Regent Law News

Christy L. Murphy '06, Ryan G. Ferguson '05, and Nathaniel L. Story '08, were honored as “2013 Virginia Legal Elite Young Lawyers” by the Virginia Business Magazine .  Murphy is an associate with Kaufman & Canoles’ Norfolk, Va., office, where she specializes in bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, and business restructuring, as well as litigation.  At Bischoff Martingayle, Ferguson’s practice areas include civil litigation, estate litigation, and creditor’s rights. Story is an attorney at Hirschler Fleischer Attorneys at Law. He practices in construction and suretyship, commercial disputes, litigation and ADR, and bankruptcy and creditor’s rights. Each year, Virginia Business Magazine highlights lawyers under 40 who are considered some of the best attorneys in the state. For 2013, Virginia Business Magazine honored 52 young lawyers, as well as 816 lawyers in other categories.  See the full list of “2013 Virginia Legal Elite Young Lawyers” here . 

Dean Jeffrey Brauch  was quoted in a  Virginian-Pilot  article on Monday, November 18. The article discussed the legal definition of “reasonableness” in relation to the ongoing discussion over new tolls in Southeastern Virginia. Professor Bradley Jacob  did several interviews about constitutional issues regarding President Obama’s delays in implementing portions of the Affordable Care Act. On Wednesday, November 20, he was a guest on  The Wall Street Journal This Morning  (250 stations) and the USA Radio Network. On Tuesday, November 19, he was a guest on  The Andy Caldwell Show  in San Bernardino, Calif. Professor Lynne Marie Kohm  will participate in the International Studies Association Annual Conference in Toronto on March 26, 2014. She will be on a panel for the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and will present "A 25 Year Assessment of Whether the CRC Has Helped Children."

Through the Right to Work Practicum at Regent University School of Law, Regent’s law students have recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in not one, but two cases being heard by the United States Supreme Court. The United States Supreme Court will rule on Mulhall v. UNITE HERE in 2014. Students participated in both Mulhall v. UNITE HERE , a major labor law case heard by the United States Supreme Court on November 13, and Harris v. Quinn, another important labor law case which the court will review in 2014. Under the guidance of Professor Bruce Cameron, a National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation litigator and Reed Larson Professor of Labor Law at Regent University (pictured) , law students provided research for the lead attorney in Mulhall v. UNITE HERE .  Students also conducted research for Harris v. Quinn . “Most attorneys never file a case that the U.S. Supreme Court will consider,” says Professor Cameron.  “Few attorneys are involved in cases

For the third consecutive year, Regent University's School of Law Moot Court team has advanced to the finals of the National Moot Court Competition. On Saturday, Nov. 16, Regent's team finished second place overall in the regional round held in Richmond, Va. Regent's team also took home the best brief award, marking the second year in a row Regent has received this distinction. The finals will be held February 2014 in New York City. "I was gratified to hear the outcome of the New York Bar Association Regional Tournament. Our team prepared and competed with excellence, and they showed once again that Regent students can compete with anyone in the country in their advocacy skills," said Jeffrey Brauch, dean of the School of Law. "I look forward to seeing them compete for the National Championship in the spring, and I praise God for their success!" Third year Regent Law students Sharon Kerk, Erik McCauley, and Joshua Smith comprise this year&#

Unfurling in the regime of North Korea are shocking events meeting at the intersection of a present-day Holocaust and Underground Railroad. Though the traumas evolving within the country are mostly unheard of by the rest of the world, the religious and political persecution taking place in North Korea affects nearly 200,000 people trapped in concentration camps. Regent University School of Law's Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law explored these human rights abuses during the North Korea Human Rights Summit early in November. Students obtained an inside glance into the tumultuous violations such as torture, starvation, forced abortions, beatings and assaults that take place in the nation every day. "This is arguably the greatest human rights abuse that's taking place today," said Ernie Walton, administrative director for the Center for Global Justice. "The people are starving; they don't have rights—and the extent of the hum

