The Brauch Brief

Congratulations Judge Jennifer Dorow

2012-01-16T08:01:00.001-05:00

A quick shout-out to ’96 alum Jennifer Dorow. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker appointed her as judge on the Waukesha County Circuit Court. For more details, check out this press release.

Judge Dorow is one of 20 Regent alums currently serving as judges all over the US (and one of 24 Regent alums who have served as judges). As a Wisconsin native, I am particularly excited to see a Regent grad on the bench in my home state—and in this case in the county where 3 of my kids were born!

Way to go Jennifer!

Back from Break: a Glimpse Ahead to 2012

2012-01-11T09:40:00.002-05:00

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!

Back from Break: a Reflection on 2011

2012-01-04T09:08:00.001-05:00

Today the atrium was again filled with the sounds of life. Students - admittedly thinking the Christmas break was just a little too short! - returned for classes and to share Christmas experiences. It was a good day!

The end of one year and the start of another always provides a time for reflection. Looking back over 2011, I was reminded of several highlights:

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was the keynote speaker at the law school’s 25th anniversary celebration. The anniversary brought back many alums and friends and gave us a chance to celebrate God's faithfulness and blessing.
Both Regent negotiation teams have advanced to the national tournament of the ABA National Negotiation Competition. They finished second and third at the regional tournament. Regent will have 2 of the 24 teams competing for the national championship this spring.
The Regent moot court team finished second at the regional tournament of the New York Bar Association National Moot Court Competition. They advanced to the national tournament where they will compete for the national championship at the end of January.
12 law students served the poor, oppressed, and enslaved last summer through the law school’s Center for Global Justice. Students served in Russia, Mexico, South Korea, India, and France, as well as various locations in the United States. Overall, 2011 saw a significant - and exciting - expansion of the mission and reach of the Center for Global Justice.

These are just a few of the ways God encouraged and blessed us in 2011. In my next post, I'll share a few thoughts about what we are looking forward to in 2012.

A Pile of Stones – and the Law School 25th Anniversary

2011-09-30T13:38:00.002-04:00

In Joshua 3 and 4, God miraculously brought the people of Israel across the Jordan River during flood stage. As soon as they had crossed, God gave them one important job: to build a pile of stones as a memorial to what He had just done. God wanted his people—and their children—to never forget what He had done for them.

Though we live thousands of years after Joshua was written, human nature has not changed. We are still naturally inclined over time to forget even amazing works of God. We still need to build piles of stones—through testimonies, journals, or even blogs!

Today I write to praise God for His work during our 25th Anniversary Celebration last weekend. We experienced the presence and blessing of God throughout the weekend. Alumni left energized; visitors grew to know us and our mission; students were encouraged and even inspired. Most important, God was glorified. From informal conversations to public testimonies to keynote addresses, God’s name was praised. While we celebrated many people and events, in the end all glory went to God.

Highlights for me:

Hanging out with alumni. Over 100 participated in the weekend. What a great group of men and women God has sent through this place! And they are doing really great work. Some do it in public ways, some in ways that will never make the news. They really are Christian leaders changing the world—some just do it one client at a time.
Testimonies. At every event, students and alumni shared their stories of how God brought them to this place and how He has directed their lives. Though scattered throughout the weekend and reflecting very different personalities, they told a consistent single story of God’s calling and faithfulness.
Sonic Flood concert. Our “outdoor” concert ended up being held in the Moot Courtroom because of driving rain. No problem! The band was great and the acoustics were excellent. More than that, the concert launched the weekend in worship.
General Ashcroft luncheon. The room was electric. Dr. Robertson spoke with joy about the founding and progress of the school. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft gave a talk that combined a personal expression of his love for students with an eloquent call for the proper role law should play in society. The event ended with a view toward the future as we shared the vision for the Center for Global Justice. Many partners joined us in this work to help fund next summer’s internship program.
Justice Alito banquet. 600 guests, lobster and filet mignon, and a keynote address by Justice Samuel Alito of the United States Supreme Court. Hard to mess this one up! But the night was even better than anticipated. Alum Farnaz Farkish gave a compelling testimony. And Justice Alito’s remarks were tremendous. He centered his talk around our motto that “Law is more than a profession; it’s a calling,” and he discussed the importance of meaning and purpose in the practice of law.

Praise God for His blessing! It wasn’t just a series of meetings or even a really fun celebration. It was a testament to what God has done, is doing, and will do through the men and women He calls to Regent University School of Law.

One final note. Thanks to Sean Kirnan and a team of hardworking staff and students who made this anniversary possible. Sean, Lisa Marie Otto, Courtney Jackson, Marques Goetsch, Paul Boller (and many others), you worked tirelessly, selflessly, and with excellence. You had to deal with hundreds of details, last minute changes, and mini-crises. Thank you! You brought glory to God and joy to everyone who participated.

