Regent Law News

According to a recent Carnegie Foundation on Education report discussed within Best Practices for Legal Education: A Vision and A Road Map , the legal profession is in danger of becoming de-moralized as law schools fall short in encouraging students to develop ethical compasses. The authors of Best Practices , senior faculty from law schools nationwide including NYU, Rutgers, and Vanderbilt, cite the need for professional ethics training throughout the law school curriculum in addition to standard ethics courses. They argue that students would be better prepared to tackle the professional and personal challenges of being a lawyer if law schools had a more positive impact on the development of their value systems. Publications like The National Jurist have recently explored the issue as well. According to the Carnegie report, Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Profession of Law : In so far as law schools choose not to place ethical-social values within the inner circle of

Students in Prof. Bruce Cameron’s classes have the opportunity to contribute to litigation changing the face of employment and labor law. As part of Regent’s National Right to Work Practicum, students Amber Morris (3L), Ernie Walton (2L) and Chuck Slemp (3L) helped research and write a petition for certiorari filed with the United States Supreme Court. The case in question, Reed v. United Auto Workers, involves a worker in a unionized auto plant who has sincere religious objections to joining or financially supporting a labor union. Because of his religious beliefs, Reed is being charged more in compulsory union fees than any other employee, including those whose objections to supporting the union are secular. Professor Cameron argues that under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII, employees have both the right to be free of religious discrimination and the right to a reasonable accommodation of their religious belief. The majority of the judges on the lower courts determined

On November 24th Regent Law proudly hosted Pepperdine University School of Law Professor Robert F. Cochran for a noon lecture titled “Client Counseling and Moral Responsibility.” Professor Cochran’s address explored alternative client counseling models, all differing in the extent to which they advocate legal counsel providing moral guidance and friendship within the client relationship. Given its emphasis on moral responsibility, Cochran’s lecture was particularly timely for Regent Law students striving to live out their legal callings with excellence and integrity. “Professor Cochran is a true leader in the world of faith and law integration,” said law school Dean Jeffrey Brauch. “We are honored to have him on campus.” The event, hosted jointly by Regent’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Board and Regent’s chapter of the Christian Legal Society, was attended by both faculty and students. Cochran is the Louis D. Brandeis Professor of Law at Pepperdine University School of Law

Raising nearly 30 children has provided Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann with negotiating skills that serve her well in the nation's capital. Bachmann, a passionate advocate for foster care and adoption, visited Regent University on November 20 as part of the university's recognition of National Adoption Awareness Month. Bachmann and her husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, are the parents of five biological children and 23 foster children. She shared their story as parents and also their connection to Regent during a special law chapel for students, faculty and staff. "It's been a marvelous experience for us. Being foster parents has allowed us to teach our biological kids that they're not the only kids in the world," Bachmann said. "Our foster care kids have been able to see what a picture of an imperfect 'normal' family is like. And we saw the beauty and worth in them. "Twenty-three times, we've seen these kids graduate from hig

Regent made sure to do its part to make National Adoption Awareness month a success. Each November across the country community groups, government agencies, schools, and individuals herald the cause of the hundreds of thousands of orphans in our country. Throughout the week of November 16 – 21, Regent’s Council of Graduate Students (COGS) sponsored a series of events to raise awareness of orphans’ need for permanent families. Because they will soon be in a position as policy-makers and advocates, Regent’s law students have taken the lead in presenting two key events highlighting the responsibilities legal professionals have to these children. Tuesday’s Focus on the Children panel brought together experienced professionals from Virginia and D.C., including The Honorable Angela Roberts, Chief Judge of the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, to speak about the policies behind permanency, the needs that foster children face, and what it takes to be a successful adoption pra

Regent University School of Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Board (ADR) made a strong showing at the ABA Regional Negotiation Competition held Nov. 13-14 at William and Mary School of Law. The 2L team of Mary Katherine Bratton and David Crossett finished second overall from a roster of over 20 teams representing American University, Georgetown, Washington & Lee and other law schools throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. While all three of Regent’s competition teams placed in the top ten, Bratton and Crossett look forward to an official invitation from the ABA to compete in the national competition, February 5-6 in Orlando, FL. Team coach Prof. Eric DeGroff commented on Bratton and Crossett’s exemplary performance. “Our team was able to zealously represent their clients within the bounds of the law and with integrity,” he said. “They balanced making a strong case and presenting their client in the best possible light

