Who We Are

Our Founder

Methodist Justice Ministry (MJM) was founded in 2006 by Reverend and attorney Brooks Harrington, a Fort Worth native with a distinguished background in law and ministry. Brooks attended Yale and Oklahoma University before serving three years as a US Marine infantry officer. He then pursued a law degree at George Washington University Law School in Washington D.C., and after graduating, he joined the faculty there for two years. 

In 1978, he was appointed as a federal criminal prosecutor in Washington D.C. by the Carter Administration. During the Reagan administration, Brooks advanced to Deputy Chief of Felony Trial, overseeing the prosecution of violent crimes, including homicides, rapes, and sexual crimes against children. During this period, he prosecuted eight first-degree murder cases to jury verdicts, gaining a deep understanding of the cycles of violence, poverty, and drug abuse in the community. 

In 1983, Brooks returned to Fort Worth to practice civil litigation law, focusing on medical malpractice defense for a decade. Despite his success, he felt a calling to ministry and graduated summa cum laude from Perkins School of Theology at S.M.U. in 1994, subsequently becoming an ordained minister. He served as the senior pastor of Diamond Hill United Methodist Church in north Fort Worth for five years, ministering to a low-income community plagued by poverty, hunger, gang activity, and drug abuse. 

Brooks desired to combine his faith and legal expertise, to create long-lasting change in our community, which led him to establish MJM, a 501(c)(3) organization through First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth. Since its inception, MJM has filed over 1,200 lawsuits, advocating for more than 3,000 indigent victims of abuse and neglect. Today, Aaryn Landers Lamb, the Executive Director, leads MJM, ensuring that Brooks’ legacy of justice and compassion continues. 

MJM Team

Aaryn Landers Lamb

Executive Director

Yajaera Chatterson

Development Director

Jodie Connaughton

Legal Director

Norma Serrano Castilla

Legal Assistant and Office Manager

Jonathan Turner

Attorney

Maria Gaby Cena

Intake Specialist

Ada Castaneda

Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors

Nelson Holm, Chair
Stephen Black
Susan Cheyne
Jerry Colwell
Sandra Garcia
Bob Haslam
Courtney Holm
Tye McClure
Ashley McCollum
Carol McQuien
Cindy Mendoza
Mike Moncrief
Greg Monroe
Manny Ramirez
Monica Vasquez

Ex-Officio

Thane Arther, Associate Director of Finance at FUMCFW
Rev. Brenda Brooks-Alexander, Associate Pastor at FUMCFW
Rev. Lance Marshall, Senior Pastor at FUMCFW

Awards

2024– Pro Bono Award by the State Bar of Texas for MJM’s outstanding contribution toward guaranteeing access to the legal system for the poor.

2023– Certificate of Appreciation to MJM from the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office for outstanding work with crime victims.

2022– J. Chrys Dougherty Legal Services Award to Founder Brooks Harrington 

2018– MJM was named one of the top law firms in Fort Worth Magazine

2013– Charlesetta Milling CPS Black History Award for improving the lives of children in Tarrant County

2007– Newgate Award by the United Methodist Church Central Texas