Judge Patricia L. West, who served as a judge in the Virginia Beach Circuit Court and who most recently served as chief deputy attorney general of Virginia, is joining Regent University as a Distinguished Professor of Law and Government and as associate dean in the School of Law. Her appointment is effective immediately."We are delighted to welcome Judge West to this new
leadership role at Regent, where our students will benefit from her tremendous experience and legal insights," said Regent Chancellor and CEO, Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson. "Judge West is highly regarded in the legal community for her wise counsel, and Regent will be blessed to have such a dedicated public servant among our distinguished faculty and administration."
West joined the Attorney General's office in 2012, after serving as a judge in Virginia Beach Circuit Court. She was named to the bench by the Virginia General Assembly in March 2000 after previously serving on the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Former Virginia Governor George Allen appointed West to serve in his Cabinet as secretary of public safety in 1996. She also served as director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice and headed the Governor's Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform.
"I am excited to formalize my relationship with Regent University. I have watched the Law School grow and gain national prominence and recognition under the leadership of Dr. Robertson and Dean Brauch," said West. "I look forward to working with the outstanding faculty and staff at the Law School to continue to attract the best and brightest students and prepare them to go out into the world and make a difference."
Many at Regent are already familiar with West, who has served on the School of Law Board of Visitors since 2003.
"Judge West is highly respected in Virginia legal and policy circles. She was an outstanding judge and has served with distinction as the Chief Deputy Attorney General," said Law Dean Jeffrey Brauch. "Judge West also is a tremendous advocate for this school, having helped to open important doors for our students. I look forward to working with her even more closely in the years to come."
West also served in an advisory capacity to two previous attorneys general. She was a member of Attorney General Mark Earley's 1998 Commission on Gangs and Youth Violence and also served on a commission investigating child abuse fatality rates in the Hampton Roads area. Under Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, she served on his Advisory Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee and Legal Services Committee.
She received her law degree from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in 1986, and is a 1983 graduate of the College of William and Mary.
Learn more about Regent University School of Law.
Photo courtesy of Judge Patricia L. West.