Regent Law News

Students Return from Summer Program in Israel

2009-07-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

For 3L Kelly Duff, Regent Law’s Summer Program in Israel was the capstone on her graduate work in Middle East studies and law. For three years, she has been immersed in legal analysis and in learning the political landscape of the Middle East. For her, studying in Israel tied it all together.

“When I ‘met’ Israel,” she said, “everything came alive. It was an exciting country, a traditional country, a beautiful country, a country that represents so many paradoxes.”

Duff joined approximately 25 other students from Regent University to study Qur’anic and Biblical law and Israel’s unique international legal environment. From mid-May to early June, the group toured the country while studying the legal aspects of each site.

The itinerary included Abu Ghosh, Bethlehem, Masada, En Gedi, Modi’in, Tiberias, Capernaum, Metulla, Caesarea, and Tel Aviv, while Jerusalem and Haifa served as home base.

“The professors did a wonderful job weaving legal education into the historic surroundings and trips we took,” said Terah Gaertner, a first year law student. “Being able to see and experience a place that you learned about in class the day before made the lesson more concrete.”

Another first year student, John Tipton, recounted influential visits which he said helped him to see the legal significance of the surrounding area. “We visited the Israeli Supreme Court, the Knesset, which is the Israeli Parliament, and a Military Court in the West Bank where we were able to talk with a Military Judge. “

Students also had the chance to hear an Israeli Supreme Court Justice discuss the problems he faces in making decisions on controversial relations issues affecting religious and ethnic groups within the country. Walking out the door into the geographic context within which the issues develop greatly impacted the students’ education.

“Seeing that people with different values are living on top of one another,” said Tipton, “made it easy to understand how other countries can recommend policies that are difficult for Israel to carry out without sacrificing the safety and well being of their citizens.”

And for Duff, actually visiting the Golan Heights gave her the ability to draw lines she had not been able to before her trip. “I know it’s a minute observation, but it was important for me to see how strategically important the Golan Heights are,” she said. “They are very significant for Israel’s negotiations with Syria.”

The political, relational, geographic and legal lessons were not the only highlights of the trip, though. Floating in the Dead Sea, swimming in En Gedi pools and waterfalls, and studying by the Mediterranean are experiences none of the students will soon forget.

Regent Alumna Invited to Present Research at Human Trafficking Conference

2009-07-02T10:09:00.000-07:00

For nearly 10 years, Valerie Payne (’09) has been passionate about the issue of human trafficking. As a student at Regent University School of Law, she invested much time in researching and writing about the issue, as well as informing others about the impact of modern day slavery.

The culmination of her research was her student note, “On the Road to Victory in America’s War on Human Trafficking: Landmarks, Landmines, and the Need for Centralized Strategy,” published in the Spring 2009 issue of the Regent University Law Review.

Payne’s original article was nearly preempted by the passing of the William Wilberforce Reauthorization Act in late December 2008. Payne admits that it was tempting to abandon the project at that point, but she sensed the urgency and importance of pushing through to publication. After many late nights and with the help of the Law Review staff she was able to reconfigure the article to address concerns born out of the new legislation.

Payne’s diligence and outstanding professional efforts have recently been recognized by those responsible for the First Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Conference organizers have invited Payne to present her research at the conference scheduled for October 29-31, 2009. The conference’s mission is to bring together researchers from many disciplines, as well as government and non-governmental agencies that have responsibility for anti-trafficking efforts, to develop a research agenda.

Payne will join a group of internationally known speakers at the conference, including Dr. Kevin Bales. Awarded numerous international humanitarian awards for his work, Dr. Bales is one of the world’s leading experts on modern slavery and child trafficking. In her research Payne referenced multiple sources of Dr. Bales’ work, including his book Ending Slavery: How We Free Today’s Slaves.

More information about the First Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Human Trafficking can be found at their website. A copy of Payne’s article can be found in Volume 21, No. 2 of the Regent Law Review.

Regent Law Graduate Recognized by Alma Mater as Young Alumnus of The Year

2009-06-30T06:34:00.000-07:00

Regent University School of Law alumnus Stephen Casey’s work and accomplishments have prompted his undergraduate alma mater, LeTourneau University, to recently award him Young Alumnus of the Year.