Professor James Davids is currently in Kiev presenting two lectures on the “History of Western Legal Tradition” to evangelical Christians in Eastern Europe. Professor Davids will also give a lecture on constitutional law at the invitation of the Federalist Society at Villanova University School of Law on Thursday, November 21. Professor James Duane accepted an offer to publish “Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Pointless Remand” in the Berkeley Journal of Criminal Law. Professor Michael Hernandez will be in Richmond, Va. on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16 coaching a team of Regent Law students (Sharon Kerk, Erik McCauley, and Joshua Smith) at the regional National Moot Court Competition. There are 21 teams in this region, and the top two teams advance to the NYC nationals in February. Professor Lynne Marie Kohm submitted a book chapter for Child Participation in Justice, which will be published by the Oxford University Press. The chapter is called "Teen

The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) hosted a Care for Caretakers program on Tuesday, November 5. Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) hosted a Single Soldiers Holiday Cards Project meant to provide holiday cards for single soldiers on deployment on Wednesday, November 6. They will continue to host the event on Wednesday, November 13 and 20. On Thursday, November 7, Darius Davenport , professor and director of career services at Regent Law, spoke at Law Chapel. He addressed the importance of remembering God's past victories in our lives and His faithfulness to bring triumph in our present circumstances. Previous Law Chapel messages may be viewed here .

On Monday, October 28, Career Services hosted Regent Law’s first ever Search Firm Career Fair & Program for students to interview for temporary legal positions and learn about available resources. Honorable Frank J. Santoro of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia, North Division, was a guest speaker in Professor Pryor’s UCC II Secured Transactions Course on Tuesday, October 29. The Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Society (IPELS) hosed guest speaker Attorney Edward Langer, Advisor and Patent Attorney from Israel on Monday, October 28. He spoke about the differences between U.S. and Israel Patent Law. On Tuesday, October 29, the Regent Law Moot Court Board hosted Attorney William "Bill" Messenger of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation who mooted an upcoming case to be heard by the United States Supreme Court. The Federalist Society hosted a Biblical Law Integration Colloquium featuring Professor Lee Strang

Amanda Freeman ('09) has joined the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. Read the press release here . Jeremy Gray ('09) has become a full partner at the Newman, Thompson and Gray Law Firm in Forest City, Iowa. Read the story, which is featured in the Forest City Summit, here . Stephen Casey (‘07) and Greg Terra (‘01) appeared on The Kelly Files discussing a follow-up to the news story here . View the video of the interview. On Monday, October 7, as the Supreme Court of the United States opened for its October 2013 term, Regent Law alumni Tiffany Barrans ('09) , Matthew Clark ('08) , Carly Gammill ('07) , Shaheryar Gill ('09) , Marshall Goldman ('08) , Jordan Sekulow ('09) , Abigail Southerland ('07) , Michelle Terry ('09) , Miles Terry ('09) , and Tyler Weiss ('09) were admitted to the Supreme Court Bar. Read the full story here . Congratulations to alumnus Lauren Mehosky ('05) who received one of the Insi

In a political season marked by gridlock and diatribe, Regent University's 11th Annual Clash of the Titans® struck a more collegial chord as political heavyweights from both sides of the aisle squared off over the topic of Presidential Power: Has the Executive Branch Gone Too Far? At the event on Friday, Oct. 25, the speakers staked out strong and often opposing positions, yet also managed to find common ground on what unites Americans. Nearly 800 people turned out to hear the esteemed panel of political heavyweights: David Axelrod, former Obama senior strategist; David Plouffe, former Obama senior adviser; Newt Gingrich, former House Speaker; and Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). Dana Perino, former White House Press Secretary and FOX News co-anchor, moderated the debate. View more photos . The speakers' opening remarks set the stage for the rousing 90-minute dialogue. Gingrich began, providing a brief lesson in the Constit