25th Anniversary

2011-09-03T20:56:00.001-04:00

September will be a big month around here. On September 23-25, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Regent University School of Law. 25 years ago, observers were suspicious about the idea of a Christian law school. Today it is clear that a truly Christian law school can produce national champion students and graduates who pass the bar at high rates and become outstanding community leaders. A law school can be both thoroughly Christian and thoroughly excellent.

Our anniversary celebration will be a great event. Here are some of the highlights:

Gala banquet with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito
Family barbecue followed by

Sonicflood concert
Student v alumni flag football game
Movie on the lawn

Lunch with former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
Shuttles to the oceanfront
CLE's with profs
Sunday worship with attorney and best selling author Randy Singer

If you are an alum or a student, come and celebrate with classmates, friends, and former profs. Even if you never attended the school, come and be a part of what should be an outstanding celebration. Check out the registration page here: http://www.regent.edu/acad/schlaw/events/law25celebration/

I can't wait!

Great Week

2011-08-20T15:21:00.000-04:00

It is Saturday morning and I am reflecting on the fantastic week we just finished. One of my greatest joys is welcoming a new group of students to the law school and seeing continuing students return.

I like summer. I enjoy the chance to travel and catch up on some things. But a law school with no students feels awfully empty by the time August arrives. So I felt real joy when I heard the familiar buzz of excitement--and a bit of nervousness--filling the law school atrium on Monday morning as the new 1Ls gathered. Other joys followed:

Listening to returning students share the successes and frustrations of their summer internships
Introducing 3 outstanding new law profs to their university colleagues
Celebrating alongside fellow faculty members at our professionalism service as 156 new 1Ls signed their names in The Book (gift of the '09 class) marking their entrance into the Regent Law community
Walking alongside men and women and carrying boxes of food to their cars, carts, and even bikes at the Norfolk Food Bank during Friday's Law Community Service Day (I was just one of 150 students, alums, profs, and staff members who served at sites all over Hampton Roads)

I think my very favorite moment of the week, though, took place on Friday afternoon right after the community service outreach. I sat outside with 7 or 8 new students as we ate pizza and shared stories of how we all ended up at Regent. Every story was different. But every story had the clear hand of a sovereign God who was directing us here at this place and this time.

Great week. I can't wait to start classes on Monday!

A Step Toward Global Justice

2011-05-27T13:12:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I rejoiced upon hearing the news of the arrest in Serbia of Ratko Mladic. Mladic is the former commanding general of the Bosnian Serb army during the Bosnian War of 1992-95. He is most notorious for commanding the troops that massacred 8,000 Bosnian men and boys in the town of Srebrenica in 1995. Mladic has been on the run ever since. That year the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) indicted him for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He will now stand trial before that tribunal.

The acts committed under Mladic’s leadership schocked the world. They still shock us 16 years later. They also remind us of the depravity of the human heart if unchecked. The same depravity led Hutus to kill 800,000 Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994 and leads others to enslave at least 26 million fellow human beings today.

As you read this, though, do not despair. As dark as the human heart is, there is a God of light who brings justice, compassion, and rescue. And he is raising up a generation of young men and women to confront injustice on a global scale. They are taking very literally the command to “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17.

Many of you know of Regent Law’s Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. Through this Center we seek to equip this generation that God is raising up. As I write, 12 Regent students are serving as interns with human rights partners all over the world—in Russia, Korea, India, France, Mexico, and the US. They are combating human trafficking and protecting religious liberty. I am confident that this summer will be a life-changing experience for them and the men and women they have gone to serve.

So when you are tempted to despair, please just stop and pray—to a God who knows and cares and acts. Please pray for our students and the work of the Center. And please partner with us in any way that God leads. Check out the Center at Regent.edu/globaljustice. Thanks!

March Madness

2011-04-13T13:59:00.002-04:00

We just concluded our own version of March Madness at the law school. On Monday, Andrew Hull won the 1L tournament against stiff competition provided by Barrett Luxhoj, Daniel Vaughn and Melanie Remington. Congratulations to all!

Congratulations, too, to our interscholastic moot court teams who completed another successful year in the last few weeks. Here are some highlights:

Billings, Exum, & Frye National Competition at Elon University School of Law: Best Brief Award (out of 31 teams) and Second Place. Competitors included UVA, Duke, UNC, and others. Congratulations Matt Roche, Amy Labzentis, and Linh Flores!
Spong Competition at the College of William & Mary: Third Place overall and Jonathan Young was named Best Oralist (out of 21 teams and 47 oralists). Congratulations Jamie Barton, Jonathan Young, and Annalise Lang!
ABA Regional Tournament in Brooklyn, NY: Lost in final round to Duke, the overall national champion. Out of 39 teams competing and over 100 oralists, Tristen Cramer won the award as the 5th Best Oralist in the tournament. Congratulations Daniel Hebda, Tristen Cramer, and Megan Herwald! Congratulations, too, to Kawika Vellalos for being named the 10th Best Oralist in the tournament.