LeTourneau highlighted Casey’s calling and passion for the law in a special “Where Are They Now?” section of its quarterly alumni publication, NOW.

After competing with graduates from nine other law schools in Texas as well as a cohort of Ivy League grads, Casey (Regent Law ’07) won a coveted judicial clerkship for Texas Supreme Court Justice Scott A. Brister.

He has also been busy raising support as he runs for a seat in the Texas legislature, House District 52, Round Rock. The elections will be held in 2010.

Read about LeTourneau’s recognition of this Regent Law Alum, as well as Casey’s solid understanding of what it means to use the gifts and skills of a lawyer to serve God, in this summer's issue of NOW.

Regent Law Completes More Making the Commitment Pledges Than Any Other Virginia Law School

2009-06-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Service to the community is a vital part of the legal profession. Year after year, Regent students show their dedication to the public through activities such as tutoring at the Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center, raising money to stock the food shelves of Hampton Roads, organizing fundraisers for disease prevention, and working at local legal aid agencies.

To recognize and promote service among law students, Regent Law’s Office of Career and Alumni Services, in conjunction with the Virginia Bar Association, sponsors Making the Commitment each year. This state-wide program challenges students to complete at least 35 hours of volunteer service each academic year and recognizes individual accomplishments upon graduation.

With 31 students completing 35 hours or more of service in the 2007-2008 academic year, Regent Law completed more pledges than any of the other 6 participating Virginia law schools.

These hours of service have been completed all over the country at various civic, religious, and educational organizations. Past and present students have found their volunteer time at the following community partners to be rich and rewarding:

California Lawyers for the Arts
Center for Global Strategies
Community Mediation Center
Family Heritage Matters
Habitat for Humanity
Harvest Outreach Ministries
Heartly House, Inc.
Holland Elementary School
Holme Roberts & Owen LLP
Ipswich Town Villas Association
Just Law International, P.C.
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia-Eastern Shore
Henry County Public Defender
National Legal Foundation
New Orleans Pro Bono Project
Norfolk & Portsmouth Bar Lawyer Referral Service
Public Interest Legal Advocates of Regent
Providence Presbyterian Church
Refugee & Immigration Services
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
St. James the Less
Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
United In Him
Virginia Bar Association Domestic Relations Council
Virginia Defense Force
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Wills For Heroes Project

Judicial Interns Enjoy a Night with Local Legal Professionals

2009-06-18T08:36:00.000-07:00

Summer is heating up and so are the court rooms in Hampton Roads. Under the watchful eyes of local Hampton Roads judges, Regent Law judicial interns are honing their legal skills in each of the seven cities’ courts.

In partnership with these courts, Regent Law’s 8-week Judicial Internship Program is giving students the chance to study the work of judges, perform legal research, and observe courtroom interactions.

Started in 1998, the Judicial Internship Program currently provides 8-week summer internships for 31 Regent Law students at 15 Hampton Roads Courts including Circuit, Juvenile & Domestic Relations and General District Courts.

In just the first week of the program, student interns have been able to sit in on civil and criminal court hearings and assist with other court duties. In the weeks that follow, many will rotate between various specialty courts, gaining exposure to the full operation of each court by the end of the program. Some interns will work on special projects for judges, enhancing the administration of justice.

Opportunities such as shadowing a public defender or sitting in on a custody hearing help students make better decisions about what sort of law they want to practice. Students also gain exposure to the types of clients that they will one day represent, an invaluable glimpse into a judges’ critique of legal issues and the performance of the attorneys in his or her courtroom, and a practical application of the legal principles they’ve been studying in law school.

To honor the program’s participants, the Office of Career & Alumni Services hosted the 5th annual Judicial Intern Banquet on Tuesday, June 9 at the Founder’s Inn & Conference Center. Summer interns, attorneys, and approximately 15 local judges and their court personnel gathered to enjoy an additional benefit of the summer program – networking.

Regent enjoys a strong reputation with the local bar and judges, and the evening was spent bolstering student exposure to the legal professionals with whom they’ll work during law school and beyond.

According to Darius Davenport, Director of Career & Alumni Services, “This program provides a valuable component of the legal educational process by allowing our students to gain first hand exposure to our courts, the heart of our legal system.”

Event speakers included The Honorable Barry G. Logsdon, Chief Judge for the Newport News Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court and an alumnus of Regent University School of Law’s charter class of 1989.

