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!