I am very proud of our students--and I would put our moot court program up against any in the country. Our students compete at the highest level and do so to bring glory to God.

By the way, not to be outdone, a team of Regent Law students competed in a more traditional form of March Madness—a basketball tournament! Lest you think that Regent Law students are all brain and no brawn, I am proud to announce that Regent Law won the championship at the 2011 Norfolk State University Extramural Basketball Tournament. They defeated Virginia State University 70-65 in the finals. Congratulations Marques Goetsch, Cameron Jones, Matthew Morris, Joshua Fan, Kelle Hein, Carlton Priester, Jake Warner, Dan Ostrem, and Jonny Finch!

The Non-Traditional Legal Career

2011-03-23T06:53:00.001-04:00

A quick follow-up to my last post. At the end of last week, I had the privilege of seeing and renewing friendships with quite a few alumni. It was great fun. It was also illuminating. It turns out that many alumni are using their law degrees in non-traditional ways.

On Thursday I enjoyed seeing two former students who now serve as corporate vice presidents, one with a large charitable foundation and one with a large construction company. Both began their careers in traditional law practices. Neither expected a corporate vice presidency to be on their career path. But they are both happy and fulfilled. Both described for me how God led them in this way--and how God is using them in their corporate roles to impact the lives of others.

While encouraging, these stories shouldn't be surprising. It has been well-known for a long time that legal training is excellent preparation for many fields. Legal education excels at teaching effective communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. As dean, it is very satisfying for me to see our alums using those skills in fulfilling and meaningful--if non-traditional--ways.

A Seven Day Glimpse into the Making of a Christian Lawyer

2011-03-18T09:04:00.002-04:00

I write from Atlanta as I am getting ready for a lunch meeting with some alumni and friends of the law school. We had a similar lunch yesterday as well as a large alumni reception last night. While traveling isn't always a joy, this trip has been a good one--productive and enjoyable.

My biggest observation so far: over the course of the last week I have been privileged to observe--and share in--the entire life cycle of the making of a Christian lawyer.

A week ago, a group of about 35 prospective students visited Regent University School of Law for our Preview Weekend. These men and women are sensing that God may have called them to serve Him and others through the law. They are realizing that it is possible not just to be a Christian and a lawyer, but a Christian lawyer who submits to and lives out the lordship of Christ in every area of life. They aren't sure what it all means, but they are dreaming about what may lie ahead. They are nervous. They are excited. They are expectant.

For the first half of this week I was in Virginia Beach, working with current law students. They have responded to God's call. Now they are being equipped. Some days these students are just gutting it out--and three years of training seem very long indeed. But other days are filled with joy as the students build friendships, see progress, and know they are following God's plan. They too dream about what lies ahead.

For the last two days in Atlanta, I have been privileged to hear stories from our alumni. The waiting is over. The training is done. They are truly living out the calling God has put on their lives. Even now, not every day is easy. These alums face difficult and sometimes unexpected challenges. What gives me great joy, though, is to hear how they respond to those challenges by the grace and power of God. I rejoice, too, as they report how God has enabled them to meaningfully serve Him and others. Sometimes they do so in very public ways. Often they do so in quiet and seemingly unknown ways, one client at a time. In both cases, they are Christian leaders changing the world.

What a great gig this dean job is! I thank God for the chance to play a small part in the process of equipping a generation of Christian lawyers. I thank God, too, for the chance I've had to glimpse that whole process in action over the course of just seven days.

Justice Leroy Hassell

2011-02-09T15:29:00.000-05:00

We learned today that Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy Hassell has passed away. As a law school community we are grieving with Justice Hassell’s family and friends. The former chief justice has been a dear friend and a vital member of this community. For many years he has served as a jurist-in-residence and on our board of visitors. He regularly spent time on this campus and took great joy in engaging with our students.

Justice Hassell was a man of tremendous accomplishment: graduated from UVA and Harvard Law School; partner in McGuireWoods; youngest-ever chairman of the Richmond School Board; began serving on the Virginia Supreme Court at age 34; first justice to be selected chief justice by his colleagues.

More important, Justice Hassell was a man of tremendous character. Despite all of his accomplishments, the former chief justice was a humble man who loved God deeply. He demonstrated an uncompromising commitment to excellence, integrity, and service to others. While many people knew that he had been a law firm partner and school board chairman, far fewer knew that he was a hospice volunteer.