Regent Law & Christian Legal Society Launch Online Resource

2009-06-11T05:20:00.000-07:00

Christian law students and attorneys who want to stay current with relevant legal issues and become involved in a likeminded community can now do so easily. Regent University School of Law has partnered with the Christian Legal Society (CLS) to develop Cross & Gavel, a comprehensive online resource for lawyers and students who believe that faith is central to practice and study.

Regent Law is the only law school working with a faith/law organization to provide a one-stop shop Christian law web resource.

"Cross & Gavel is not just designed to encourage our own (Regent) students, but outside students as well," said Cross & Gavel Director Mike Schutt, also Regent Law professor and director for the Institute of Christian Legal Studies (ICLS). "I think Christian law students and lawyers lack the tools that this site provides—such as books and articles, podcasts and shared ideas from a faith-based legal perspective."

Schutt formalized a partnership between CLS and Regent Law in 2001. The partners brainstormed different ways the site could marry an interactive aspect to a comprehensive online resource. Since then, they worked closely with Regent website designer Lisa Marie Massato to complete the vision of Cross & Gavel. The site officially launched May 22.

"Cross & Gavel allows law professors and scholars from across the nation to be a part of the community," said Schutt. He encourages students and attorneys to get involved through sharing ideas, posting articles and networking through the forums. Cross & Gavel provides rich resources for the practice of law, as well as opportunities for students to find summer jobs and internships.

Still in its beginning stages, the scope of Cross & Gavel is already substantial and continues to grow.

"The project is reflective of Regent's mission statement—to be a leading center for Christian thought and action," said Schutt.

Visit the Cross & Gavel website for more information and to participate.

To learn more about Regent Law, click here.

Professor Kohm Weighs In On Sotomayor Nomination

2009-06-09T07:41:00.000-07:00

John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law, Lynne Marie Kohm, weighs in on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court.

A strong model for female students at Regent Law, Professor Kohm advocates woman’s roles in the legal profession and has helped to guide many female graduates in establishing successful practices. Read Professor Kohm’s Family Restoration blog for her perspective on the voice a female justice should bring to the bench.

Regent Law Professor Interviewed by E! Online

2009-05-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Law Professor Kathleen McKee was recently interviewed by E! Online regarding whether child labor laws should apply to the young children featured on The Learning Channel’s program, "Jon & Kate Plus 8," about a family with a set of twins and a set of sextuplets.

McKee agrees with other experts in holding that labor laws do not apply to the Gosselin children. The question, posed by one of E! online’s visitors, underscores a growing area of uncharted law: reality television.

With over 2.5 million users a month, E! Online is the top entertainment news site on the Internet.

Regent Law Professor Selected To Provide Expert Legal Authority in Controversial Case

2009-05-22T07:01:00.000-07:00

Occasionally a judge, within the authority granted him or her by judicial canons, will consult an outside legal expert on complex issues of law. Experts provide current insight and invaluable research which allow the judge to effectively consider all aspects of even the most intricate issues.

In late February a justice contacted Lynne Marie Kohm, John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law at Regent Law, requesting her expertise on the important components of a case involving interstate child custody and recognition of a past relationship.

Under its de facto parent doctrine, a California court granted a woman visitation rights to her former lesbian partner’s natural daughter. The natural mother has since been married, and she and the step-father have lived with the child in Alabama for the past 5 years. Alabama’s judicial and legislative traditions are to protect the natural parent as superior to any other party asserting custodial rights.

It is at the intersection of these jurisdictions that Kohm’s legal expertise on family law has been requested.

“This is a case that most states are not equipped to handle,” said Kohm. “Many middle and high courts are muddled on what is required by the Full Faith and Credit Clause, the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA), and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).”

What’s more, Kohm says the facts of the case present issues that are easily tangled with political agendas, have complex constitutional and state sovereignty questions, and have little precedent from which to guide a decision. “The scholarship on these issues is slanted in favor of homosexual rights,” said Kohm, “but it is clear that a case such as this cannot be about the parent; it has to be about the child. The law really does work to protect the best interest of the child even under these difficult circumstances.”