To Ernie Walton '11 (School of Law), the dedication to justice is the same as committing to Christ. During the fall 2013 semester, Walton began serving as the administrative director for the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. As a Law school alumnus, and one of the Center's first summer interns, Walton spent his summer as a 2L in Strasburg, France, at the European Center for Law and Justice; and worked largely on cases involving intervention for religious freedom. "That began the training, equipping and fulfilling that I believe was God's calling on my life to do this type of work," said Walton. As he takes on his new leadership role, Walton hopes that Regent Law students involved in the Center for Global Justice will experience a combination of academic and on-the-ground work that will train them to be legal justice advocates—just as Jeffrey Brauch, dean of the School of Law, witnessed in Walton's life as a student. "As

In an increasingly complex society, the need for legal training is becoming even more vital. Many people interacting with the law—human resource managers, compliance officers, contract managers and others—will need legal training but not necessarily a J.D. That's why the Regent University School of Law will offer its first Master of Arts in Law for prospective students seeking a competitive edge in today's job market. This newest program is just one in a series of steps Regent Law is taking in its efforts to position the school for the future and better meet the needs of employers and students. "Regent Law is, again, at the vanguard at reforming legal education and making it attainable," said Sean Kirnan, director of Enrollment Marketing & Communication for the School of Law. Other recent program innovations include options for a two-year J.D. and the launch of the Center for Ethical Formation and Legal Education Reform. Though many occupations in the

The Regent Law Moot Court Board hosted the 13th Annual Leroy R. Hassell, Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition on October 18 and 19 at Regent University. On Monday, October 21, Career Services hosted a panel called “Jobs in the Federal Government,” which featured several attorneys: Nicole Foltz ‘08 , who was recently named one of “ The 25 Most Influential Washington Women Under 35 ,” Spiro Ballas ‘07 , a former PMF Fellow who is now serving as a senior foreign affairs analyst for the U.S. Department of State, and Valerie Payne ‘09 , an attorney for Campus Crusade for Christ and a former judicial clerk for the U.S. District Court. On Tuesday, October 22, the Center for Global Justice hosted a Developing Justice and Reconciliation in Affairs luncheon, which featured guest speakers Leah Boyd, who is the director of justice initiatives at African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries ( ALARM ), and South Sudanese Pastor James Baak . Professor Gloria Whittico s

Kristen Waggoner ’97 is the Senior Vice President of Legal Services and Senior Counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal organization that advocates for people’s right to live out their faith through efforts in strategy, training, funding, and litigation. Kristen has been passionate about defending religious freedom since she first felt God calling her to the practice of law at the age of thirteen, and now she finds herself on the front lines of ADF’s efforts to combat attacks on religious freedom in the U.S. in the past months. While enrolled in Regent University’s School of Law, Kristen served on law review and moot court, and after graduating Cum Laude in 1997, Kristen clerked for Justice Richard Sanders on the Washington Supreme Court. She then joined Ellis, Li & McKinstry PLLC, a general practice law firm in Seattle. While at ELM, Kristen’s practice focused mainly on representation of religious organizations, and she defended churches, pastors, and Christian

Processor Scott Pryor   will oversee the new Bankruptcy Practicum beginning in the Spring 2014 Semester. Through the practicum, students, who will serve consumers filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, will apply legal concepts to real-life situations, interact with clients facing financial hardship, and gain professional skills. Each semester, up to four students will be accepted into the program, and each student will spend 60 hours over the course of the semester working in mentoring relationships with bankruptcy lawyers in Hampton Roads. The practicum will allow law firms to provide discounted consumer bankruptcy work for clients who cannot afford it, helping decrease the current strain on the court system. “Over one million people in the United States file individual Chapter 7 bankruptcies,” Professor Pryor explains. “To file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, lawyer fees are about $2,500. Many people don’t have the money, so some go online, complete the confusi

Professors  Kenny Ching , and  David Wagne r  will be participating in a panel discussion on a Christian perspective on constitutional law during the Regent Law Faculty Colloquium on October 29. Professor James Davids  presented a lecture entitled “Is the Present Administration the Worst Abuser of Executive Power in History?”  last week at Calvin College, Hillsdale College, and Spring Arbor University. Professor James J. Duane  will be lecturing on constitutional law to the Federalist Society at Nova Law School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 4. On October 25  Professor Thomas Folsom  will be participating at the Seventh Annual Intellectual  Property Scholars Forum sponsored by the University of Akron School of Law’s Center for Intellectual Property and Technology. On October 28, Professor Folsom will be a speaker at Gonzaga Law School where he will be presenting a paper entitled “Building a Trademark and Copyright-Compliant Internet: Can it be Done?” On October 31- N