Morgan A. Cox (’03) and Shantell S. Nashatka (’03) were both recognized as Virginia Rising Stars in the 2009 edition of Virginia Super Lawyers. Cox has been practicing family law in Vienna, Virginia at the Maddox Law Firm, P.C. for four years and is an active member of the community. Nashatka practices in the Domestic Relations department at Huff, Poole & Mahoney, P.C. in Virginia Beach and also spends her time caring for needs in her community. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Each year, the magazine solicits nominations for the best attorneys who are 40 or under, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. After an in depth research and interview process, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the Rising Stars list. Congratulations to these rising stars, and those alumni who have formerly been given this ho

In one of a handful of electoral races that captured national attention this year, Robert F. "Bob" McDonnell '89 (Law and Government) has been elected the 71st Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the first alumnus of Regent University elected to a state's highest office. By 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, major news networks had called the election for McDonnell, who held a commanding lead over his opponent, state Senator Creigh Deeds. At 10:00 p.m., with 95 percent of precincts reporting, McDonnell was ahead with 59 percent of votes, compared to Deeds' 41 percent. McDonnell took the stage at the Richmond Marriott, surrounded by family, friends and supporters, as the Black Eyed Peas song, "I gotta feeling tonight's gonna be a good night," played, and people cheered and clapped. "Eight months ago, I applied for the job of Govenor of Virginia. Tonight you have hired me. Thank you," he said to several hundred people gathered fo

Regent University School of Law is proud that another of its graduates has been named to Inside Business’ “Top 40 Under 40.” Each year since 1999, the journal highlights the Hampton Roads’ talent making significant contributions to their career fields and to the community. This year Brett Thompson (’01) was recognized for his strong leadership and professional growth as an attorney and business owner. Thompson practices real estate and corporate law and made partner at Kellam, Pickrell, Cox & Tayloe, P.C. after only five years with the firm. Strongly motivated by his wife, Tiffany, and two children, Thompson strives to maintain a healthy balance between his work and professional responsibilities. “There is no higher level of achievement or greater satisfaction at the end of the day than to come home to a loving family,” he said. “I try to keep in mind that if I deprive my family then that will weaken my ability to be productive in all other aspects of my life.” He serves

According to TaxProf blogger Paul L. Caron, Regent’s law professors rank among the top ten most interesting and most accessible law faculties in the nation. TaxProf blog culled data directly from the Princeton Review’s 2010 edition of “The Best 172 Law Schools” to generate its rankings. Caron’s blog is one of the most visited law blogs edited by a single law professor, and the American Bar Association has honored it as one of its “Top 100 Blawgs.” Get to know Regent’s nationally recognized professors here , and visit our Regent Law Faculty blog here .

First-time test takers from Regent University School of Law's class of 2009 passed the February and July Virginia Bar Exams at an overall rate of 77.8 percent, exceeding the statewide average of 76.4 percent for all first time takers. "I am encouraged with these results and believe we will continue to see improvement in our pass rate as we implement some of our new bar preparation initiatives in the coming months and years," Regent Law Dean Jeffrey A. Brauch said. "I praise God for his blessing on our graduates and the school." Click here to receive a free Regent Law admission view book, and here to receive news updates from the school delivered straight to your inbox.

Second year law student Sarah Hajovsky wants to use her J.D. in the field of international human rights. She doesn’t have to go overseas, however, to gain the necessary legal experience. Instead, she only has to travel ten miles from the Regent University campus to gain exposure to some of the most important international humanitarian work being done today. Since September, Hajovsky has been externing 12-15 hours a week with the Civil Military Fusion Centre (CFC) at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Supreme Allied Command Headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia. Her projects support CFC’s goal of “creating an environment where information can flow freely between civilian and military actors engaged in complex crises, with the intent to ultimately help those in need.” “I thoroughly enjoy participating in projects that have international significance,” said Hajovsky. “And CFC is designed to facilitate communication between non-government organizations and the military when hand

Third year law student Melissa Hudgins recognizes that her hands-on work with Regent’s Civil Litigation clinic will improve her career prospects. For her, however, Regent’s Clinic is about much more than personal gain. “The beauty of the Clinic is not only the practical experience it offers students,” she said, “but that it allows clients to have a hand in changing students’ perceptions about those who depend on government aid to survive.” This semester, Hudgins has been working on behalf of a single mother of three whose food stamp and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits had been terminated. The client received this sanction because she was alleged to have intentionally violated the program’s requirements. In order to properly defend her client’s cause, Hudgins took the time to get to know her. She discovered that in addition to a lack of education, her client experienced difficulty finding adequate child care and transportation, all of which prevented her fr