In addition to being an important opportunity for Kohm to weigh in as an authority on critical issues of the day, she recognizes the educational value of this project for her students. Accordingly, she has created an assistantship with five law students to tackle the research responsibilities.

Since the beginning of March, rising 2L John Bailey and rising 3L’s Jared Birckholtz, Antionette Duck, Joshua Nunnally, and Stephanie Reidlinger have been assisting Kohm in researching the application of the de facto parent doctrine, the effects of granting full faith and credit where the original court’s ruling does not coincide with the current state’s public policy, and the doctrine of the primacy of the natural parent.

Birckholtz, Duck, and Reidlinger have continued the project into the summer and have worked hard to assist Kohm in the final preparation of the memorandum of points of law and authority.

Duck sees the experience as invaluable. “The argument we’re making is the future of family law,” she said. “The crux of the issue is whether one state can define what a ‘parent’ is for a sister state, and subsequently, whether a state must give full faith and credit to a sister state’s parentage rulings.”

Duck believes that as the “family” is redefined, so too will “parents” be, an assertion Reidlinger agrees with. “As long as any third party meets the requisite factors such as a close bond with a child, a significant period of residence with the child, and significant caretaking of the child, that person may assert custodial rights to the child,” said Reidlinger. “If taken to its natural end, natural parents could be faced with any ex-lover(s) coming back and asserting custodial rights over the child as long as they can meet a vague list of factors.”

Involvement in important research that will impact pressing legal issues has ignited a passion for family law in Reidlinger who will turn her research into an article for publication. “At the center of all these cases is always a child,” said Reidlinger. “After reading the bulk of the cases on this issue, it seems to me that many of these ex-lovers, same-sex or not, are using these children as a bargaining chip or a way to advance an agenda and there is absolutely nothing appropriate about using a child for any of these purposes.”

Kohm is certain the analysis of this issue should not extend past that of the traditional basic interests of the child. “Family law must be properly applied to this case, and I am honored to present research which I hope can be a roadmap for other states in the future,” she said.

Keep up with Kohm and hot topics in family law by following her Family Restoration blog.

Regent Law Graduates Behind the Bench

2009-05-21T07:02:00.000-07:00

Fifteen Regent Law graduates are currently serving as judges in eleven states. Here are the alumni that are putting their passion for the law to work behind the bench:

Roger E. Binette (’90)
Sandusky, Ohio
Court of Common Pleas

Clarke Coll (’89)
Roswell, New Mexico
Probate Judge, Chaves County

Mary Covington (’93)
Lexington, North Carolina
District Court

Van Hampton (’87)*
Dodge City, Kansas
District Court

Barry Logsdon (’89)
Newport News, Virginia
Juvenile Domestic Relations Court

Raymond Thomas Lowe (‘96)
Sellersburg, Indiana
Town Court

Teresa McCrimmon (’88)
Virginia Beach, Virginia
General District Court

Joseph Migliozzi (’94)
Norfolk, Virginia
General District Court

Eric W. Norris (’94)
Watkinville, Georgia
Magistrate Court

Ron Pahl (’89)
Pendleton, Oregon
Circuit Court

Jason Price (’02)
Williamsburg, Kentucky
District Court

Steven Rogers (’03)
Ocala, Florida
Circuit Court

Greg Wilhelm (’99)
Waxahachie, Texas
County Court at Law

April Wood (’97)
Lexington, North Carolina
District Court

F. Patrick Yeatts (’94)
Rustburg, Virginia
General District Court

* Judge Hampton attended Oral Roberts University Law School for the first two years of his education. During his third year Oral Roberts Law School became CBN University School of Law, what is now Regent University School of Law, from which he graduated.

Regent Law Faculty in the News

2009-05-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

Law Librarian Margaret Christiansen had an article published in Spectrum, the magazine of the American Association of Law Libraries, regarding recent renovations to Regent's Law Library.

Law Professor James Duane has been active recently.

After passing the Virginia Bar in February, Duane will soon add this association to his state bar admissions.

This coming fall, in addition to his duties at Regent Law, Professor Duane will enjoy the honor of being a visiting professor at William & Mary Law School.

Lastly, in the Spring 2009 issue of the Virginia Bar Association News Journal, Duane published "She Told Me She Was Scared of Him": The Admissibility of Hearsay Evidence that a Murder Victim Feared the Accused. This article addresses the Virginia Supreme Court ruling in Clay v. Commonwealth*, focusing on the delicacy of using the state of mind exception to the hearsay rule in murder cases.

