lawyers. I watched them surround a fellow student with encouragements and Biblical truths as she asked a question about discerning next steps in her life and career. I felt myself tearing up at the warmth of our Heavenly Father so present in the room. I felt that I was with spiritual family, and there was no more room to fear for the future. To learn more about the Capstone, see here.
“What I imagine for my own future in law is totally transformed...”
I thank our Lord for His grace through CLF and each individual in this family. I learned from the variety of stories of sons and daughters impacted by God’s good hand at work so particularly in each of their lives. What I imagine for my own future in law is totally transformed, and I pray for God to be glorified continually in all our endeavors.
Anyaeleh Aryee [pn: an-YELL-ay AH-yi] is a 2027 J.D. Candidate at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, and the President of the uOttawa CLF Student Chapter. Prior to law school, she completed an Honours Bachelor of Global and International Studies with a specialization in Global Law and Social Justice at Carleton University.
Anyaeleh is passionate about combatting child sexual exploitation and wants to use her law degree to advocate especially on behalf of Indigenous victims and survivors of trafficking. In her law school career, she has completed experiential opportunities in criminal, child protection, and family law. Anyaeleh will be articling with the University of Ottawa Community Legal Clinic in 2027-2028.
Anyaeleh is also a daughter, an older sister, a friend, and a lover of nature, writing, and art. She enjoys sharing truth and beauty with others by writing poetry inspired by creation, biblical wisdom, brokenness, and Future Hope.
Special thanks to Elsie Abang and Shubila K Photography for photographing this event.