Attorneys mark anniversary, success of Christian lawyer directory

Attorney Blane McCarthy founded the Jacksonville Christian lawyer directory in 2008.People of faith often seek a means of doing business with like-minded entities, and searching for an attorney is no exception. The Jacksonville Christian Lawyer Directory (JCLD), a free online and phone referral service that connects the community to area Christian lawyers in a wide variety of legal fields, recently marked its one year anniversary. But the directory isn’t just for Christians.

“I am very excited to see how God has inspired, directed and blessed this venture,” said Blane McCarthy, who has been an injury lawyer since 1995. He has mediated disputes for nine years. “We have helped countless numbers of area residents, both Christian and non-Christian alike, and I’m eager to see what the next year brings for JCLD.” McCarthy founded JCLD in 2008.

Before JCLD, the task of locating a Christian lawyer involved word-of-mouth inquiries, church directories or the search for Christian symbols in advertisements in the Yellow Pages. Now, there’s a website listing legal specialties and contact numbers. Adoption, bankruptcy, criminal defense and family law are among many practice areas listed.

JCLD has three call-in-shows per week on local Christian radio stations, which air every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 91.7 FM The Gospel and every Wednesday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 88.1 FM The Promise. These shows can be heard live locally over the radio and worldwide via online audio streaming linked to the JCLD Web site. Past radio shows are archived on the website and categorized by practice areas.

In the first year, the lawyer directory has expanded its practice areas, tripled its weekly radio call-in shows and grown its “Church Law Tips” service to area pastors.

Additionally, the lawyer directory provides a wealth of free legal information. Its Web site has a growing database of frequently asked questions in many legal areas and also provides a “Church Law Tip of the Month” to all pastors who subscribe to the free e-mail service. Attorneys interested in becoming a member lawyer may e-mail the directory: join[at]Jacksonvillechristianlawyerdirectory.com.

Will Christian networks like this lead to a trend in professionals marketing various services?

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