*33 Va.App. 96, 531 S.E.2d 623 (Va. Ct. App.2000) (en banc), affirmed, 262 Va. 253, 546 S.E.2d 728 (2001).

Embryo Adoption Essay Brings Law Graduate Second Place Award

2009-05-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

Carissa Giebel (’09) was recently awarded second place for her contribution to Nightlight Christian Adoptions’ Embryo Law Essay Competition.

The 2009 Nightlight Essay problem centered on identifying the rights and liabilities of fertility clinics when faced with the controversial issue of abandoned embryos. Giebel says she was intrigued by the topic because she knows it is one that could potentially impact many lives in the years to come.

Her winning essay, The Fate of Thousands of Abandoned Frozen Embryos, explores the various options available when frozen embryos are abandoned and outlines the best practices for fertility clinics.

Giebel credits Professors Michael Hernandez and Lynne Marie Kohm for their encouragement and direction in the essay.

Alum Strategically Tackling Issues of Human Trafficking

2009-05-15T04:54:00.000-07:00

Regent alumnus Kyle Westaway (’07) is a self-proclaimed “southern boy” from Knoxville, Tennessee. However, from his office in Manhattan, he’s carving out a global impact larger than he ever expected it could be.

Westaway is a sole practitioner primarily representing artists, entrepreneurs and activists. His website proclaims, “We are looking to partner with those who have a DREAM, the ingenuity and courage to CREATE something that will SHAPE culture. We are committed to partnering with you to make that dream a reality.”

“I believe in the power of art to create change,” said Westaway. “But I’m no artist; the only thing I can play is an iPod. So, I’m fortunate to be able to play a key role in that process through my legal work.”

In the last year and a half, however, Westaway has connected with a non-profit that is changing culture in a way that Westaway can contribute to -- through both his legal expertise and his personal passion.

The Blind Project (TBP) is a non-profit that is seeking to leverage art and fashion to empower women vulnerable to, and rescued from, the sex trade. When he’s not managing his practice, Westaway serves as TBP’s Director of Business Development and has been reaching out to potential partners, creating a strategic business plan, and working towards gaining 501(c)(3) IRS status.

His personal passion makes this less of a legal project and more of a ministry.

“Basically, for me, it’s clear that God has a special interest in the poor and oppressed, and we in a rich western nation have the resources to do something about it,” said Westaway. “Once my eyes have been opened about oppression, inaction is not an option.”

While still a student at Regent, Westaway co-founded the campus chapter of International Justice Mission, a national agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Regent’s chapter hosted a week-long campaign to raise awareness and money to fight human trafficking.

Those efforts continue through TBP. “When I learned about what was happening at TBP, I knew I had something to contribute to the team,” he said. “The work we’re doing is about meeting a very practical need for some of the most oppressed people on the face of the planet.”

The plan is simple: poverty makes women vulnerable to the sex trade, so start by tackling the poverty. Thus, TBP has formed a relationship with after-care facilities in Southeast Asia, where women rescued from human trafficking live. TBP’s creative team has designed an apparel line which will be manufactured by these women and sold in U.S. markets. The profits then return to the after-care communities. The women are given a sense of purpose and an economic incentive to stay out of the sex trade.

In addition, TBP aims to raise awareness of the issue in relevant ways. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has the opportunity to do just that. Westaway points out, “This city is amazing because it is the center of so many industries – finance, media, publishing, entertainment, non-profits, international diplomacy to name a few. To impact this city is to impact the world.”

Crediting the influence of Regent Law Professor Thomas Folsom, Westaway says he’s achieved a place in his professional path that he never expected. And it’s from that place, in his office in Manhattan, that he is able to make ripple effects around the globe.

Regent Law Class of 2009 Commissioned at Hooding Ceremony

2009-05-13T06:25:00.001-07:00

This past Friday, Regent University School of Law’s Class of 2009 gathered at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach to share a few last moments remembering their three years together.

The special Commissioning ceremony is an intimate time set aside to applaud individual success, to pray together, and to perform the ceremonial “hooding.”