In its annual law school rankings, The Princeton Review has recognized Regent University School of Law's faculty as among the top ten in the nation. Read the full story  here . Professor Kenneth Ching  will present “Justice and Harsh Results: Beyond Individualism and Collectivism in Contracts” at KCON9's 9th Annual Conference on Contracts. Professor Scott Pryor presented a paper at the conference last year.  Professor James J. Duane  will lecture about constitutional law at the invitation of the student chapters of the Federalist Society at Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, Va., on Thursday, October 17 at 2:30 p.m., and Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Mass., on Tuesday, October 22 at 4:00 p.m. Professor Lynne Marie Kohm  presented “Child Participation in Justice: Family Involvement as the Key to Love and Respect” in Haifa, Israel, as a part of a forthcoming publication from Oxford University Press and hosted a roundtable discussion on juvenile justice amon

In its annual law school rankings, The Princeton Review has recognized Regent University School of Law's faculty as among the top ten in the nation. The rankings are generated from student surveys conducted across the United States each year to help prospective students to find the school that is best suited for them. "I am gratified to see The Princeton Review's recognition of the outstanding law faculty we have at Regent University School of Law,” Jeffrey Brauch law school dean. “These men and women are excellent teachers and are dedicated to teaching students with rigor and excellence. In addition, they care personally and deeply for our students and invest in their lives. It's a joy to be a part of this learning community." The 2013 survey placed Regent Law professors among a select group of law schools including Duke, Stanford, Washington and Lee, and the University of Virginia. The Princeton Review surveyed more than 18,500 students at 169 law school

On Monday Oct. 7, as the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) opened for its new October 2013 term, 10 former Regent University School of Law students serving as staff attorneys for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) were admitted to the Supreme Court bar. "Moving the admission of 12 ACLJ-trained lawyers and 10 Regent Law graduates to the Supreme Court bar is a part of the vision that Dr. M.G. "Pat" Robertson had when he founded the ACLJ over 20 years ago," said Jay Sekulow '04 (School of Business & Leadership), chief counsel for ACLJ. Sekulow is also a guest lecturer in Regent's School of Law, teaching elective courses such as Supreme Court History and seminars regarding the latest Supreme Court cases. Regent's campus is home to one of the primary offices of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), providing School of Law students volunteer and paid opportunities to assist ACLJ staff attorneys on international pro-fam

Students involved in the Right to Work Practicum with Professor Bruce Cameron worked on the labor law case of Mulhall v. UNITE HERE, a case granted review by the Supreme Court of the United States, which may be mooted at Regent Law. So far this fall, the Civil Litigation Clinic has conducted intake on 23 different cases. 3L Donnie Gayle of Norfolk, Va, was featured in a student spotlight. The Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law Society (IPELS) held a general meeting on Monday, September 30. The Student Bar Association (SBA) Mentor Luncheon was hosted on Tuesday, October 1. Students posed for a bowtie photo with Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday, October 1. Professor Lynne Kohm presented research from the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law and the Child Advocacy Practicum in a talk titled, “Child Participation in Justice: The Teen Court Movement” on Tuesday, October 1. Reverend John C. Bates lead pastor of Free

Professor James Boland is publishing "Is Free Speech Compatible with Human Dignity, Equality and Democratic Government: America a Free Speech Island in a Sea of Censorship" with the Drexel Law Review (forthcoming 2013). Professor Eleanor Brown presented "Tax Sweets or Eliminate 'Sweet' Subsidies from the American Diet? Can Taxation Make Us Healthier?" at the Regent University Law Review Symposium on Emerging Issues in Food Law. The symposium was held on September 28, 2013. Professor Eric DeGroff is working on "An Assessment of the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act" to examine the effectiveness of the Uniform Code on Environmental Covenants, which was promulgated in 2003 and has been adopted by a few state jurisdictions. On Friday, September 27, Professor Brad Jacob spoke at two university chapels at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind. Several thousand students, faculty members, and administrators attended. His message, "Ma