This school is about training leaders. I am so thankful that Justice Hassell was a vital part of that training. Yes through his words. But especially through his character.

We will miss him deeply.

Perseverance and Super Bowl XLV

2011-02-07T16:50:00.000-05:00

I need to disclose something up front. I am a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan. I grew up in Wisconsin where many things are optional, but being a Packer fan is not. It is part of my DNA.

While I was too young in the 60’s to follow the Lombardi-era Packers, for nearly 40 years I have cheered for every Packer team since. The 1983 half-team—unstoppable offense; invisible defense (best exemplified by its 48-47 Monday night track meet victory over Washington). The crazy 1989 team led by the aptly named Don “Majik Man” Majkowski. The fun and powerful Brett Favre/Reggie White-led teams of the 90’s.

Of all the Packer teams, though, my favorite is the one that won the Super Bowl last night—the 2010 Packers. I don’t know if they are the most talented. But they certainly have the most heart.

Sport, like life, is filled with unexpected challenges and adversity. It is in those moments—or seasons—that character is revealed. The individuals and teams who persevere despite adversity become champions.

The 2010 Packers were all about perseverance. They were popular Super Bowl picks in the preseason. And then one-by-one key players went down to season-ending injuries. Rushing leader Ryan Grant. Leading receiver Jermichael Finley. Starting linebacker Nick Barnett. Three other starters and a total of 15 players went on injured reserve and were lost for the season. Packer players missed a total of 180 games to injury.

After each key injury, commentators concluded that the Packers’ playoff hopes were gone. But each time a starter went down a fellow team member (sometimes an undrafted and unknown free agent) stepped up. And he did so with the confidence of his coaches and teammates. The team won five straight must-win games to make the Super Bowl. All three playoff games were on the road. Yet the team got better and more cohesive.

Last night’s game was just a microcosm of the season. Three more starters went down to injury, including 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Charles Woodson, who broke his collarbone. But even as the momentum shifted to Pittsburgh, the team refused to give up and came up with clutch plays.

I am a life-long Packer fan. Of course I am really excited about this team. But I am proud of them too. They stand as a reminder that life isn’t always about straight paths and easy victories. Sometimes it is filled with adversity. In those times, true success comes to those who persevere and overcome.

Student-Faculty Retreat 2011

2011-01-28T21:08:00.000-05:00

This week we held one of my favorite events of the entire year: our annual student-faculty retreat. Retreats, of course, are common. Faculties have them. Staffs have them. But I think we must be the only law school in the country where the entire student body and faculty—460 people—head offsite for a day of reflection and renewal.

Here’s why I like it. Despite our noble aspirations, law school life can bog down, especially this time of year. It is hard for students to think about being a voice for the voiceless when they are grinding through yet another set of Property or UCC cases. It is hard to imagine being a minister of justice when facing the first of several large research and writing projects due this spring.

That is where the retreat comes in. We cancel all of the day’s classes and put aside the books. We focus instead on questions like: what does it mean to be called as a lawyer? How can I display the character of Jesus Christ in the day-to-day practice of law? Can my legal work really be worship to God? How?

After some corporate worship, we were challenged by two speakers. The first was Professor Mike Schutt, director of the Institute for Christian Legal Studies and the author of the finest book on what it means to be a Christian lawyer, Redeeming Law. He was followed by ’94 alum and law firm owner Jonathan Feavel. Both were encouraging, challenging, and authentic. Students then shared openly and powerfully about how God is working in their lives. We finished with lunch—students and professors eating together.

It was a great day. A day that focused on matters of significance. A day that restored our sense of vision and calling.

25th Anniversary – Justice Alito

2011-01-21T10:22:00.000-05:00

2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the Regent University School of Law. We will be celebrating that anniversary during a weekend of events that will take place from Friday, September 23 to Sunday, September 25.

I am excited to announce that United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will be celebrating with us. He has agreed to be the keynote speaker at a banquet on Saturday, September 24, 2011. We will announce other details of the anniversary weekend as it gets closer, but please put the celebration on your calendar now. I especially encourage alumni to return to Virginia Beach and spend the weekend with us. It will be a great time to celebrate what God has done in and through this school and our students, alumni, staff, and faculty.

Stay tuned for more on the anniversary in the weeks to come.

Back from Christmas Break

2011-01-06T15:52:00.002-05:00

Students are back. And they are remarkably upbeat for having started classes on January 3! As I chat with students in the atrium and welcome them back, the common theme is that the Christmas break was fantastic—there just wasn't enough of it.

My break was great. Truly relaxing with lots of family time. There is something wonderful about the academic calendar with its beginnings and endings—and rest in between.