Academic regalia such as the doctoral hood dates back to the 12th century. Hoods and gowns were modeled after medieval ecclesiastical dress, likely because it was common for scholars to make vows to God as they began their professions.

A powerful image of the transition between learning and fulfilling a call, the hooding ceremony continues at Regent today.

A faculty member places the colorful doctoral hood over the head of each graduate, confirming the completion of the academic portion of their profession. Paralleling the medieval tradition, the graduates are then charged with being lawyers of integrity, committed to justice and eternal truths.

After the hooding ceremony, the law community prays that God will help the graduates uphold these principles as they work out their calling as public defenders, human rights advocates, and small and big firm attorneys.

Congratulations to the Class of 2009!

Regent Law Faculty in the News

2009-05-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

Law School Dean Jeffrey Brauch was interviewed on Thursday by a reporter from National Jurist magazine for an article on religious-affiliated law schools. The discussion focused on Regent Law’s distinctives, student life and how the school differs from secular law schools. The article is expected to appear later this year.

Law Professor Brad Jacob made a second appearance on CBN News, on Monday, to discuss the latest aspects in naming a new Supreme Court Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court to replace Justice Souter.

Regent Law Builds Relationships with Local Legal Studies Academy

2009-05-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 1st, 35 students from the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach enjoyed a day on campus interacting with Regent Law faculty, staff, and Jurist-in-Residence Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leroy Hassell, Sr.

The day’s activities included an introduction to the study of law by Justice Hassell, lunch with faculty and staff, and a mock Criminal Law class presented by Regent Law Professor James Duane.

Students participating in the Legal Studies Academy have demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in law or law enforcement. As part of their specialized high school curriculum, the students have been partnered with Regent Law to help them direct their future legal education.

“Regent Law is very excited about its continuing relationship with the Legal Studies Academy,” said Associate Dean Natt Gantt. “The Academy provides a great opportunity for high school students to learn about the law and legal studies. As a local law school, we want to do what we can to help students discover if law is in fact their calling.”

Eighty-five Percent of Regent Law Grads Pass Virginia Bar

2009-04-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

Eighty-five percent of Regent University School of Law graduates passed the February 2009 Virginia Bar Exam on their first attempt, according to the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners. The average pass rate for state-wide first-time bar exam takers was 58 percent.

"This is a tremendous success for the bar passers, and the school," said Law School Dean Jeffrey A. Brauch. "The very high percentage of our students passing the bar exam reflects many things: the accomplishment and dedication of Regent graduates, our outstanding legal writing program, our challenging curriculum, and rigorous training by the Regent faculty. We thank God for his blessing on our graduates."

To learn more about Regent School of Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

Regent Law Students Compete to Raise Money For Local Food Banks

2009-04-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

Each year, Virginia law schools and law firms participate in the Federation of Virginia Food Banks’ Legal Food Frenzy, a massive statewide drive to collect much needed food for those in need.

Regent Law students have raised the most amount of money among Virginia law schools two years running, and this year have raised the equivalent of 22,500 lbs. of food – 7,000 lbs. over Regent’s goal.

Regent third-year law students (3Ls) won the friendly competition between the 1L, 2L, and 3L classes with the help of a last minute donation putting them over the top.

“As Christian attorneys we’re called to represent the Lord in everything we do,” says 3L Mykell Messman. “The food frenzy is an example of our attitude of care and service in giving back to those who are less fortunate than we are.”

Deputy Attorney General Bill Mims and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks should release the results of the 2009 statewide Legal Food Frenzy in May.

Regent Law In the News: Alum Named District Court Judge, Professors Win Writing Award And Appear On MSNBC.COM

2009-04-17T14:02:00.000-07:00

Some employers are using the recession as an excuse to tighten up ship, reports Eve Tahmincioglu in an April 13, 2009 article at msnbc.com. In her analysis of this claim, Tahmincioglu consulted and cited Regent Law Professor and Civil Litigation Clinic Director Kathleen McKee.

On April 14, 2009, Professor Thomas C. Folsom’s article, "Space Pirates, Hitchhikers, Guides, and the Public Interest: Transformational Trademark Law in Cyberspace," was selected as the winner of the 2009 Ladas Memorial Award for writing excellence on the subject of trademarks and related matters.

