When some people think of lawyers, they picture towering skyscrapers, empty offices, and a profession at times clouded by dishonesty. But for The Master’s University alumni Tim Danninger (’00) and Hugh Jackson III (’08), the legal field tells a different story. It is a path where faith and integrity guide their work, and where the law becomes a valuable way to impact lives by shining light into a dark world.
One of the most compelling ways Danninger and Jackson have seen their faith influence their respective work is by offering hope to broken people. For Jackson, his role as a prosecutor is rooted in a deeper ministerial mission. “How I prosecute a case is an opportunity for me to reflect the character and nature of God and what I believe,” he explains.
Danninger similarly highlights his daily opportunity to live out the gospel by “trying to be an example of Christ to those who are far from him.”
Both Jackson and Danninger began their education at TMU, but Danninger’s journey took a unique turn. He initially planned to study medicine but quickly discovered a passion and aptitude for law. His undergraduate experience at TMU played a key role in shaping his mindset and approach throughout his legal career.
Danninger credits his ability to think critically and reason clearly to his time spent studying Scripture. He believes that the most important things in practicing law are integrity and unshakeable standards — values he says were firmly rooted during his time at TMU.
For a Christian, the stresses of the legal field become a valuable opportunity to lean on Christ. Danninger says, “God is sovereign. He’s on the throne. And that’s part of what you learn at TMU. Any issue I have, any problem case, any bad opposing counsel, I know from that strong theological base I have that God’s still sovereign.”
Jackson says that his goal is to recognize that God has specifically gifted him for this work and to “rely on His guidance through the challenges.”
As people in influential positions, Danninger and Jackson understand the importance of filling this field with dedicated Christians. Danninger urges the necessity of “good, solid, faithful lawyers who are viewed as hardworking professionals.”
Danninger recalls a pivotal moment in his career when he was pressured to lie in court to help secure a key advantage. In that moment, the weight of the decision was clear, but so was his conviction. He knew he couldn’t compromise his integrity.
“At the end of the day, you’re called to do what’s right, no matter what,” he reflects. For Danninger, being a Christian lawyer is not just about practicing law. It is about living out his faith with integrity, even when it comes at a cost. It means choosing truth over ease and trusting that God will take care of the rest.
Despite this steadfast commitment, there’s a common generalization that Christians in professional settings are destined to fall short because they lack the willingness to do what it takes to succeed. Danninger and Jackson stand as clear refutations of this idea, exemplifying excellence without compromise.
“That’s the sort of thing we need to stand against,” Danninger says. “We do that by being a good example of somebody who can succeed in an area that’s notoriously evil while maintaining our morality and doing the right thing.”