Here are a few highlights of my break:

Enjoying the Wisconsin snow—oblivious to the fact that there was more snow back home in Virginia Beach than in Wisconsin;
Still having enough snow to play football on an ice covered Wisconsin lake—the REAL frozen tundra;
Finishing third in the extended family Wii bowling tournament—satisfyingly finishing ahead of 4 game-savvy teenagers;
Celebrating Immanuel—amazed again that the infinite, immortal God became human to rescue humans who were dead in our sins and without hope.

Hope your Christmas season was filled with joy and rest. Happy New Year!

Last Class: When and How Should We Apply the Higher Law Today?

2010-11-30T15:09:00.003-05:00

Ninety years ago, Prohibition became effective throughout the United States. On January 16, 1920, Evangelist Billy Sunday celebrated the event with 15,000 Prohibition supporters in Norfolk, Virginia by presiding over a funeral for John Barleycorn (the fictional personification of alcohol). Sunday proclaimed: “John Barleycorn, we bury you because you destroyed our health; you disfigured our bodies; you ruined our nervous system…. You corrupted our courts. You defied our laws; you destroyed both soul and body; you darkened our homes; you broke our hearts; you beggared our wives and children; you led men to commit every conceivable crime.” Sunday concluded: “Farewell, you good-for-nothing, God-forsaken, iniquitous, bleary-eyed, bloat-faced old imp of perdition.” Sunday then climbed on top of his pulpit, waved an American flag, and led the crowd in singing the doxology.

Just 13 years after Sunday’s triumphant eulogy, Prohibition itself was dead. Attempts to stop alcohol production, sale, and consumption had failed. Organized crime had taken control over alcohol distribution. The results were increased crime, loss of jobs, and (according to some) even increased alcohol consumption.

The Prohibition experience provided the backdrop for our final Christian Foundations of Law class for the semester. Throughout the class we have been considering whether there is a higher law (eternal principles of justice by which human law can be evaluated). William Wilberforce believed in such a law. So did Martin Luther King Jr. It was their belief in a higher law—including that all human beings are created in the image of God with dignity and worth—that led them to criticize the laws existing in their day and to seek an end to the slave trade and legalized discrimination. They led successful efforts to apply higher law principles to their culture.

So what happened with Prohibition? Sunday and his supporters would have said they were merely doing the same thing Wilberforce had done and King would later do. They were simply applying the higher law to critique and reform human law. Sunday and others argued strenuously that abuse of alcohol is a sin and leads to many other moral wrongs. But the attempt to ban all alcohol sale and consumption failed. Indeed it backfired.

For our last class today, we considered what lessons we could learn from these experiences. To what extent should the higher law be applied to modern society? When should higher law be left to individual conscience and not be legislated? What principles should guide today’s lawmakers?

Today’s was a fun class session. Students considered a series of possible laws, arguing about whether they ought to be enacted and, if so, how. As always the discussion was wide-ranging with plenty of passion and diverging opinions.

I am sad to see the semester end! This has been a great group of students—prepared, engaged, and thoughtful. I know they are better prepared to practice law and be effective leaders in their communities as a result of their diligent work. I am proud of them and can’t wait to see what they do.

Faculty Retreat – and Legal Education in the 21st Century

2010-11-22T15:00:00.002-05:00

The Regent Law faculty recently gathered for our annual faculty retreat. As always, we shared food and camaraderie. This is a group of men and women who greatly respect each other—and really like each other!

We also put some challenging and creative thinking into an important topic: moral and professional formation.

These are interesting days for legal education. More than I can ever remember, the legal academy has become quite introspective; we are evaluating everything we do and asking if we can do better. Influential in this evaluation has been the Carnegie Foundation’s release in 2007 of Educating Lawyers, a comprehensive review and critique of legal education in America.

Carnegie concluded that American law schools do one thing really well: teaching legal doctrine and analysis. But it argued that doctrine and analysis are not enough. It urged schools to spend much more time training students in (a) practical lawyering skills and in (b) moral and professional identity. Regarding the latter, Carnegie insisted that students must be challenged to practice law with integrity, compassion, respectfulness, and civility. Similarly, students must be challenged to view their role as a peacemaker, problem-solver, and seeker of justice—not just as a zealous advocate or hired gun. It called on schools to take on the role of moral and professional formation of their students.

Regent faculty reaction: Amen! The very mission of this school is to train lawyers who are not only excellent, but men and women of integrity, honor, and courage. Men and women who view law as a high calling to serve others.