The writing contest is sponsored by the International Trademark Association (INTA) and the law firm of Ladas & Parry. INTA commended Folsom on joining “a small but distinguished group whose scholarship has contributed to the field of trademarks and enhanced the understanding of this discipline.”

Regent Law alumnus and capital defender for Virginia’s Southeastern District, Joseph A. Migliozzi, has been appointed to the Norfolk General District Court bench.

The Virginian-Pilot covers the story here.

Regent Law Students and the ACLJ: Building Relationships As Zimbabwe Rebuilds

2009-04-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Regent Law student and ACLJ Deputy Director of Government affairs Jordan Sekulow, along with members of the ACLJ’s Special Operations Unit including law student T.J. Dolan, recently traveled to Zimbabwe to assist in renewing the United States’ relationship with Zimbabwe’s new “Unity” government.

During their visit this past March, “ACLJ Special Operations Unit: Zimbabwe” was able to meet with government leaders including Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Gorden Moyo, Minister of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Eric Matinenga, and former High Court Justice Leslie George Smith. The team also met with Church leaders such as Dr. Goodwill Shana, head of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and Chair of Heads of Christian Denominations, and Pastor Alexander Chisango of the Zimbabwe National Revival Initiative.

ACLJ Special Operations Unit: Zimbabwe also had the chance to help prepare lunch for AIDS orphans and widows through the ACLJ's “Be Heard” project; “Be Heard” now helps fund the orphanage at Epworth.

Zimbabwe’s new Unity government, headed by President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF (Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front) and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) parties, is working to overcome substantial obstacles including an economy that has experienced a 231,000,000% inflation rate, an outbreak of cholera, a population of which an estimated 25% are infected with HIV/AIDS, food shortages, lack of clean water, and as most well-know, political unrest.

Law Students In Civil Litigation Clinic Represent Disenfranchised

2009-04-16T06:58:00.000-07:00

Regent Law students participating in Regent’s Civil Litigation Clinic handle real client cases under the direction of a Regent Law professor - and they make a lasting difference.

A recent Civil Litigation Clinic client, referred by a local Legal Aid office, was seeking legal assistance after being denied food stamp benefits from the local Department of Human Services. DHS had determined that this client was ineligible for food stamp benefits because, according to their designation, she was an “able-bodied” adult capable of working the minimum 20 hours needed to satisfy the work requirement of the Virginia Food Stamp Manual. Yet in reality the client was unable to find and retain lasting employment as a direct result of severe impairments.

Under the supervision of Professor Kathleen McKee, third year law student Ben Willis took on her cause. After researching the relevant law, Willis discovered that while the client may not have fit into the DHS definition of “disabled,” she had been diagnosed with severe impairments. She was not, in fact, “able-bodied,” and therefore not subject to the minimum work requirement.

On March 31, 2009, Willis successfully represented the client at a hearing. DHS reinstated full benefits, a result that could have a significant impact on the manner in which the Virginia Food Stamp Manual is applied in the future.

Transfer Stories

2009-04-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

Jared Birckholtz

Regent Law’s mission brought 2L Jared Birckholtz here from a law school in the northeast.

“Emphasizing a calling throughout your education makes a strong difference in how you will function as a lawyer,” says Birckholtz, referring to Regent Law’s motto, “Law is more than a profession. It’s a calling.”

“In thinking about changing schools, it was important that I find a place where there was opportunity for that emphasis,” he says. Accordingly, Birckholtz transferred to Regent at the beginning of his 2L year, and he says his inclination was right. “It’s been liberating to be here, to be able to pray with my classmates, to be supported in my spiritual walk. The culture is completely different and it’s helped me to grow.”

More than just a place to learn the law and hone legal skills, for Birckholtz Regent has quickly become home. Often the competitive environment of a law school makes transfers feel unwelcome among students, but Birckholtz says that’s not the case at Regent. “The people are friendly; I’ve been welcomed in,” he says. “The academic competition that is here doesn’t undermine the cooperative spirit.”

Birckholtz shares that his 1L class at his previous school was incredibly unified and worked harder than he’d ever experienced. Yet for him, there was something missing. “I want to be equipped to deal with all legal issues that arise; I felt as though I wasn’t being prepared to holistically tackle legal problems,” says Birckholtz. “[At Regent], the professors present history and legal ideas in a way that embraces absolute truth, and they push us to contemplate how our values shape the way we encounter these ideas.”