Just when does government regulation of the media go too far? Or, does it ever not go far enough? Even if a particular regulatory act is constitutional, is it prudent? The 2009 Law Review Symposium attempted to answer these questions October 9 – 10, 2009. Regent Law Review Editor in Chief, Benjamin Eastburn, commented on the forum topic’s timeliness. “We chose ‘Media and the Law’ because of its seemingly universal presence in political discussions and news stories over the past year,” he said. “People have heard a lot about the Fairness Doctrine, television and internet regulation, et cetera. Discussing these topics was a necessary step towards informing the legal community on the difficult questions our symposium posed.” The weekend started on Friday with a kick-off banquet featuring special guest Judge Andrew P. Napolitano. He entertained and challenged guests with a lively look at the foundations of 1st amendment freedoms. Judge Napolitano, former New Jersey Superior Court

Sentara Healthcare was founded in Norfolk, VA in 1888 and now is the largest integrated health care provider in southeastern Virginia and North Carolina, serving more than 2 million residents. Still headquartered in Norfolk, Sentara often recruits Regent Law students for internships, externships, and possible job opportunities within the corporation. Two students, Michael Deering (2L) and Erica Pero (3L), are currently enjoying the rigors of an externship with Sentara’s legal department. Both students praise the experience for adding to their studies a depth of skills not gained in the classroom. “I was treated as a young attorney and was expected to produce results equivalent to the work of a young attorney,” said Deering of his externship experience. “The practice of law is not law school. The drudgery of reading for class and writing memos morphs into an excitement about producing the best work product possible.” Pero agrees. “The legal department at Sentara Healthcare is a

Regent University School of Law Professor Kathleen McKee recently presented a specialized seminar on Clinical Legal Education at the English for Human Rights Attorneys Conference in Galway, Ireland, August 7 – 21. The conference and seminar, attended primarily by human rights attorneys from Iran, was held under the auspices of Johns Hopkins University’s Protection Project . “I was pleased to see that seminar attendees understood the importance of clinical education as providing access to justice for people who are not able to retain an attorney,” McKee said. “They seemed very committed to this issue.” In preparation for the seminar, McKee analyzed Iran’s constitution and civil code, and also conducted background research in family law, labor law, and other areas likely to be engaged within the scope of clinical education. McKee looks forward to future work in social justice and human rights issues with foundations like the Protection Project. “I’m hopeful that there will be opportuni

Regent University School of Law’s Trial Advocacy Board is busy making a name for itself. After being awarded “Best Brief” last year at the invitation-only National Pretrial Competition hosted by Stetson University, the team was ready for more. And this year, they got exactly what they aimed for. The team of Lu Aloupas, Jerry Harris, Kate Hart, and David Johnson were named Overall 1st Place Team and National Pretrial Champions at the competition held October 3-4, in Gulfport, Florida. In addition to this honorable achievement, the team was recognized for Overall Best Brief once again, teammate Hart was given Best Oral Advocate in the Semi-Final Round, and teammate Harris was given Best Oral Advocate in the Final Round. The team did not lose a round during the entire competition, even when slated against Chicago-Kent, a traditional top-ten Trial Advocacy powerhouse. To compete, the team submitted written briefs on a pretrial motion and presented oral arguments and evidence on the

Just when does government regulation of the media go too far? Or, does it ever not go far enough? Even if a particular regulatory act is constitutional, is it prudent? The 2009 Law Review Symposium is set to answer these questions October 9 – 10, 2009 on the Regent University campus in Virginia Beach, VA. Law Review Editor in Chief, Benjamin Eastburn, commented on the forum topic’s timeliness: “We chose ‘Media and the Law’ because of its seemingly universal presence in political discussions and news stories over the past year,” he said. “People have heard a lot about the Fairness Doctrine, television and internet regulation, et cetera. Discussion on these topics is necessary to inform the legal community on the difficult questions our symposium poses.” The weekend begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with a kick-off banquet featuring special guest Judge Andrew P. Napolitano. Judge Napolitano , former New Jersey Superior Court Judge, serves as FOX News’ senior judicial analyst. He joi

This past summer, Regent 2L Terah Gaertner was privileged to attend three-days of training at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as part of her U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) internship. She spent most of her summer internship at Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia where she drafted memos, researched law, and observed court proceedings at Langley Air Force Base and the Federal Magistrate Court. “I was immersed in issues ranging from DUI cases, to ethics issues, to the law of war and what the military must do legally in order to apprehend a perceived hostile,” said Gaertner. The highlight of her internship, however, was an invitation from the Office of the Judge Advocate General in Washington, D.C., to travel with a select group of students to Guantanamo Bay. Selected JAG interns from D.C., Maryland, and Virginia took three days to tour the facilities and learn about the base’s military operations. They spoke with doctors, lawyers, translators, guards, and high-ranking military off

