CLS Organization
Governance
Governance
Christian Legal Society (CLS) is a not-for-profit corporation incorporated under Illinois law in October 19, 1961. Pursuant to its bylaws, the property, ministry and other affairs of the corporation are managed under the direction of its duly elected and voluntary board of directors.
The CLS board, comprised of up to 25 members, including the 6 officers of the Corporation, serve staggered three-year terms. Officers serve terms of two years in each officer position, after which they must rotate off the board for at least one year. Provisions are made in the bylaws for regular introduction of new members to serve on the board. Board members are nominated by the board’s nominating committee and elected by CLS attorney members.
CLS corporate officers include a president, president-elect, past-president, treasurer, secretary and an executive director. All officers serve as ex officio members of the board in addition to its 19 regular members and have full voting rights as director members of the board. The executive director serves as the chief executive officer of the corporation. Officers of the corporation are elected by the board of directors.
The board has an executive committee with full power to act on behalf of the full board in between the three regular meetings of the board held each year. The board also has several standing and special committees. The six standing committees include one standing committee for each of the four major ministry areas, in addition to a development and a finance committee. The board also may establish advisory committees from time to time. Committees may include individuals other than board members. Committee members are appointed by resolution of the board. Board members may serve on more than one committee at a time.
Attorney members and student members may form local attorney chapters and student chapters of CLS. CLS encourages development of local chapters to express and enhance CLS' ministries locally.
Individuals who are not attorneys or law students are welcomed as associate members to participate in the affairs of the corporation. Associate members may serve on board committees, are invited to attend the corporation’s conferences and local chapter meetings and are encouraged to participate, as allowed by local rules of practice, in the various ministries of the corporation.
Summaries of 4 Primary Ministries:
Attorneys |
Law Students |
Advocacy |
Legal Aid |
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Attorney Ministries (AM)supports the spiritual walk, professional development and witness of colleagues through local chapters, educational programs, publications, conferences and opportunities for ministry through the law. Members are encouraged to develop skills in Biblical dispute resolution. Local chapters exist throughout the country to meet the needs of local attorneys. |
Law Student Ministries (LSM) encourages students in faith, connection with Christian mentors, professional development, exposure to other Christian students, and future employment. As many secular law schools have abandoned traditional education concerning the origins of law, increasing emphasis is placed on the foundations and practices which integrate faith and practice. |
Advocacy Ministries (CLRF) develops the law, both statutes and judicial precedents, in areas critical to faith including religious liberty, conscience, and respect for the sanctity of life. CLS expertise also serves to diffuse conflicts which would arise without the information or intervention from attorneys knowledgeable about constitutional protections of faith. |
Legal Aid Ministries (LAM) offers access to legal services to those, generally unable to pay, who otherwise might have no way to resolve legal problems. CLS attorneys, partnering with local rescue missions and other social service agencies, serve not only individuals and families in need, but also churches seeking to minister to the least among us, believers and non-believers alike. |
Key Organizational Documents