Board of Visitors

The law school Board of Visitors recently came for their bi-annual visit. The Board consists of prominent lawyers and judges with a heart for this place. We talked and prayed about every aspect of school life, from admissions to curriculum to bar passage to job placement.

Our Board members are insightful and extremely creative. As usual they left us with some great suggestions. I think they also left encouraged. Probably the most enjoyable time for them was enjoying lunch with about 10 students spanning all three law school classes. Students shared their experiences and suggestions with the Board. They also energized the Board and me by sharing the sense of purpose and vision that brought them here and continues to motivate their lives.

I, too, was energized and encouraged by the Board meeting. God has given us some great friends, advisers, and ambassadors. I’m thankful for them.

An Enjoyable – and Meaningful – Weekend

Last weekend was one of those crazy, great weekends that I love so much around here. Most large spaces – and certainly every courtroom – were filled and buzzing with activity. On Saturday we hosted three major events:

1. The Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Moot Court Tournament (held Friday and Saturday);
   
   
2. The Regent Journal of International Law symposium: Immigration and the Law: Seeking the Solutions for Enforcement and Reform;
   
   
3. A Virginia State Bar pre-law day for high school students thinking about law school.

The events brought prominent judges, lawyers, professors, and policy experts to campus and showcased the talent and hard work of our students who organized and ran
the events.

My quick impressions:

• Our students are amazing. The Moot Court Board and the editors and staff of the Regent Journal of International Law consistently displayed excellence and the love of God as they worked and served our guests. In doing so they brought honor to God and to the school.
  
  
• The symposium was outstanding. On an issue – immigration reform – where discussions often generate much more heat than light, our speakers engaged one another with both depth and civility. If policy makers in Washington could somehow sit down together for a similar discussion, there would be real hope of creative solutions.
  
  
• I really miss Chief Justice Hassell, who passed away a year ago and whose memory was very much honored by our Moot Court Board. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was Saturday’s dinner sitting next to Virginia Supreme Court Justice Bernard Goodwyn and sharing together our memories of the Chief.

It was a great weekend. Thank you students and faculty advisers. And praise the Lord for his blessing on the events.

March Madness Begins Early

Congratulations to Regent Law’s moot court team! The team of Tristen Cramer, Amy Vitale, and Megan Donley just returned from New York where they competed in the National Finals of the New York Bar Association Moot Court Tournament. 250 teams entered this tournament in regional sites all over the US. The Regent trio won the award for the 2nd Best Brief in the nation and finished among the nation’s top 8 teams, losing in the quarterfinal round.

Praise God for His blessing on our students and our school. And thank you Tristen, Amy, Megan, and coach Professor Mike Hernandez for your diligence and commitment to excellence. I am deeply proud of you!

What a start to our spring competition season! Next up is our negotiation team, which is competing for the ABA National Negotiation Championship this weekend. More accurately, our negotiation teams are competing. Of the 24 teams left in the tournament (out of over 200 teams competing at the regional level), two are from Regent. More news to come!

Congratulations Judge Jennifer Dorow

A quick shout-out to ’96 alum Jennifer Dorow. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker appointed her as judge on the Waukesha County Circuit Court. For more details, check out this press release.

Judge Dorow is one of 20 Regent alums currently serving as judges all over the US (and one of 24 Regent alums who have served as judges). As a Wisconsin native, I am particularly excited to see a Regent grad on the bench in my home state—and in this case in the county where 3 of my kids were born!

Way to go Jennifer!

Back from Break: a Glimpse Ahead to 2012

2011 was a great year at Regent Law School. I am expecting even greater things for 2012. While I foresee growth in many areas, I want to briefly highlight two areas where I envision significant progress:

1) Expanding the reach of the Center for Global Justice

One of the true joys of the past year has been seeing the growth of the Center for Global Justice. The Center is only 15 months old, but God has blessed us tremendously. He has gathered together many passionate and committed students, partners in the human rights world, and friends who believe in and support this work. Here are some things I expect in 2012:

• 15 or more Regent students will serve as global justice interns this summer with partner organizations all over the world; those internships will be fully funded by friends and supporters
  
  
• Professor Dave Velloney and I will travel to Uganda in February to explore a potential summer program with Uganda Christian University; students would both take classes and work on global justice projects while in Uganda
  
  
• Representatives of over 100 human rights organizations will gather in Virginia Beach on March 29-31 for the Center’s symposium exploring how law and media can come together to promote justice for the least of these (check out this site for more information.
  
