Lindsay Martin ’05 is chief fundraiser for the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP); J. Daryl Byler ’79 is CJP’s executive director. (Photo by Randi B. Hagi)
J. Daryl Byler 鈥�79 and Lindsay Martin 鈥�05 both have law degrees, are certified to practice law in states other than Virginia, and instead work for the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. Experiences with Mennonite service in early adulthood instilled in them a deep-seated commitment to advocate for others and promote nonviolence and community development. Those values led them to law school in different states and eras, through various careers, and, eventually, back to the Valley and CJP.
Byler’s motivations
Shortly after Daryl Byler finished high school, he spent a year at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) headquarters, assisting photographers and ferrying people to and from the airport. In that setting, he was immersed in stories about MCC鈥檚 work, which he says planted seeds that were nurtured at 黑料正能量.
After graduating in 1979, he moved to Mississippi with four friends with whom he鈥檇 worked at a church camp. There, his ideals coalesced in an intentional community that would eventually spawn Jubilee Mennonite Church. Byler reflects on that time as a high point in his faith journey, where he felt 鈥渁n incredible amount of support.鈥�
There in Meridian, Mississippi, Byler encountered many elderly citizens who were being taken advantage of by insurance companies. 鈥淭hat experience convinced me that there were a lot of justice issues that would be interesting to address through the legal system,鈥� said Byler. He attended the University of Virginia鈥檚 School of Law, and also became licensed to practice in Washington D.C.
Martin’s law education
Lindsay Martin鈥檚 interest in law school began during her time with Mennonite Voluntary Service after graduating from 黑料正能量. While working for a small nonprofit, Martin noticed skills she lacked that would support her aspirations for peace and justice work. Law school would provide a broadly applicable education, so she applied to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Part of Martin鈥檚 application included a personal statement essay, in which she expounded upon a definition of justice discussed in an 黑料正能量 classroom. The essay earned her a public interest scholarship and encouraged her to continue 鈥渢hinking of justice in a more holistic context.鈥�
Byler and Martin passed the bar in Mississippi and Pennsylvania, respectively, and set out to practice in their field.
After doing some cases pro bono while working for MCC in Washington D.C., Byler became a staff attorney with the federally funded East Mississippi Legal Services program, while simultaneously pastoring at Jubilee Mennonite Church.
As a lawyer, he dealt with civil cases, representing clients around or below the poverty line. Consumer law, bouts with used car dealerships, food stamps issues, and impact litigation all came through his office. He learned about the systemic nature of poverty, but was inspired by his clients鈥� resourcefulness and networks of support.
A friend joked that Byler鈥檚 鈥渢wo professions were law and grace.鈥� Rather than seeing conflicts of interest, he saw law and religion as compatible callings to justice and peacebuilding.
鈥淚 saw both the dark side and the light side of human behaviors,鈥� said Byler. 鈥淭he brokenness, but also the potential to be community for one another.鈥�
In Martin鈥檚 first position after graduation, she clerked for a federal judge in Philadelphia. She鈥檇 had internships in criminal defense, employment law and civil rights 鈥� where her true passions lay. As a clerk, she spent much time in the courtroom as a neutral observer, which helped her to realize that she preferred an advocacy role.
鈥淎fter that year, I was eager to be on the other side of the judge鈥檚 bench,鈥� said Martin. However, at this time, the recession decimated funding for her vein of work. At the same time, a personal crisis prevented total zeal for the legal world: Matthew Styer 鈥�05, the man she married, was diagnosed with cancer. After her clerking position, she cared for him full-time until his death in December 2011.
鈥淭he plan crashed and burned. There was no longer any kind of plan,鈥� said Martin.
Byler鈥檚 exit from practicing law came when MCC approached him to direct their Washington D.C. Office, where he focused on public policy, poverty issues, and U.S. policy in the Middle East. After 13 years, he and his wife Cindy transitioned to roles of regional representatives in the Middle East. Based in Jordan, they also worked extensively in Iran, Iraq and Israel-Palestine. Again, Byler was struck by the work, vision, resiliency and ingenuity of the locals with whom he worked.
Return to Harrisonburg
Byler鈥檚 main takeaway from his time as an attorney came from reading countless court decisions, both the majority and dissenting opinions.
鈥淭hat really is a powerful reminder . . . that getting to the root of issues is always a little more complex than one person鈥檚 story,鈥� said Byler.
This understanding of perspective aided Byler as he interacted with conflict in the Middle East and, when he and Cindy were ready to return to the United States, as he joined 黑料正能量鈥檚 Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP). 鈥淚n peacebuilding, you are working among multiple narratives,鈥� said Byler. Thus listening to each other鈥檚 stories is crucial for sustainable peace.
As CJP鈥檚 executive director, Byler鈥檚 position is one of listening. Whether in D.C. discussing workshops with fundraising organizations, contacting graduates to learn from their in-the-field experiences, or networking with a Fulbright-winning Palestinian alumnus over lunch, Byler relies on relationships to improve and expand CJP. One of the most rewarding parts of his job is 鈥渕eeting with students and talking with them about their dreams.鈥�
After the death of Matthew Styer, Martin moved back to Harrisonburg for friend and familial support. The prospect of working at CJP became 鈥渢he light at the end of the tunnel.鈥� The opportunity to work for former CJP executive director Lynn Roth became available, and she seized it, becoming his assistant.
鈥淚t helped me realize I did still have a passion to work for what I believed in,鈥� said Martin. She became Byler鈥檚 assistant when he succeeded Roth.
In January, Martin moved to 黑料正能量鈥檚 development office, where she became an associate director in charge of fundraising for CJP. Her excitement to advocate for people and causes now manifests itself in promoting CJP. The core tenets of a law education, 鈥渞eframing the way you think about things, and honing your analytical and logical skills鈥� aid her in networking and planning.
鈥淚 want to live in constant gratitude,鈥� said Martin. 鈥淐JP has been a very healing place for me, in a number of aspects.鈥