Part of the faculty retreat was spent talking about the ways we already engage in moral and professional formation of our students. Here are just a few of many examples:

Dean Gantt’s teaching on the moral counseling explicitly permitted by the rules of professional responsibility
Dean Gantt’s and Professor Oates’ philosophy of lawyering project in professional responsibility
Professor Madison’s book and class materials requiring students to grapple with the moral challenges that arise in a litigation practice
Professor McKee’s ongoing personal mentorship in professionalism for students in our litigation clinic
Annual student-faculty retreat on what it means—practically—to be a Christian lawyer
Daily devotions exploring among other things how a lawyer can display the character of Jesus Christ

The faculty also discussed how we can do this moral and professional formation even better and in a more systematic way. We are devoting two additional meetings to the topic this spring, one related to teaching and the other to our scholarship.

The 21st century legal world has realized that engaging students’ minds is not enough. We must also engage students’ hearts. This engagement is a task for which Regent University School of Law is uniquely equipped.

More than a Lunch

2010-11-19T16:20:00.000-05:00

One of my great joys this week was sitting down over lunch with our student action team for the Center for Global Justice. The team consists of 14 men and women who have voluntarily and sacrificially given of their time over the last year to take the Center from vision to reality.

Part of the lunch was a report from the students to me, Professor Ash (Center director), and Professor McKee about their work over the past few months. That was impressive.

The best part of the lunch, though, was having the students, one-by-one, share their personal stories. They described why they have dedicated themselves to promoting global justice and how they believe God is directing them in the years to come. That was amazing.

I have the best job in the world! I get to hang out with bright, passionate, and compassionate young people who are on a mission. They will be great lawyers. But their careers will not be about prestige, or power, or money. Their careers will be about service to others. God has a call on their lives. Ten years from now we will find them in Cambodia, Uganda, Romania, or urban America defending the poor, the oppressed, and the enslaved.

Great lunch. The food was good. The students were inspiring!

Superb Bar Pass Rate

2010-10-21T09:00:00.013-04:00

We received some terrific news from the July Virginia Bar Exam today. First-time takers from Regent University School of Law passed at an outstanding rate of 85.7%. This was well above the state average (79.8%) and the third highest rate in the state (behind only William & Mary and UVA). I am deeply proud of our students. Whether winning national championships or shining on the bar exam, they display excellence in everything they do. I am also thankful for our outstanding faculty. This achievement reflects their tireless commitment to train our students with depth and rigor. Above all, praise God for His blessing!

Quick Thoughts from Michigan

2010-10-20T10:08:00.003-04:00

I am in Michigan this week visiting colleges and introducing prelaw students to Regent University School of Law. A few quick thoughts as I travel:

It has been beautiful here. Sunny, cool, with leaves turning vibrant colors. I had forgotten from my Wisconsin years just how gorgeous a bright red maple tree can be this time of year.
This state loves education. I think every small town has its own college or university.
Here as everywhere, prelaw students care about global justice and human rights. More than that, they are ready to act. I continue to be encouraged as I meet the next generation of Wilberforces who will combat oppression, abuse, and slavery around the world. And they are VERY encouraged as they learn about our new Center for Global Justice. I can't wait to welcome them to Regent and equip them for their work.

Great ABA Report on Regent Law’s Strasbourg Program

2010-10-01T09:01:00.002-04:00

This year 33 students studied with us in our International Human Rights Program in Strasbourg, France. One of the unique features of the program this year was that we had an accreditation visit from the American Bar Association. The ABA visits our program—and all such study abroad programs—every seven years to evaluate the quality of the program.

We just received the report from the site visitor. The report is excellent—it contains no negative findings at all! The site visitor rated the classes as a 4.8 on a 5 point scale. Here is his overall summary of the program:

The program was well organized and well administered. Students were engaged in an active teaching/learning process in all four classes. The program was located in a very rich environment to study international law and human rights. Facilities were very good and appropriate for the program; students and faculty alike expressed great satisfaction with their participation in the program. Because the program has been in operation in Strasbourg since its inception, the Law School has had much experience implementing it and working with local and Virginia officials to ensure its success. The instructional staff and curriculum are very strong and appropriate for achieving the goals of the program.

Many people are responsible for this success. Thanks to Regent professors John Ashcroft, Tom Folsom, and Dave Velloney for their outstanding teaching and interaction with students. And thanks to Francois Vierling, Jim Murphy, and Mary Bunch for taking care—in an excellent way—of many administrative aspects of the program and our students.

If you are reading this as a student or prospective student, join us next year! Regent Professor Dave Velloney will be directing the program as we go back to Strasbourg to study international human rights from a Christian perspective. Visit www.regent.edu/strasbourg for more details.

Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law

2010-09-28T15:27:00.013-04:00

In ten days, Regent University School of Law will launch a Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. Longtime readers will know that I have written on this theme before. I asked you to pray that God would open doors and provide initial funding. Thank you for those prayers—God has responded “Yes!”

