Are You a Generic Lawyer?

I was in a motel while visiting Pittsburgh and, as I often do, decided to look through the local Yellow Pages for disturbing or quirky lawyer ads. One that caught my eye wasn't disturbing, but was certainly quirky. It was attorney Norma Chase's "Generic Lawyer" ad (left). In fact, as it turns out, Ms. Chase has an entire (albeit very simple) Generic Lawyer website. And I'm sure she is an excellent lawyer, and creative too. This is not about her.

My question is for Christian believers practicing law. Are you presenting yourself to the public and your peers as a generic lawyer? Are you intentionally making your practice indistinguishable from those of the multitudes of generically secular lawyers? Are you keeping your faith hidden? Or are you boldly offering the full counsel of God, the unique perspective an informed Christian faith brings to the legal realm?

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 13-16 (NIV)