Thursday, September 17, 2009, Regent’s Trial Advocacy Board hosted its first Trial Practice Seminar of the year. Aiming to orient students to all aspects of prosecuting cases, the seminar explored both the theoretical and practical decision-making strategies of prosecutors. Three Commonwealth Attorneys were the guests of honor: Chesapeake’s Nancy Parr, Newport News’ Howard Gwynn, and Virginia Beach’s Harvey Bryant. The notable figures spoke to students on a wide array of criminal justice topics. “Regent students were fortunate to have the expertise of three elected Commonwealth Attorneys,” said Andrew Page, Chairman of the Trial Advocacy Board. “These are the attorneys who present the biggest and most controversial cases. They also have the responsibility of representing the large number of citizens who voted them in.” The night was a great success, giving students answers to important practice questions such as: What standard do prosecutors use when deciding to bring a case? Whe

Law Professor Brad Jacob took part in a panel discussion interview for Enrichment Journal, a print publication for Assemblies of God ministers, on legal issues facing the church. Law Professor Lynne Marie Kohm continued her ongoing discussion of the case of Rifqa Barry with CBN News last Tuesday. Barry, an Ohio teenager, fled to Florida because she feared reprisals from her family for converting from Islam to Christianity.

Each year the University Library, in partnership with the Law Library and the Office of Student Services, presents an informative panel designed to give students a deeper appreciation for the Constitution and its impact on current events. The 5th Annual Constitution Day on September 17th addressed the issues of freedom of expression and new developments in first amendment interpretation. The following distinguished guests spoke from their expertise on the topics, including discussions on the first amendment and the press, journalism, the internet, and legal obligations: Admiral Vern Clark (Retired Chief of U.S. Naval Operations) Dr. Bruce Swaffield (School of Communications and the Arts) Professor James Duane (School of Law) Wendy Griffith (co-anchor of CBN News) Professor Lynne Marie Kohm (School of Law) “My goal is to help develop an exciting, informational and inspirational event for the campus community that will help the library stay at the core of academic life o

“Corporate Law. Business Transactions,” laughed Lisa Rothwell-Copeland, “These aren’t bad words!” A group of students interested in public interest law gathered last Friday to hear from Rothwell-Copeland, a successful public interest advocate who founded Public Interest Legal Advocates of Regent (PILAR) as a 1L in 2001. Today, PILAR has grown to a membership that includes over one third of the student body. Rothwell-Copeland returned to encourage all students that in the depressed economy there is a huge need for public interest lawyers. She also reminded those gathered that the desire to be a corporate attorney is not a bad thing. “No matter what your expertise or chosen field,” she said, “there are always pro-bono clients in need of your service.” Like many Regent students, Rothwell-Copeland came to Regent to pursue a legal career that benefits under-represented populations. She now primarily deals with family law cases in rural Ohio. Nationally, no more than 2.5 to 3 percent

Joel Rosenberg, best-selling author and communication strategist, spoke with Regent students on September 9th about the increasing threat radical Islam is to America and its allies. Rosenberg has written numerous fiction titles centered in the Middle East and based in Christian end times beliefs. He has also advised influential leaders including Steve Forbes, Rush Limbaugh, former Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Natan Sharansky, and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His newest nonfiction work, Inside the Revolution, illuminates three groups he sees battling for the Middle East: Radicals, Reformers, and Revivalists. An accompanying documentary film with the same title explores the global implications of radical Islam and the church’s response. Rosenberg reminded students of their place in a pivotal point of history and encouraged them to think about what role the church should play at “such a time as this.” Rosenberg will explore this issue in great detail during a

On Thursday , Professor Lynne Marie Kohm commented on the case in Florida involving a teen girl who converted to Christianity from Islam and has run away from her Ohio family because she fears for her life. Kohm appeared on CBN News again on Friday  morning to discuss further developments in the Rifqa Bary case.

