Stafford Henderson Byers

A pastor with an extensive legal background, Stafford Henderson Byers holds a bachelor of arts in religion from Oakwood University, where he was named Alumnus of the Year, as well as a law degree from Yeshiva University and a master of business administration from Dowling College. Since 1982, he has served as pastor with the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Queens, New York, counseling members of the church and delivering sermons. Stafford Henderson Byers also visits church members who are hospitalized and live in nursing facilities.

Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Byers has worked as a private attorney with Harlem Legal Services and as a visiting assistant professor of law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston. In the latter position, he taught courses in torts, law, and professional responsibility.

Committed to sharing his legal knowledge, Mr. Byers is particularly interested in the Socratic method, a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue. Mr. Byers has given presentations to various elementary and middle schools on legal topics that emphasize the importance of this method, along with critical thinking and debate.