While the integration of faith and law is attractive to many students, some may fear that it waters down the level of academic excellence. Birckholtz doesn’t agree, but can compare his education at his previous school to what he is getting at Regent. “The importance of academics is evident here in the way people work,” he says. “People take their work very seriously, which challenges me and keeps me working hard as well.”

Blair Toner

As a resident of a city near Virginia Beach, 2L transfer student Blair Toner has always been aware of Regent’s good reputation. It was the religious nature of the school that gave her pause. “I wasn’t sure that I would fit,” she says.

Now, after almost a full year at Regent, Toner is happy that she pushed past her fears. “When I took a minute to see how religious aspects are tied into the school, I noticed how they manifest themselves in the nurturing of students and in a concern for our overall well being,” she says.

“At Regent, I know professors care about the caliber of attorneys we will be down the road, not just what happens in the classroom today,” she says. “Regent professors put high expectations on students, but they make themselves accessible to help us reach those expectations. At my last school, I wasn’t sure that the law professors ever wanted to see me in their office. They felt distant and unapproachable.”

Toner says the professors’ attitude toward nurturing the whole student trickles down to the students, creating an atmosphere that isn’t cut throat. “The pressure [at Regent] is about how to be a better lawyer, not about how to be at the top of the class. The students understand that and consequently don’t pit themselves against you to get the cutting edge.”

Toner reports that she feels as though she fits in just fine at Regent. She is able to freely participate in class discussions and has found the community-driven atmosphere to be pleasantly welcoming.

Law Professor Contributes to Family Restoration Legislation

2009-04-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Last week, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed legislation that will require state high schools to incorporate a curriculum on marriage into their Family Life Education Program.

Lynne Marie Kohm, John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law helped work toward, draft, and testified on behalf of this legislation that will require schools to teach the benefits, responsibilities, value, and challenges of marriage. Kohm said that high school curriculum currently only briefly mentions cohabitation as an option for two people who care about each other.

“I respect the Governor all the more for doing what he deemed right and appropriate despite what appears to be political and media pressure,” said Kohm who encourages supportive Virginians to thank the Governor for his efforts in passing these bills.

Dr. Pat Robertson Addresses Business Law Society on Changing Economy

2009-04-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson was the guest of honor at the April meeting of the Business Law Transactions Society (BLTS).

Against the backdrop of large companies such as GM moving toward bankruptcy, Dr. Robertson addressed the business-minded students on smart financing and key strategies in advising corporations in financial crisis.

Dr. Robertson spoke about his past experiences as a preferred shareholder and the steps he’s had to take to direct companies in financial difficulty, including toward Chapter 7 bankruptcy when appropriate.

In his closing remarks he encouraged the students who are facing a difficult job market. “If you’re skilled in your craft, there will be a place for you,” he said. “Study hard and pay attention to the larger picture of what’s happening in the changing economy; it will contextualize the law for you and bring the most success.”

A successful businessman and entrepreneur, Dr. Robertson is founder and chair of The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Inc., and founder of International Family Entertainment Inc., Regent University, Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation, American Center for Law and Justice, The Flying Hospital, Inc. and several other organizations and broadcast entities.

Regent Law Alums in the News

2009-04-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Chris Brownwell (’04) recently published an article in American Thinker, a daily publication devoted to the thoughtful exploration of issues of importance to Americans.

The Hampton Roads Realtor Associations (HRRA) awarded Cynthia Couch (‘97) the honor of Affiliate Member of the Year. HRRA is one of the largest associations of its kind in Virginia, serving the real estate agent and affiliate community. Couch has demonstrated commitment to education in her field and serves her community regularly.

Former Tennessee state Representative Mark Goins (’96) was recently named Tennessee Elections Coordinator by Secretary of State Tre Hargett. Hargett credits Goins’ experience as a lawmaker and a recent member of the State Election Commission with preparing him for the position.

E. Todd Wilkowski (’98) has been recognized as a 2009 Ohio Super Lawyer. Wilkowski is General Counsel for the largest concrete construction company in the United States, Baker Concrete Construction. Only five percent of the attorneys in Ohio are chosen each year to be included in the Super Lawyers publication, which recognizes outstanding attorneys nominated by their peers.