  
• The faculty will consider creation of an LL.M. program in Human Rights Law that would provide advanced training for future advocates for the poor, oppressed and enslaved

Special thanks to Ashleigh Chapman, Center administrative director for her diligent and creative work as the Center has developed and expanded its reach.

2) Exploring the creation of a Center for Ethical Formation

Legal education is in the midst of much self-reflection. Recent critiques have pointed out that law schools are excellent at training students to understand legal doctrines and to think analytically (to “think like lawyers”). As a whole, though, law schools are not as good at teaching practical skills and in training students in issues of morality and character (helping shape their professional identity).

This self-reflection provides Regent Law School with a great opportunity. We have long been committed to excellent training of students in all of the above areas, including—and in some ways especially—practical legal skills and professional identity. Alumni and friends of the school know the depth and quality of our writing, negotiation, trial/appellate advocacy training. Our multiple national and regional championships in advocacy competitions bears this out. More than this, as a Christian law school, we have been committed from the very beginning to training the whole person. Yes, we train the mind. But we also care about the heart. We are dedicated to training students to be lawyers of integrity, courage, and honor.

I believe this is the time for Regent to take the lead among legal educators in pointing the way to legal training that shapes the whole person and prepares lawyers to be men and women of character and integrity. Professor Ben Madison and Dean Natt Gantt have already done much work in this field through books, articles, and presentations. In 2012 we will explore creation of a Center for Ethical Formation that would build on and significantly expand this work. We believe in doing so we will both honor God and significantly influence the legal academy and (ultimately) profession.

So stay tuned. 2012 looks to be an exciting year!

Back from Break: a Reflection on 2011

Today the atrium was again filled with the sounds of life. Students - admittedly thinking the Christmas break was just a little too short! - returned for classes and to share Christmas experiences. It was a good day!

The end of one year and the start of another always provides a time for reflection. Looking back over 2011, I was reminded of several highlights:

1. US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was the keynote speaker at the law school’s 25th anniversary celebration. The anniversary brought back many alums and friends and gave us a chance to celebrate God's faithfulness and blessing.
   
   
2. Both Regent negotiation teams have advanced to the national tournament of the ABA National Negotiation Competition. They finished second and third at the regional tournament. Regent will have 2 of the 24 teams competing for the national championship this spring.
   
   
3. The Regent moot court team finished second at the regional tournament of the New York Bar Association National Moot Court Competition. They advanced to the national tournament where they will compete for the national championship at the end of January.
   
   
4. 12 law students served the poor, oppressed, and enslaved last summer through the law school’s Center for Global Justice. Students served in Russia, Mexico, South Korea, India, and France, as well as various locations in the United States. Overall, 2011 saw a significant - and exciting - expansion of the mission and reach of the Center for Global Justice.

These are just a few of the ways God encouraged and blessed us in 2011. In my next post, I'll share a few thoughts about what we are looking forward to in 2012.

A Pile of Stones – and the Law School 25th Anniversary

In Joshua 3 and 4, God miraculously brought the people of Israel across the Jordan River during flood stage. As soon as they had crossed, God gave them one important job: to build a pile of stones as a memorial to what He had just done. God wanted his people—and their children—to never forget what He had done for them.

Though we live thousands of years after Joshua was written, human nature has not changed. We are still naturally inclined over time to forget even amazing works of God. We still need to build piles of stones—through testimonies, journals, or even blogs!

Today I write to praise God for His work during our 25th Anniversary Celebration last weekend. We experienced the presence and blessing of God throughout the weekend. Alumni left energized; visitors grew to know us and our mission; students were encouraged and even inspired. Most important, God was glorified. From informal conversations to public testimonies to keynote addresses, God’s name was praised. While we celebrated many people and events, in the end all glory went to God.

Highlights for me:

1. Hanging out with alumni. Over 100 participated in the weekend. What a great group of men and women God has sent through this place! And they are doing really great work. Some do it in public ways, some in ways that will never make the news. They really are Christian leaders changing the world—some just do it one client at a time.
   