3L Min-shik Kim of Daegu, South Korea, was featured in a student spotlight. The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund (SALDF) held a general interest meeting on Monday, September 23. Regent Students For Life (RSFL) held a general interest meeting on Monday, September 23. The International Law Society (ILS) held a general interest meeting on Tuesday, September 24. The office of Career Services hosted representatives from the Navy JAG Corps on Tuesday, September 24. Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft welcomed students to his summer home for an ice cream social on Wednesday evening, September 25. Professor Michael Hernandez spoke at Law Chapel. Previous Law Chapel messages may be viewed here . An annual Constitution Day Debate was held on campus on Thursday, September 26. The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) hosted an event on Friday, September 27.

Professor Eric DeGroff has circulated an article discussing his latest research on the impact electronic distractions have on law students' learning processes to various journals. DeGroff was recently named the Managing Editor of the Chemical Waste Litigation Reporter and was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell to the Virginia Waste Management Board. Professors  Natt Gantt and Ben Madison submitted a book proposal to Carolina Academic Press on best practices for teaching professional identity formation . Professor Louis Hensler submitted his book, "Torts: Cases, Materials, Questions and Comments" (2014-15 ed), to publishers. Professor Michael Hernandez  accepted a publication offer from West for his book "Mastering Estates in Land & Future Interests." Professor Lynne Marie Kohm recently published "Why Marriage is Still the Best Default in Estate Planning Conflicts," 117 Penn State L. Rev. 1219 (2013), which is available for download he

STUDENT NEWS 2L Katherine David  of Leesburg, Virginia, was featured in this student spotlight. The Student Bar Association (SBA) hosted a table day for student organizations on Monday, September 16. Interviews with Army JAG were held on campus on Tuesday, September 17. The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) hosted an interest meeting on Tuesday, September 17. The group is now accepting students for their tutoring program at the Juvenile Detention Center. Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) hosted table days on Tuesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 19. As part of Regent Law's Academic Success Program, Professor Gantt and Professor Whittico hosted a Study Skills Workshop on Thursday, September 19, titled “Outlining for Exam Success.” Professor Gantt delivered the week’s Law Chapel message. Previous Law Chapel messages may be viewed here . FACULTY/STAFF NEWS Professor James Boland is publishing an article titled "A Progressive Revolution: Man, Superman, &am

This September, five Regent Law students launched a chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that provides a forum for education, advocacy, and scholarship aimed at protecting and advancing animal rights through the legal system. It is the only law student organization of its kind on campus. SALDF President and Founder Leslie VanOrden says she has always been an animal lover and decided to start an SALDF chapter after joining the national Animal Legal Defense Fund. “Students will have an opportunity to look at the issues animals face from a legal point of view,” she explains. “Our organization seeks to bring these issues to the public’s eye, address them from a legal perspective, and raise awareness.” With animal interests impacting many types of law, including entertainment, food, and family law, the chapter’s founders say that SALDF provides an opportunity for students to understand that animal interests is a diverse and growing area of law. “By mak

STUDENT NEWS 3L Joseph Maughon of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was featured in a student spotlight. On Monday, September 9, the Federalist Society hosted guest speaker Doug Bandow , a senior fellow with the CATO institute to discuss the issue of Syria and what involvement, if any, the United States should have in the matter. Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) hosted a table day on Thursday, September 12. Interviews with Suffolk City Attorney's Office were held on campus on Thursday, September 12. Dave Velloney, pastor at River Oak Church and professor at Regent Law, delivered this week’s Law Chapel message titled “The Gift of Work” about work as a blessing and gift from God. Previous Law Chapel messages may be viewed here. The Virginia Bar Association Student Council (VBA LSC) hosted a table day on Thursday, September 12. In part to bring awareness to the month of September as Hunger Action Month, members also dressed in orange (the symbolic color of hunger) to spread awareness of hun