Regent University School of Law Alumni continue to publish with some of the nation’s leading journals. Here’s just a snapshot of Regent Law alumni who have published scholarly articles and essays in recent years: (Please Note: All links will open in a PDF file) William Lee Andrews III (’97) " No Bull’s Eye for “Targeted” International Tax Rules " 16 Virginia Tax Review 781 (1999). Charles Mark Bennett (’06) "Takings Under the Big Sky Post Kelo" 31 Montana Lawyer 5 (March 2006). Karen Turnage Boyd (’05) " The Tale of Two Systems: How Integrated Divorce Laws Can Remedy the Unintended Effects of Pure No Fault Divorce " 12 Cardozo Journal of Law & Gender 609 (2006). Lisa A. Brion (’08) " Constitutionally Coerced: Why Sentencing a Convicted Offender to a Faith Based Rehabilitation Program Does Not Violate the Establishment Clause " 7 Connecticut Public Interest Law Journal 263 (2008). Debra M. Bryan (’04) " It’s

On Friday, August 21, 110 Regent University School of Law students, faculty and alumni joined forces to serve the Hampton Roads area through community service projects. Participants volunteered at six different sites—Union Mission, Habitat for Humanity (Norfolk and Virginia Beach), Norfolk Law Library, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia—completing approximately 550 hours of community service in just one day. "The overall response to Regent Law's Community Service event was astounding," said Val Johnson, a Regent Law student career services staff member. "It's exciting to know that so many students and alumni are dedicated to meeting the needs of others." The purpose of the day was to increase outreach in the local community, as well as to bridge the gap between students and alumni and to become advocates of Regent's mission, which involves actively working towards change and impact on the world. Volunteers at the va

Law Professor David Velloney will be the keynote speaker at the 32nd Criminal Law Advocacy Course at the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, Virginia, on September 25, 2009. The Criminal Law Advocacy Course provides advanced individualized training to lawyers from all branches of the military. Throughout the course criminal prosecutors and defense attorneys participate in rigorous small-group practical exercises on essential litigation skills from opening statement through closing argument. Professor Velloney’s keynote address, entitled “The Top 10 Ways Case Preparation Improves Your Advocacy,” will culminate the two-week course and provide junior attorneys with insights from an experienced litigator, law professor, and former Army JAG.

Rising 3L Christina Hulett is contributing to the corporate ethics conversation. In her article “Corporations Are People Too: What Role Should Corporations Have in Fighting Bribery?”, Hulett explains the negative impact that corporate bribery has, especially on impoverished countries. “The article acknowledges that some corporations are trying to operate within an ethical framework, but they are losing business because not all corporations are held to the same standard—especially those outside the United States,” said Hulett. Her article first proposes an amendment to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a federal law that addresses the bribery of foreign officials. This amendment would provide a remedy for corporations that operate ethically but lose business to those that practice unethically. Second, it proposes a cause of action for corporations to bring charges against unethical businesses on behalf of the United States. Ave Maria Journal of International Law will publish H

Lynne Marie Kohm , John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law, appeared on CBN News August 19 th to discuss issues that lie beneath the surface of proposed health care reform legislation. She addressed concerns surrounding a section of the proposed bill that would enable government officials to come into people’s homes for parenting skills training. On August 20 th , Kohm also commented for CBN News on the highly publicized case of Rifqa Bary, a teenage girl who converted from Islam to Christianity and fled from her Ohio home to a pastor’s home in Florida. A Florida court is deciding whether Bary can be emancipated or if she must return to her family in Ohio.

In his popular lecture “Don’t Talk to the Police!,” Professor James Duane gives viewers startling reasons why they should always exercise their 5th Amendment rights when questioned by government officials. Posted on YouTube.com in June of 2008, Duane’s lecture was quickly recognized by Google as a top-ten most watched video. YouTube currently reports that the two-part video has been viewed over 700,000 times since it was posted. Watch “Don’t Talk to the Police!”

The current issue of PreLaw Magazine, a quarterly publication of National Jurist, highlights Regent Law in an anchor story, Fostering Faith . Regent Law Dean Jeffrey Brauch was interviewed for the story and enjoys a prominent feature, along with a handful of Deans from other leading religiously-affiliated law schools. The story, found here , draws out the positive effect religious commitments have on law school life and academics.

John Huddleston, President of the Virginia State Bar, has created an inspiring project called The Big Picture. An online display of the unique lives of Virginia’s lawyers, the project aims to unite the state’s bar and stir members to service. “I believe it is important to recognize the time, effort, and energy of some of Virginia’s finest volunteers,” said Huddleston. “Lawyers remain integrally involved in their community. In essence, lawyers are part of the big picture.” Part of that “big picture” includes an essay on the concept of “calling” by Lynne Marie Kohm, John Brown McCarty Professor of Family Law at Regent. Kohm was approached by the Virginia bar to write an essay in keeping with its goal of showcasing the good works of Virginia’s lawyers. Kohm’s thought-provoking piece, which is a good read for anyone no matter their career path, can be found here . With a continued focus on diversity of thought, in the next year Huddleston hopes to “tell the story of some of Virginia’s fine