Legal Services

Disciplinary Responsibilities:

To take all necessary legal steps to safeguard and protect the interests and rights of the denomination;
To maintain a file of legal briefs related to cases involving the denominational interests of The United Methodist Church;
To make provision for legal counsel where necessary to protect the interests and rights of the denomination;
To recommend uniform procedures for clergy housing allowances;
To preserve the tax-exempt status of the denomination's constituent organizations;
To supervise the use of the official United Methodist insignia, the Cross & Flame; and
To supervise the use and maintain registrations of the name “United Methodist”.

Additional Responsibilities:

To serve as legal counsel to GCFA;
To provide general legal guidance to GCFA’s council members, executive committee, general secretary, and staff to assist them in carrying out the mission and operation of GCFA;
To initiate and defend litigation in the civil courts, when and where necessary to protect the interests of the United Methodist denomination;
To identify and monitor litigation of interest to the United Methodist denomination;
To prepare “friend of the court” briefs in litigation matters and appeals in cases of interest to the United Methodist denomination;
To serve as a resource to annual conference chancellors (the locally-licensed attorneys for the annual conference) and treasurers; and
To provide training for bishops, annual conference officers, chancellors, treasurers, district superintendents, general church agencies, and other groups on matters of church and civil law.

Legal Department Resources