Deans and the Chiefs

I returned last night from Arizona where US law deans met with the nation’s state chief justices. Very interesting meeting! One of the highlights was attending a luncheon with former US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who emphasized the need for judicial independence and the dangers and costs associated with judicial elections. I was impressed by her down-to-earth eloquence.

The heart of the meeting was a practical discussion of how law schools and the judiciary can work together on areas of joint interest and concern, like bar admissions and professionalism training. I was left with 2 strong reactions:

1. I am really thankful for the close and cooperative relationship between the Virginia Supreme Court and Virginia’s law schools. In particular, the Court’s—and the bar’s—commitment to professionalism has produced an excellent professionalism program held yearly at each state law school.
   
   
2. I am even more thankful for the close relationship between Virginia’s Chief Justice and Regent Law School. A passionate believer in our mission, Chief Justice Leroy Hassell serves as Regent’s Jurist-in-Residence. In a few weeks, as he has done for many years now, Justice Hassell will spend a week at the law school teaching classes, meeting with faculty and student groups, and speaking at chapel. Beyond this, we have thoroughly enjoyed the expanded Jurist-in-Residence program this year as the Chief Justice has spent a day per month with us, advising faculty and staff, giving counsel to students regarding job placement, and speaking with prospective students about the school. It is a great relationship that benefits students and faculty tremendously.

Moot Court Season Begins

Regent University has no basketball team. Outside of the annual, intramural Chili Bowl, we play no football. Instead, the pride of the university is the law school's advocacy teams.

The moot court team begain its season last weekend with a superb performance at a University of Houston tournament that was essentially a tournament of champions. Lindsey Powdrell and Liz Fabick took second place and Lindsey was named the tournament's best oralist. (Read the full story here.)

What makes this particularly special is that the tournament was by invitation only. The organizers invited the top 16 moot court programs in the nation (per a national ranking). So we finished 2nd among a group of super teams.

I attribute the result to the outstanding talent and preparation displayed by Lindsey and Liz, great coaching by Professor Steve Fitschen, and God's blessing on our efforts.

I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings!

John Brownlee

One of the highlights of the week was the visit of John Brownlee, United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia from 2001 to 2008.

It was a great event in many ways. Mr. Brownlee is an engaging speaker who inspired all of us with his encouragement to pursue justice with passion. He clearly loves students and they responded well to him. I most appreciated Mr. Brownlee’s personal reflections on his work in the Western District. While he handled several complex corporate civil and criminal matters, he shared that his most satisfying case was a criminal prosecution in which he was able both to obtain justice and to minister to the parents of the victim of a brutal murder.

I am always thankful—here at a school where we seek to train the next generation of Christian leaders—to learn from Christian leaders who are already serving God and others with excellence and integrity.

Congratulations to the Hamilton and Jefferson Society, our newest student organization, for sponsoring and organizing the event!

My Christmas Vacation Report

It is only January 9 but we are already finishing our first week of school. Classes, events, and meetings are going at full speed.

My Christmas vacation report in short is this. The break was very relaxing. I spent much quality time in my recliner watching way too many football games and eating way too many Christmas cookies and candies. The best part of it was having the whole family together (including Cyndi back from college) and spending time with each other. I was gone for two days to Chicago—that premier winter destination!—to speak at an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship conference, but otherwise did very little work. It was a true break!

I can’t say that I was completely ready to come back to the office on Monday morning. But it only took the sight of students filling the atrium again to remind me of why I’m so thankful to be here. I loved my break, but it’s good to be back.