   
2. Testimonies. At every event, students and alumni shared their stories of how God brought them to this place and how He has directed their lives. Though scattered throughout the weekend and reflecting very different personalities, they told a consistent single story of God’s calling and faithfulness.
   
   
3. Sonic Flood concert. Our “outdoor” concert ended up being held in the Moot Courtroom because of driving rain. No problem! The band was great and the acoustics were excellent. More than that, the concert launched the weekend in worship.
   
   
4. General Ashcroft luncheon. The room was electric. Dr. Robertson spoke with joy about the founding and progress of the school. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft gave a talk that combined a personal expression of his love for students with an eloquent call for the proper role law should play in society. The event ended with a view toward the future as we shared the vision for the Center for Global Justice. Many partners joined us in this work to help fund next summer’s internship program.
   
   
5. Justice Alito banquet. 600 guests, lobster and filet mignon, and a keynote address by Justice Samuel Alito of the United States Supreme Court. Hard to mess this one up! But the night was even better than anticipated. Alum Farnaz Farkish gave a compelling testimony. And Justice Alito’s remarks were tremendous. He centered his talk around our motto that “Law is more than a profession; it’s a calling,” and he discussed the importance of meaning and purpose in the practice of law.

Praise God for His blessing! It wasn’t just a series of meetings or even a really fun celebration. It was a testament to what God has done, is doing, and will do through the men and women He calls to Regent University School of Law.

One final note. Thanks to Sean Kirnan and a team of hardworking staff and students who made this anniversary possible. Sean, Lisa Marie Otto, Courtney Jackson, Marques Goetsch, Paul Boller (and many others), you worked tirelessly, selflessly, and with excellence. You had to deal with hundreds of details, last minute changes, and mini-crises. Thank you! You brought glory to God and joy to everyone who participated.

25th Anniversary

September will be a big month around here.  On September 23-25, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Regent University School of Law.  25 years ago, observers were suspicious about the idea of a Christian law school.  Today it is clear that a truly Christian law school can produce national champion students and graduates who pass the bar at high rates and become outstanding community leaders.  A law school can be both thoroughly Christian and thoroughly excellent.

Our anniversary celebration will be a great event.  Here are some of the highlights:

• Gala banquet with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
• Family barbecue followed by
• Sonicflood concert
• Student v alumni flag football game
• Movie on the lawn
• Lunch with former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
• Shuttles to the oceanfront
• CLE's with profs
• Sunday worship with attorney and best selling author Randy Singer

If you are an alum or a student, come and celebrate with classmates, friends, and former profs.  Even if you never attended the school, come and be a part of what should be an outstanding celebration.  Check out the registration page here: http://www.regent.edu/acad/schlaw/events/law25celebration/

I can't wait!

Great Week

It is Saturday morning and I am reflecting on the fantastic week we just finished.  One of my greatest joys is welcoming a new group of students to the law school and seeing continuing students return. 

I like summer.  I enjoy the chance to travel and catch up on some things.  But a law school with no students feels awfully empty by the time August arrives.  So I felt real joy when I heard the familiar buzz of excitement--and a bit of nervousness--filling the law school atrium on Monday morning as the new 1Ls gathered.  Other joys followed:

• Listening to returning students share the successes and frustrations of their summer internships
• Introducing 3 outstanding new law profs to their university colleagues
• Celebrating alongside fellow faculty members at our professionalism service as 156 new 1Ls signed their names in The Book (gift of the '09 class) marking their entrance into the Regent Law community
• Walking alongside men and women and carrying boxes of food to their cars, carts, and even bikes at the Norfolk Food Bank during Friday's Law Community Service Day (I was just one of 150 students, alums, profs, and staff members who served at sites all over Hampton Roads)

I think my very favorite moment of the week, though, took place on Friday afternoon right after the community service outreach.  I sat outside with 7 or 8 new students as we ate pizza and shared stories of how we all ended up at Regent.  Every story was different.  But every story had the clear hand of a sovereign God who was directing us here at this place and this time.

Great week.  I can't wait to start classes on Monday!