A newly-created association for Catholic lawyers intends to combine faith, professional growth and good works.

"It's an opportunity for Catholic lawyers to serve their church and the community in which they live," explained retired L.A. Superior Court Judge Lawrence Waddington, the driving force behind the Los Angeles Catholic Lawyers Association. "We do care about people and we are concerned about people who are in trouble."

The association seeks to build a network of Catholics residing within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles who are interested in professional and spiritual growth and pro bono opportunities, said Judge Waddington, who for 25 years co-chaired the St. Thomas More Society. The Society sponsors the annual Red Mass for Catholics in the legal profession held in the fall at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

In the last few years, Waddington began to consider if Catholic lawyers could be organized to offer pro bono services. His interest was piqued after hearing news reports about the difficulties returning Iraqi veterans had in accessing benefits or resolving other legal issues. He wondered if there wasn't something more Catholic lawyers in Southern California could be doing to serve veterans and others in need.

After Waddington met with several Catholic lawyers and those in the legal community, the Los Angeles Catholic Lawyers Association was founded. The association hopes to provide Catholic lawyers with a range of opportunities for pro bono mediation or legal services --- whether it's assisting veterans, aiding the elderly, or providing counsel to an immigrant family.

The organization is open to Catholic attorneys and those connected with the Catholic legal community. It is not affiliated with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The main organizing tool of the association is a new website (www.lalawyers.ning.com), constructed by Joseph Berberich, who has a business, commercial and litigation legal practice. He is a parishioner of St. Anastasia Church in Playa del Rey.

"Most attorneys feel we have some obligation to give back to the community in one way or another," said Berberich, "by using the education and talent we have as lawyers. It's the same motivation any volunteer will give to any cause or group --- they want to give back some of what's been given."

The Catholic lawyers' website is password-protected and members will have their own profile page. There is no membership fee and participants joining the website are not committing to pro bono work, but will become aware of opportunities as they arise. The website also allows for formation of sub-groups by parish, archdiocesan regions, or other areas of interest.

Waddington, a parishioner of St. Monica Church in Santa Monica, said he wants the association to focus on building local networks at each parish. He hopes the website will assist lawyers from the same parish or a cluster of nearby parishes in getting to know one another.

"Find out who the Catholic lawyers are in your parish and build that network there," said Waddington.

With an estimated 15,000 Catholic lawyers residing in archdiocesan boundaries, organizers said they hope 1,000 attorneys sign onto the site.

Upcoming retreat
Since the new association will retain its strong connections with the St. Thomas More Society, the two groups are sponsoring the first, annual, summer retreat in honor of More, the patron saint of lawyers. Msgr. Charles Chaffman, canon lawyer and judicial vicar of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, will present the day of reflection July 12 at the Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Msgr. Chaffman will discuss the use of a spiritual journal as a means of strengthening one's spiritual life. The spiritual journals of St. Augustine, St. Ignatius of Loyola, Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa will be discussed as a model of inspiration for members of the legal community.

"In the embrace of the Father is the only safe place to be," Msgr. Chaffman told The Tidings. "If I live in the Father's house as if I am already in heaven, you see the world differently."

The Trinity, all the angels and the communion of saints can mentor people of faith today "so we can be raised again," said the priest. He will offer retreat participants a style of journaling aimed at staying connected to God through the inspiration of Catholic saints.

Antoinette Marino, who works in insurance litigation on behalf of policy holders and is organizing the retreat, said a quote by Mother Teresa guides her: "Holiness is not a luxury of the few, but a simple duty for you and me."

Marino, a St. Monica parishioner, said she likes the quote, because "I think anyone can be holy. It's really a simple thing. How do you make yourself wholesome and the person you are intended to be?" The spiritual journals being discussed at the retreat, she added, reveal how these renowned Catholics "struggled with this idea of making themselves whole, wholesome and holy."

Editor's note: To join the Los Angeles Catholic Lawyers Association website, go to www.lalawyers.ning.com. Click on "Sign Up" and follow the online instructions. Reservations for the upcoming retreat must be made by July 6 through the website, by clicking "Events." For more information, contact Antoinette Marino at (310) 445-4165.