The War on Human Trafficking: Part II

As a law school, we are deeply grieved by the numbers of human beings who are bought and sold each year around the world. Beyond grieving, though, we intend to do something about it. In my last post, I told of alum Valerie Payne’s (’09) opportunity to present a paper at an important conference on human trafficking.

Here are some other examples. For several years, Professor Kathleen McKee has been writing about human trafficking. This summer, for the first time, she is teaching a course on the subject (she will also be teaching the course later this summer at our Korean sister school, Handong International Law School). Not only is she teaching students about trafficking and the legal mechanisms to combat it, but she is requiring each student to draft a paper with the goal that they, like she and Valerie, will be able to influence debate and public policy on this issue.

We are also currently seeking partners to join us in training the next generation of advocates to stand against human trafficking. Upon receiving funding, the law school plans to launch a Center for Global Justice and Human Rights. The Center’s mission will be to equip Christian lawyers to promote justice and human rights around the world. It will organize, fund, and support:

1. Ten international internships for students per year;
2. Resources, courses, and training on human rights, trafficking, international protection of children, and the rule of law;
3. Annual symposium on international justice;
4. Scholarships for interested students.

Please let me know if you would like to partner with us. We covet both your prayers and financial support. A gift of $5000, for example, will send a student oversees for a summer to work with groups combating trafficking and protecting human rights. A few years ago such an internship sent 2008 alum Evan Henck to work in India with the Freedom Firm. Today, he is working full time in India rescuing women and children from slavery. With your help, we can train more Evans and Valeries. Thank you!

The War on Human Trafficking: Part I

Congratulations to one of our newest alums, 2009 grad Valerie Payne. While in school, Valerie wrote an important law review article on Human Trafficking: "On the Road to Victory in America's War on Human Trafficking: Landmarks, Landmines, and the Need for Centralized Strategy." This week she learned that her article was selected for presentation at the First Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on October 29-31, 2009.

Way to go, Valerie! Few 2009 alums anywhere have the opportunity to immediately influence debate and public policy, much less on an issue this important. I will be excited to see how God makes your efforts fruitful.

Sharing the Vision in Orlando

Recently Regent hosted a lunch for 30 or so Christian lawyers in Orlando, Florida. I had a chance to encourage them about their calling as Christian lawyers and to share the vision of the law school—to raise up a generation of Christian lawyers to join them in the practice of law. Not just any generation of lawyers. A generation of men and women who live out the lordship of Jesus Christ every day of their lives—yes, in worship on Sunday morning, but also in the law office on Monday, and in the courtroom on Tuesday, and when speaking with opposing counsel on Wednesday.

It was a very encouraging event. It is not a simple thing to practice law as a Christian lawyer (as opposed to a lawyer who just happens to be a Christian). Over lunch, our guests shared their successes as well as their challenges. They were excited to learn about our law school. I was excited to see them take concrete steps to recreating an active Christian Legal Society (CLS) chapter in Orlando.

I want to thank two gentlemen who made the event possible: 1) Jack Kinnett, Regional Director of Advancement, who put the event together; 2) John Stemberger, Orlando attorney and President of the Florida Family Policy Council, who encouraged colleagues to attend and who challenged the group to recreate a CLS chapter. I look forward to working with both of you again.

Virginia State Bar Swearing In Ceremony

One of the fun summertime events is the annual Virginia State Bar swearing-in ceremony for newly admitted lawyers. I have the privilege of sponsoring the Regent grads at that ceremony. The day is a special one for our grads and their families. It is kind of like graduation all over again—this time WITHOUT a bar exam staring them in the face.

I find the event energizing. I am really proud of the men and women I was able to sponsor—for their 85% bar passage rate and for what they will now do to serve their clients, their community, and Christ through the legal profession. Above is a picture of me with new lawyers Zach Cummings, Bethany Flitton Den Boer, ’08 lawyer Martha Glover, and Professor James Duane. Fun day!