We will launch the Center on Friday, October 8 during our Law Review Symposium on Human Trafficking. Through the Center, we will seek to provide hope and legal protection to the oppressed and vulnerable in our community and around the world.

The need is tremendous. Shockingly, there are more slaves today—at least 27 million—than at any time in the history of the world. Just two hundred years after William Wilberforce’s heroic and successful battle to end the slave trade in England, millions of women and children are again bought and sold. Over 100 million children live independently on the streets scrambling to survive. In the last decade in Uganda, 25,000 of these children were abducted and forced to fight as soldiers.

When I hear these reports—and there are countless others—I am tempted to despair. Until I remember that God is still the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He loves justice. And He knows and loves the poor, the enslaved, and the oppressed.

God tells us to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves…defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9). Through this Center—and by the grace of God—the students and faculty of Regent University School of Law intend to do just that.

The Center will carry out this work in two ways. First we will equip our students to be advocates for the oppressed around the world. We will give them classroom training and hands-on internships and clinical opportunities. Second, we will come alongside those individuals and groups already working to promote justice and human rights. We will share resources and build a network of collaboration to help them do their work.

As we launch this Center, instead of despair, I feel excitement. God is raising up a generation of men and women who will combat human trafficking, child abuse, and religious persecution in a large-scale and meaningful way. I am excited about the vital role Regent Law will play in equipping these men and women for their work.

Please join us in this work!

Please pray that God would empower us in strategically making a difference.
If you sense that God has called you to join Him in loving and advocating for the oppressed, please come to Regent Law to be equipped for that work.
If you are already an advocate for the oppressed, please join our network of partners. Please consider receiving and mentoring Regent interns and let us know how we can best serve you and further the work you are doing.

YouTube, Calvin Johnson—and Equity?

2010-09-21T10:02:00.000-04:00

In Christian Foundations of Law class we have been studying equity. Equity is the system of justice that was developed in England as an alternative or supplement to the sometimes rigid rules of the common law. English chancellors, such as Thomas More, sought to bring fairness or substantive justice when the letter of the law might work hardship.

A discussion of equity—while fascinating to me, the teacher!—can strike students as a little bit dry. I got a little help, though, in week 1 of the NFL season, from Lion wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Most of you know the story or have seen it on YouTube. Johnson came down with what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown against the Chicago Bears. As he rolled over in the end zone and got up, he left the ball on the ground. The catch was disallowed by an NFL rule that requires receivers to have complete control of the ball during all parts of the catch, including the roll-over.

The play seems obvious: Johnson caught the ball; he did not juggle it or trap it. The defender did not knock it away. Johnson purposely left it on the ground as he got up. It looked like a touchdown.

But the NFL rulebook is clear. This is not a catch by rule—a rule that perhaps seems a little rigid and harsh in the context of this play.

Johnson’s predicament has provided a great way for my class to consider both the importance and challenges of equity. The spirit of the NFL rule is to ensure that a ball is actually and fully caught. When applied to Johnson, though, the rule seems to disallow a fully caught ball. Some—like Jaguar coach Jack del Rio—have argued that referees in such an instance should have the discretion to set aside the rule and apply the spirit of the rule. Others, like ESPN’s Mike and Mike have warned that giving referees such discretion is dangerous. When is that discretion to be used? How often? Might the discretion itself be abused?

To students of equity—and now my Christian Foundations students—these arguments sound pretty familiar. The same arguments were made at key points in British history to develop and restrain the application of equity—minus the NFL context, of course!

Here are some tentative conclusions I have reached about equity:

The idea of equity is sound. Sometimes true justice requires setting aside rules and making exceptions. Jesus seemed to appeal for equity at times as against the legalism of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. See for example Matthew 23:1-4, 16-24; Luke 6:1-11.
Giving a judge or anyone, however, complete discretion to “do justice” has its own dangers. I trust Jesus more than I do fallen human beings to be able to appropriately set aside rules and do justice. Historically, the Puritans sought to severely limit the jurisdiction of discretionary courts like Chancery (the English court charged with dispensing equity). They did so based both on their belief in humans’ fallen nature and their unpleasant experience with discretionary courts like Star Chamber. Puritan lawyer John Selden argued: “Equity is a roguish thing; equity is according to the conscience of him that is chancellor….It is all one as if they should make the standard for the measure a chancellor’s foot.”
The solution? Equity must be applied, but applied with checks and balances. The English system did a pretty good job with this. One could go to Chancery and seek an equitable remedy. But only as a last resort. One could not go to equity unless there was no adequate remedy at law. In addition, the chancellor could not simply “do justice.” He did not have unfettered discretion. Like the common law, equity itself developed some principles, procedures, and maxims to be followed. Yes, they were more flexible than those at common law. But they ensured that even equity was applied in an even-handed and consistent way.

