Mission Statement
“To ensure legal stability of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. through the implementation of preventative maintenance practices and other legal dynamics.”
The goal of the Office of the General Counsel is to provide legal services to the Church Of God In Christ, Inc., and its constituency. The office provides legal counsel with a specialty in ecclesiastical law and knowledge of the legal processes of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. It is the intention of this office to enable the church and its members to minimize the risk of litigation, protect its assets, and ensure constitutional rights.
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Overview
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
A. The major responsibility of the Office of General Counsel is to ensure that the legal rights of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. and its members are protected, and that their legal obligations are met in a timely manner.
B. Any officer or member who requires legal advice in any matter should contact the Office of General Counsel.
C. All matters submitted to the Office of General Counsel should be in writing, with all documentation, as soon as is practical.
D. The Office of General Counsel should be consulted in advance on the following specific matters, among others:
contracts and agreements
subpoenas and other legal documents
governmental investigations
proposed actions entailing a risk of civil or criminal liability
terminations of employees
matters of sexual misconduct
press inquiries regarding church affairs
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Judge Enoch Perry, III
Judge Enoch Perry, IIIJudge Enoch Perry, III is a well-known litigator and negotiator both locally and nationally. For over 14 years, he as served as General Counsel of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc., having the legal oversight of its churches worldwide. He has conducted seminars and published reference books on the topics of church law, sexual misconduct and legal procedures. Judge Perry is an expert in church law while maintaining a private practice in Mitchellville, Maryland, where he specializes in non-profit organizations, family law and personal injury.
Judge Perry was born in Trenton, New Jersey and educated within that city’s school system. After his high school graduation, he served honorably in the United States Air Force. In 1969, he graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology.
In 1972, he graduated from Howard University School of Law with a Degree of Doctorate of Juris Prudence. He assumed numerous legal positions in the private sector and the Federal government. Judge Perry’s earliest responsibilities as a law clerk landed him positions at the private firm of Haley, Bader & Potts as well as standings at the Department of Justice and the U. S. Commission on Civil Rights. In 1974, a job at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a conciliator quickly segued into a more prominent position of trial attorney, and subsequently a Federal Administrative Judge. He served in that capacity until his retirement.
Judge Perry will be the first to admit that all of these accomplishments would have been impossible without the grace and mercies of God. In 1981, he resolutely committed his life to Jesus Christ after joining Refreshing Springs Church Of God In Christ. He was subsequently appointed to the church’s Deacon and Trustee Boards. Judge Perry answered the call to the ministry and was ordained as an elder. He was appointed to teach a new member’s class. He was later appointed as Vice-chairman of the church’s Ministerial Board and District Sunday School Superintendent.
In 1993, Elder Perry was appointed pastor of the Jerusalem Church Of God In Christ, in Washington, D.C. That same year, he was selected by the late Presiding Bishop L. H. Ford to serve as Chairman of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc.’s National Lawyers’ Committee. Subsequently, he was selected to serve as the General Counsel for the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. Since that time, he has humbly served under four administrations of this great church; conducting seminars and trainings across the length of the country and representing the church locally, nationally and internationally.
Judge Perry is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, the state of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the state of Tennessee, the Supreme Court of the United States and a host of lesser courts.
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Services
The Office of the General Counsel offers the following services:
Geographically based Sexual Misconduct Seminars
Cogictized bylaws, articles of incorporation and other church documents.
501 (c)(3) organization and other non-profit organizations including, but not limited to, economic & community development corporations.
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Contact Us
Thank you for visiting the Office of the General Counsel. It is our privilege and honor to address any legal need or question that you may have. You may contact our office using the information below or by completing the form.
Office of the General Counsel
Judge Enoch Perry, III
1413 Fairlakes Place
Mitchellville, MD 20721
(301) 499-2769 – office
(301) 499-3419 – fax
Email Addresses: [email protected]