J. Reuben Clark

The Law Society is composed of students who share in the long-standing traditions of the legal profession and have a common interest in the attitudes and values associated with the name of J. Reuben Clark. Membership in the JRCLS is multi-faith and open to all currently enrolled law students who share in the goals, ideals, and values of the Law Society.

The Law Society meets regularly for spiritual discussions among students and with other members of the community, and particular attention is paid to the role of religion in a lawyer's life. Membership in the Law Society allows law students to meet other students in neighboring communities and other members of the legal profession throughout Kansas and its neighboring states. Law Society members are also encouraged to participate with the Kansas City Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society which meets regularly for social and professional activities.

Mission Statement & Purpose

We affirm the strength brought to the law by a lawyer's personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law.

JRCLS Philosophy

The Law Society is guided by the philosophy, personal example, and values of its namesake, J. Reuben Clark, Jr. Those values include:

  1. public service
  2. loyalty to the rule of law
  3. appreciation for the religious dimension in society and in a lawyer’s personal life

Religious Foundations

Personal religious convictions can be the wellspring of moral and ethical values applied to the practice of law. However, by the time students enter college and law school their religious and moral values are fairly well established. Technical courses in legal ethics tend to inform students of details more than motivate them to adopt broad new moral principles in their personal lives. For this reason, in addition to encouraging adherence to conventional rules of professional responsibility, the Law Society also seeks to reinforce the basic values already held by students who have strong religious convictions.

By broadly encouraging the teaching of religious and moral values within the study of law, the Law Society hopes to have a lasting impact on the development of moral foundations among law students and throughout society.

Additional Resources

For additional information regarding the origins, objective and goals of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, check out these resources: