Service

Why We Serve

One of the eternal truths that unites all religions around the world is serving others because we love them and love God. (John 21:15-17; Mathew 22:37-39; Mosiah 2:17). Inspired by the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ, members of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society are committed to serving our brothers and sisters in need.

Service With Our Legal Training

Entrusted with knowledge and training, attorneys hold places of great responsibility and trust in many societies around the world. With professional skills and experience grounded in a tradition of faith, members of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society around the world are uniquely qualified to truly enrich the communities in which we live. We strive to follow Jesus’ example by serving “the marginalized of this world, or as the Savior said, the lost, the last, and the least.” Elder Robert C. Gay, Let Your Light Shine, April 10, 2015; see also James 1:27.

Service in our Chapters

Law Society chapters are encouraged to coordinate a service opportunity for its members at least annually. This might include service to those who, because of economic circumstances, are denied relief which access to legal process might provide. A simple matrix to help your chapter organize some kind of public service within your community can be retrieved here.

Chapters should share information about the service they provide on social media using #jrclsservice so that it can be shared with, and inspire, Society members around the world. Examples of service provided by Law Society chapters can be found here.

Outreach through Service

The J. Reuben Clark Law Society links arms with other attorneys and organizations around the world who are seeking to do good. By serving with other organizations, we make friendships, build goodwill, provide avenues for future collaboration, and serve more people. Click here for a Program Guide with ideas and contacts for service projects your chapter can do in your community.

• Helpful Resources
• ABA Disaster Relief Pro Bono Portal
• JRCLS Service Committee webpage
• Click to read 5 tips for starting a pro bono service project in: Português, English, Español

Workings of the Committee

Under the direction of the Operating Committee and the Board of Directors, the Service and Outreach Committee has responsibility for the following areas of emphasis within the Law Society:

1. Assist chapters and chapter members in providing service within their local communities.
2. Assist with local, national and international outreach to other service organizations and persons and organizations of influence throughout the world. Our Committee is currently focused on four service areas and continuing to build out our teaming relationships in each:
• CLAMAR (expanding into Latin America and expanding in US);
• Immigration and refugees (e.g., AIC, No Mas);
• Combating Sexual Exploitation (i.e., NCOSE);
• Disaster Relief (i.e., ABA, LDS Charities, Equal Justice Works); and
3. Identify and recognize individuals or groups whose service to others exemplifies the principles and ideals of the Law Society.
4. Nominate individuals or groups for the prestigious Franklin S. Richards Award.

The Service and Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss progress toward annual goals. These goals are based on the areas of emphasis set forth above and are designed to help Law Society Chapters and Chapter members build goodwill and increase their influence for good in the world.