Owner and Canon Lawyer
Justin M. Wachs, Sr., J.C.D., was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Sioux Falls on June 11, 2004. During his service in the Diocese, he served as a pastor to the Hispanic Community in the city of Sioux Falls, secretary to the Bishop of Sioux Falls, Moderator of Curia, Defender of the Bond, Promoter of Justice, Delegate for Discipleship and Evangelization, and Master of Ceremonies. In 2009, he received certification in medical ethics from the Medical Ethics Certification Program of the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He earned his license and doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 2012 and 2013. In 2015, he was called into service at the Holy See in the discipline section of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2017, he left active priestly ministry, seeking a dispensation from the obligations of the clerical state, and entered into private practice as a canon lawyer, canonical consultant, and advocate.
His varied pastoral ministry provided him with a wide variety of professional experience in canon law at diocesan and universal levels: diocesan administration, liturgical and penal law, and temporal goods. He assisted with the civil and canonical restructuring of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. His work in the service of the Holy See provided him with vast experience in the reserved delicts, in particular, cases of accusations against clerics. He has experience in advocacy for priests as well as in marriage cases. He is a member of the Canon Law Society of America. He has authored articles in canon law and his dissertation was published under the title: Obsequium in the Church: Sacred Tradition, Second Vatican Council, 1983 Code, and Sacred Liturgy.
Recent Blog Posts
Facts, just the Facts
The Presumption of Innocence
The Non-Threat of the Threat of Justice
Pursuit of Truth
Recommendations
- Very compassionate and thorough.
- I am very appreciative to of have the time speaking to someone about my situation. You always want to see the best in people when you have to judge what's the best outcome for everyone. He was very professional and kind.
- I found that Mr. Wachs listened well, asked good follow-up questions, and gave sound advice. I will definitely reach out to him if I need a legal advocate.
- Clarifying
- Justin was very knowledgeable and compassionate. He maintained very good and professional relationships with all parties on both sides. I have great confidence in his knowledge of Canon Law, his advice, and his pastoral approach.
- Justin was knowledgeable, professional and courteous. I was at ease speaking to him.
- Courteous and respectful
- Mr. Wachs was considerate and helpful in getting the details. He was easy to talk to.
- Justin was very professional and patient. He made what could have been a very uncomfortable meeting a comfortable one. He answered all my questions and was very knowledgeable of this process.
- Justin was very attentive to what I had to tell him and worked very quickly to help me in a timely situation.
- Justin was a great lawyer and helped me immensely. He knows Cannon Law very well, has great connections and worked tirelessly. He kept me abreast every step of the way and simplified everything so I can understand it. I highly recommend him and his services.
