A Lawyer Looks at the Trials of the Apostle Paul. Acts 24-26.

Laws are built on beliefs about the nature of man, of justice and fairness, and how best to operate a society. No source played a larger role in the development of Anglo-American (“English-American”) law than the Bible. Not only did the Archbishop of Canterbury write the first draft of the Magna Carta, but the bookContinue reading “A Lawyer Looks at the Trials of the Apostle Paul. Acts 24-26.”

OBJECTION! Calls for Speculation! 1 Corinthians 2:11.

Even before law school, I had a favorite objection: OBJECTION. CALLS FOR SPECULATION. This is what a lawyer says if opposing counsel asks his witness to ‘speculate’ on facts that are unknown or unknowable. The objection applies particularly well to questions about what another person might have been thinking. Consider these objectionable questions: “What wasContinue reading “OBJECTION! Calls for Speculation! 1 Corinthians 2:11.”

Tell the Lawyers They Need to Become Like Children. Matthew 18:1-5.

When I was fourteen our youth group went on a mission trip to Wyoming. As teens, we possessed few skills, but we could play with children. I was good at playing. And one child captured my heart, a little girl named “Stormy.” Everything about the four-year-old was cute, beginning with her name. I played littleContinue reading “Tell the Lawyers They Need to Become Like Children. Matthew 18:1-5.”

“Let’s kill all the lawyers.”

Who are our heroes? Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and Nolan Ryan? Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk? Celebrity actors or “influencers”? Political and military leaders? Let’s ask the question another way. Who is most critical to the survival of our society? We do not depend on entertainers for survival. Rich businessmen are only slightlyContinue reading ““Let’s kill all the lawyers.””

Poisonous Lawsuits. Hosea 10:4.

In his book NARCONOMICS, economist Tom Wainwright argues that drug cartels do not necessarily have more conflicts than other businesses. But they resolve conflicts with guns because they cannot use the legal system.  In other words, drug lords murder people because when a contract for illegal drugs is breached, the seller can’t file a lawsuitContinue reading “Poisonous Lawsuits. Hosea 10:4.”

The Mouth of a Fool.

I said one thing this summer that people have repeated back to me more than anything else: “Steven, you’re a good kid.  But your mouth’s gonna get you into a lot of trouble.” My father was right, of course.  I would say anything, no matter how rude or hostile or mean or inappropriate.  I hadContinue reading “The Mouth of a Fool.”