New York Gets First Private Law Firm Dedicated to Representing Religious Institutions
Citing what it sees as the underserving of the religious community by the legal fraternity, Nelson Madden Black LLP, announced itself Tuesday as the first private New York-based law firm dedicated specifically to the legal representation of religious institutions and individuals.
"There are over 7,000 places of worship in New York City, and they need lawyers who understand their issues," co-founder Jonathan Nelson said in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "Religious organizations have been underserved by our profession. Meeting their needs is the calling of our firm."
The firm, led by partners Nelson, John Madden and Barry Black, who all come from different religious backgrounds, said the partners came together "with a common purpose to serve the legal needs of all faiths and faithful."
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Two of the partners have also been ordained in different capacities, and all of them have held leadership positions in their faiths.
Prior to launching Nelson Madden Black, the firm's founders each spent decades in their respective capacities contributing to religious life in New York and shaping the law affecting it.
Nelson won a highly publicized case on behalf of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, establishing its constitutional right to minister to the homeless on its steps in 2004. Madden serves on the real estate committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and was general counsel for the Lincoln Center Development Project, Inc. during the $1.2 billion renovation of the performing arts center.
Black, who is an ordained cantor who served congregations for 30 years before stepping down to start the firm, has represented religious institutions and clergy in a variety of matters including employment disputes, governance issues, intra-organizational conflicts, and even criminal proceedings, according to a statement provided to CP.
"Banks and pharmaceutical companies expect to be served by lawyers who understand their organizations. Religious clients should expect no less," Black said. "In fact, given the unique needs of religious entities and the specialized laws that affect them, it's vital for them to have counsel who are part of their world and profoundly understand it. That's what we're providing."
The launch of Nelson Madden Black LLP highlights a growing discussion on how the legal profession might accommodate and appreciate lawyers who bring religious perspectives to their practice, and how religious values and perspectives may inform particular areas of practice.
The Institute on Religion, Law & Lawyer's Work at Fordham University School of Law was established in 2001 to serve the increasing number of attorneys, judges, scholars and students who desire to integrate faith, values and perspectives in the context of the challenges of legal practice.
New York University's Law & Religion Society also provides education, debate, advocacy, and presentations on the religious, legal and policy arguments concerning religious liberty and secularism on a range of social and political issues.
In 2013 as a part of that society, NYU Law professor David A. Skeel talked about a chapter in his 2014 book A True Paradox called "Christianity and the Justice Paradox." He argued that Christians should use a more hands off approach to using law to influence culture.
