Fireside chat explores law, faith, and trust at National Orthodox Attorney Retreat

Kansasville, WI — In a warm, informal setting before a crackling fireplace at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center, leading Orthodox attorneys gathered for a candid “fireside chat” that blended professional experience with reflections on faith, governance, and service.

The discussion was part of the National Orthodox Attorney Retreat, hosted by the Orthodox Christian Attorney Network (OCAN), a national organization dedicated to helping attorneys integrate their legal careers with their spiritual lives. The retreat itself is designed as a time of “spiritual renewal, rest, and fellowship,” encouraging attorneys to reflect on their vocation as both legal professionals and servants of Christ.

The fireside chat titled “Stories from the Trenches” featured seasoned attorneys sharing real-world insights from decades of legal practice within the Church.

Among the panelists was George Tsougarakis, General Counsel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, joined by OCAN board member Joan Berg, also from the GOA, and Louis Milicich, representing the Serbian Orthodox Church. The participants reflected upon the complexities of serving as legal counsel in faith-based institutions—where legal obligations, governance structures, and pastoral realities often intersect.

A recurring theme was the unique nature of Church governance. Unlike typical nonprofit organizations, the Church operates through layered authority—spiritual, canonical, and institutional—which requires attorneys to understand not only civil law but also ecclesiastical structure and tradition.

“Many issues are not legal problems at the outset,” Tsougarakis observed during the discussion. “They become legal problems when something else—often communication, process, or trust—breaks down.” Tsougarakis emphasized that compliance and transparency are not merely legal requirements, but essential to maintaining the trust of the faithful.

“In a very practical sense,” he reflected, “people cannot fully live out their faith in the Church without trust in the institution. If they do not trust how decisions are made or how issues are handled, it becomes difficult for them to engage meaningfully in the life of the Church.”