The Servant Lawyer: Facing the Challenges of Christian Faith in Everyday Law Practice, Robert F. Cochran Jr. IVP Academic (ISBN: 9781514007228), 2024.

Summary: An exploration of the real work lawyers do and the challenges and opportunities for Christians who practice law.

Did you have the same reaction I did to the title The Servant Lawyer? I thought many would think the phrase an oxymoron. Robert F. Cochran Jr, a practitioner and law professor thinks otherwise. In this book he considers the everyday work of most attorneys and explores the servant opportunities for Christian lawyers. While doing so, he also discusses the challenges and pitfalls attorneys face in this work.

He begins with the client and the importance of seeing him or her as someone God has brought into one’s life. This is important because the cases studied in law school and legal practice tend to depersonalize the client. He addresses affording clients with dignity, respect, love, and dispassionate advice, helping clients weigh their options. He discusses choosing clients, encouraging obedience to the law, and refusing to be complicit in injustice.

Cochran describes lawyers as builders and trustees. In drafting good contracts and helping with compliance issues, they help clients produce good products and flourish while conducting their business lawfully. They offer practical wisdom that help clients determine what is in their best interests in a conflict. This also relates to their role as advocates and peacemakers. He discusses the virtue of the adversary system and why it can be good to make arguments you don’t believe, especially when ensuring a client receives a good defense. Peacemaking, the negotiating of good and fair settlements is also part of this work.

This brings up the work of prosecution and defense. He argues the importance of prosecution for the good of society and the good of the defendant while warning of the dangers of the misuse of prosecutorial power. Likewise, defense attorneys make the state prove its case and observe procedural justice. They can have a role of counseling clients at a crucial juncture in their lives.

Much of the work of the lawyer is outside the courtroom, counseling clients, whether in business practice, estate planning, or civil litigation. Even this is subject to pitfalls. The lawyer can be godfather, hired gun, or guru, rather than approaching clients as one would a friend. He addresses the issue of disputes between Christians and with churches. While conciliation can be helpful in many cases, he notes that where the potential for harm exists or where abuse has occurred, legal recourse may be the only remedy.

Perhaps one of the most powerful chapters is on lawyers as prophets and advocates for the least of these. Cochran draws on the historical example of the Clapham sect, including Granville Sharp, in effecting many reforms including the abolition of slavery. He also cites the importance of legal aid work, highlighting John Robb’s work in this area. He challenges lawyers to tithe their time in legal aid, if possible.

Cochran summarizes the challenges of law practice he has touched on throughout. These include cynicism, pride, insecurity, and the danger of a divided life. He concludes by focusing on the societal importance of lawyers in upholding the rule of law and the personal influence attorneys have. Cochran tells the “rest of the story” of Sidney, a criminal defendant he represented early in his career who is now one of his great encouragers.

What so impressed me about this book is its focus on the everyday work of the vast majority of lawyers I know. He gives practical examples of their opportunities to serve and fleshes out biblical principle. I love to give away books and this is one I’d be excited to give to every attorney I know.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.