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, and treasurers, district superintendents, general church agencies and other groups on matters of church and civil law.