PreLaw magazine, a premier publication for prospective law students, recently highlighted Regent University School of Law’s Center for Ethical Formation and Legal Reform in its “Back to School” issue. The issue explores 25 new ideas law schools are advancing to recast legal education by incorporating skills and training that will better equip students to practice law after graduation. “We are pleased with the recognition in preLaw magazine, as it is another indicator of how legal education is experiencing a needed renaissance in its focus on the character formation of law students,” says Professor Natt Gantt, co-director of the Center for Ethical Formation. Regent Law’s Center for Ethical Formation is at the vanguard of legal education reform. Drawing on the principles outlined in the Carnegie Foundation’s landmark report, “Educating Lawyers: Preparation for the Practice of Law,” the Center for Ethical Formation develops the ethical framework necessary for students to achieve t

FACULTY/STAFF NEWS Professor Kenneth Ching  spoke at Regent Law chapel this past Thursday. View chapels online  here . Professor Kathleen McKee  will be a panelist for the Hampton Roads World Affairs Council on issues surrounding human trafficking on Wednesday, September 11 in Norfolk.  See  http://www.hrwac.org/  for more details. Professor Ben Madison  recently posted his latest piece on identity formation to  SSRN . Professor Tessa Dysart ’s article published by the  Columbia Human Rights Law Review  can be found  here . Professor Kenneth Ching  recently posted his latest piece on a Thomist approach to collectivism in contracts to  SSRN . Professor Jim Davids  is sending out his latest piece on public funding of religious colleges to all the CCCU deans and colleges. 5 Regent J. L. & Pub. Pol’y 11 (2013). Dean Jeffrey Brauch  just published a piece on human rights since 9/11 at 31 Quinnipiac L. Rev. 339 (2013).   Professors Ben Madison  and  Natt Gantt  are writi

Alumnus Dean Broyles ('95) was interviewed for the September edition of California Lawyer  regarding his passion for protecting religious freedom, as well as protecting Christians from persecution.

School of Law Professor Bradley Jacob appeared on CBN's NewsWatch on Friday, Aug. 30. Professor Jacob talked about Constitutional issues regarding possible U.S. military involvement in Syria.

Commentary from law alumna Megan Lindsey '07 was recently featured in Jurist magazine. Jurist is the world's only law school-based comprehensive legal news and research service. Lindsey serves as counsel for the National Council for Adoption . Read Lindsey’s commentary here .

In the months before summer break, law students compete for the coveted judicial internships which provide them with the opportunity to fine-tune their writing and research skills, observe court cases, and make the connections that often lead to full-time employment. This summer, more than 40 Regent Law students enjoyed judicial internships nationwide, from Courts of Appeal in Arizona and Texas to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Regardless of where they served, Regent’s judicial interns agree that their experiences provided them with exceptional skills, training, and an opportunity to observe the judicial process first-hand. Kevin Hoffman, lead articles editor for the Regent University Law Review and vice chairman for the Trial Advocacy Board, interned for Federal District Judge Mark Davis of the Eastern District of Virginia. Hoffman valued Judge Davis’ mentorship in particular. “Judge Davis took a special interest in ensuring that my summer was a positive experience and in

When Abigail Skeans started law school, she resolved not to pursue criminal or juvenile law. God, however, had other plans. In 2012, God brought her to Uganda to work with Children Justice Initiative (Sixty Feet) to help strengthen juvenile justice programs through legal advocacy and collaboration with government officials and international NGOs to implement case management programs and other reforms on behalf of children in East Africa. In her latest blog post about her experiences, Abigail reflects on her first days in Uganda and the unimaginable adventure she’s had over the past year. Abigail says that on July 8, 2012, her first day in Uganda, her heart changed. “To this day, I cannot accurately articulate the evolution that occurred in my heart during my first few hours with the nearly 200 children awaiting trial in such desperate circumstances,” she writes. “After that first experience, I have been adamantly devoted to working on their behalf.” Abigail has witnessed tran