As a world-renowned evangelist, Billy Graham preaches grace.  His grandson, however, is committed to the law.

    A seasoned prosecutor formerly with the State Attorney's Office of the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Basyle Tchividjian has joined the prestigious DeLand law firm of Landis, Graham, French, Husfeld, Sherman & Ford.  Tchividjian, 33, said that the change in his vocation is part of personal and professional growth.

    "When you've worked there [the State Attorney's office] seven or eight years, you have to decide whether you want to be a career prosecutor or do something else," he explained.  "When you're a prosecutor, you know a very small body of law."

    Tchividjian said he had become interested in particular aspects of civil law, especially labor relations, estate planning, intellectual property and civil rights.  Under the heading of civil rights would be matters involving religion, discrimination, sexual harassment, and the First Amendment.

    "I found that there aren't many [lawyers] in this area who handle labor and employment law," he added.

    A 1990 graduate of Stetson University, Tchividjian received a law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 1993.  Shortly afterward, he joined the State Attorney's Office.  He rose to chief prosecutor in the Sexual Crimes Division.

    Tchividjian is also an adjunct professor at Stetson University and Daytona Beach Community College.  He is a member of the DeLand Historic Preservation Board and the DeLand Police Department Retirement Board.  Additionally, Tchividjian serves on the boards of several local organizations, including the I-Care Child Advocacy Center, Geneva Academy and the Neighborhood Center.  He is a member of the Stetson Trustee Religious Life Council.

 

This article originally appeared in the August 24, 2001 issue of Beacon Weekend 
and is printed with permission