Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course

Last week I had the privilege of teaching in the Virginia State Bar’s Professionalism Course for newly admitted members of the bar. The course is named after former Virginia Chief Justice Harry Carrico, a man deeply committed to the idea that law is a noble profession and that lawyers must conduct themselves with nobility, civility, and professionalism.

Everyone who has ever heard a lawyer joke (feel free to think of your favorite now) knows that the legal profession is sadly not always known for its commitment to integrity and professionalism. In fact, a few years ago the American public was asked to rank different professions in terms of honesty and integrity. Lawyers finished second last, just ahead of car salesmen.

But Virginia doesn’t just complain about the problem, it is doing something about it. The Carrico course is required for all new members of the bar—and it is excellent. Engaging speakers with compelling real-life examples and counsel. In depth small group discussions of common yet ethically challenging scenarios that the lawyers are likely to encounter.

What a great time! I enjoyed the camaraderie of the course faculty (leading lawyers and judges from around the state). I also enjoyed seeing and catching up with many Regent graduates among the new lawyers.

The day also made me thankful to be teaching at Regent. Here we are firmly committed to the idea that law is a calling. And that calling demands a high commitment to integrity, civility, and professionalism—indeed, to displaying the character of Jesus Christ while serving other through the law.

Judge Joseph Migliozzi

Last Friday was a day of celebration at the law school as alumnus Joseph Migliozzi (’94) was installed as the newest judge on the Norfolk General District Court. Joe will be a great judge. Most recently he served with distinction as a Capital Defender for the Commonwealth of Virginia, representing individuals charged with capital crimes. Joe combines great legal skills with a heart to serve others.

It is great to see how God is calling Regent alums to serve as judges all over the country. With now 15 Regent alums serving as judges in 11 states, we are seeing one more fulfillment of the university mission: Christian leadership to change the world.

Here is the complete list to date:

• Steven G. Rogers, County Court, Ocala, Florida
  
• Eric W. Norris, Magistrate Court, Watkinville, Georgia
  
• Raymond Thomas Lowe, Town Court, Sellersburg, Indiana
  
• Van Z. Hampton, District Court, Dodge City, Kansas
  
• Jason Price, District Court, Williamsburg, Kentucky
  
• Clarke C. Coll, Probate Court, Roswell, New Mexico
  
• Mary Covington, District Court, Statesville, North Carolina
  
• April Wood, District Court, Statesville, North Carolina
  
• Roger E. Binette, Court of Common Pleas, Sandusky, Ohio
  
• Ronald Pahl, Circuit Court, Pendleton, Oregon
  
• Greg Wilhelm, County Court at Law, Waxahachie, Texas
  
• Barry Logsdon, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Newport News, Virginia
  
• Teresa McCrimmon, General District Court, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  
• Joseph Migliozzi, General District Court, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  
• F. Patrick Yeatts, General District Court, Rustburg, Virginia

May

May is a schizophrenic month for me. Its first few days are among the busiest of the year—and the best.

We held our law school commissioning service and graduation banquet on May 8 and the university commencement service on May 9. All were great events. My favorite was commissioning, a time in which we not only celebrate our graduates’ achievements, but prayerfully commit them to God and commission them for his service. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Jay Sekulow, and Pat Robertson all shared thoughts with the graduates. The best part of all was graduates sharing testimonies of how God has worked in their lives—and looking ahead to how God might use them in the years to come.

There is nothing like the sheer joy and exuberant celebration of the graduation weekend. It—and the week before—is also a great opportunity to meet with proud parents, spouses, and children of our grads. They have all been very much a part of their students’ law school experience and I enjoy getting to know them and thanking them.

May is great until the Monday after commencement. Then it gets really quiet. Students are gone (other than a few unhappy souls already beginning their bar exam preparation!). Left behind are an empty atrium and stacks of blue books to grade. (By the way, I finished grading yesterday for any Civil Liberties and National Security students who may be wondering!)

The quiet at the end of May can be good for catching up and planning. But I miss the students already.