What should happen to Calvin Johnson? I am waiting for my students to give me the final answer when we finish this discussion tomorrow. Regardless of how the discussion turns out, thanks to Calvin Johnson for giving us a textbook example of both the need for and dangers of equity!

Community Service Day

2010-08-24T15:32:00.002-04:00

The Union Mission Volunteers

Today I taught my first class of the new academic year. As always, it is great to get back into the classroom, especially to teach first year students. The new students displayed their usual eagerness and enthusiasm, with just a touch of nervousness and uncertainty.

Last week was orientation week. Like every law school we filled the week with instruction on briefing cases, outlining courses, and taking exams. All important and all well-done by Associate Dean Gantt and my faculty colleagues.

Orientation week ended in a way that is probably not so usual in law schools—or schools of any kind for that matter. We put aside the books on Friday and headed out to 10 locations around Hampton Roads and eastern Virginia to serve the community. One hundred twenty-eight students, faculty, and staff sorted clothes and cleared brush at Union Mission; they worked to protect oyster beds at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; they assisted Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide homes for the less fortunate.

What a great day! I was with the students at Union Mission. The day was hot. The work was hard. Bees were living in the brush and stung several students. Sounds like a recipe for disaster--and yet it truly was a great day! I was impressed by the students’ determination and diligence. I was impressed by their teamwork. And I was most impressed by their willingness to put their own interests aside to serve others.

While this was only our second year for Community Service Day, the day is now a vital part of orientation—and of Regent University School of Law. We were able to provide hundreds of hours of valuable service to friends and neighbors in our community. It was really good for us, too. Students grew to know each other and began to build friendships in a way that they would not have just sitting in a classroom. And the day emphasized to all of us—up front and right at the beginning of the year—what our ultimate mission is: to train a generation of lawyers who are servants. Servants of God and servants of those in need around us.

Hi from Strasbourg (Part III)

2010-08-03T08:32:00.003-04:00

We are in our last week of classes here in Strasbourg. I taught the last Human Rights class yesterday and exams start on Thursday.

It is a been a great summer! Excellent students, informative and fun field trips, engaging guest lecturers. There is another feature of the program, though, that makes the program special. While we study hard during the week, all of us use weekends to travel throughout Europe. Strasbourg is centrally located in Western Europe and a great starting point for weekend travel to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and many other places. This summer students have seen Rome, Salzburg, and London. They have gone to the top of the Alps and on diving expeditions in the Mediterranean. They have had an amazing opportunity to see and experience the beauty, culture, and history of Europe.

I'll share one personal travel experience. One weekend our family traveled to London. We saw Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Les Miserables, and more. One of the most powerful experiences for me, though, was visiting the British Museum. The museum contains an unbelievable collection of artifacts from all of human history (the Rosetta stone, statues and carved panels from the Parthenon in Greece, a 3500 year old gigantic bust of Ramses II from Egypt).

My favorite room told the history of Assyria. Assyria was, for a time (800-700 BC?), the most powerful nation on earth. It conquered the northern 10 tribes of Israel and threatened Judah. It is the nation that Jonah (most reluctantly!) visited as he called the people of Ninevah to repentance.

You will remember that Jonah didn't want to go to Ninevah and was upset that God showed grace to its people and forgave them when they repented. I understand Jonah's emotions much better now. The British Museum contained large carved panels that decorated the king's palace in Ninevah. The panels are quite an insight into Ninevah culture and values. No beautiful scenery or stories of love here. The panels glorify war, killing, and cruelty. They show Assyrians cutting off enemies' heads and holding them as trophies; they display Assyrian soldiers stepping on the heads of conquered peoples; they show conquered people groveling before the king begging for mercy (some would receive it, some would receive death). One panel showed the conquered people of Lachish, crawling before King Sennacherib (see II Kings 18).

I left the room upset by the cruelty that Assyria (and, sadly, many nations since) displayed and glorified. I also left the room praising God--for two reasons:

God is an amazing God of grace. Like even the Assyrians, I can trust that he will pour out his grace on me and forgive if I turn to him in faith and repentance.
God is truly the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Assyria is gone today. Except for some panels in a museum, there is nothing left. But God still reigns. Indeed, he was Lord even during Assyria's ascendancy. Sometime read II Kings 18-19. It tells how God miraculously saved the people of Judah from Assyria when Hezekiah was king. Judah had no basis for hope to stand against the world's superpower. But God rescued his people.

Praise God. He reigns today! He reigns in power and grace and mercy.