Regent Law News

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.

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 jurisdictio...

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) Lex...

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. 25...

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.

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 ...

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 a...

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.

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 ...