Regent Law News

Regent Law Hires Two New Faculty Members—Both Yale Law Graduates—for Fall 2022

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 12:41:00 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (July 5, 2022) – Today, Regent University School of Law announced the appointment of two new members of its faculty, Erin Morrow Hawley and David D. Velloney. Both Hawley and Velloney are graduates of Yale Law School.

Professor Hawley will teach constitutional law and serve as a senior fellow at the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law. Professor Velloney will focus on criminal law, military law, and constitutional criminal procedure. Professors Hawley and Velloney are the third and fourth professors added to the Regent Law faculty in the past year.

“We are incredibly fortunate to attract such exceptional teachers, mentors, and scholars to our faculty,” said Brad Lingo, dean of Regent University School of Law. “Our students will love learning from professors Hawley and Velloney and benefit from the depth of experience and Christian perspectives they bring.”

New Faculty Appointments:

Erin Morrow Hawley: Associate Professor of Constitutional Law

J.D., Yale Law School
Law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III of the Fourth Circuit.
Counsel to Attorney General Michael Mukasey at U.S. Department of Justice
Associate professor of law at the University of Missouri
Taught constitutional law as a senior fellow at the Kinder Institute for Constitutional Democracy
Extensive experience litigating matters at U.S. Supreme Court, including as counsel to Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Frequent commentator on legal issues in broadcast and print; with features in World Magazine, USA Today, Fox News, the Washington Examiner, the Legal Times, and the Hill, among others.
Author of Living Beloved: Lessons from My Little Ones About the Heart of God, published by Focus of the Family, 2018.

David D. Velloney: Senior Lecturer in Criminal Law, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, and Military Law

B.S., United States Military Academy at West Point
J.D., Yale Law School
LL.M., The Judge Advocate General’s School
First joined Regent Law faculty in 2008. Named Professor of the Year multiple times before leaving to serve as Executive Pastor at River Oak Church in Chesapeake, Virginia. River Oak averages over 3,000 people in weekly attendance and was listed by Outreach Magazine as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Churches in America in 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020.
Served 20 years of active duty in the U.S. Army, serving initially as Field Artillery Officer and retiring in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as an attorney in the Judge Advocate General Corps.
Primary areas of expertise include Criminal Law, Constitutional Criminal Procedure, Military Law, and Trial Practice

About Regent Law

Regent Law’s more than 3,300 graduates practice law in 49 states and over 20 countries and include 38 currently sitting judges. The School of Law is currently ranked 22^nd in the nation for obtaining judicial clerkships and ranked 20^th in the nation for Ultimate Bar Passage in 2019. The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in three-year and part-time formats, an online M.A. in Law, an online M.A. in Financial Planning & Law, an on-campus and online LL.M. in Human Rights, and an on-campus and online LL.M. in American Legal Studies.

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University, ranked among top national universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2020), is one of only 23 universities nationally to receive an “A” rating for its comprehensive liberal arts core curriculum.

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Robertson Center for Constitutional Law Celebrates Pro-Life Victory at Supreme Court

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 00:39:00 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (June 24, 022) – Today, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overruled two major abortion cases; Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

The Robertson Center for Constitutional Law collaborated with the Christian Legal Society to file an important friend-of-the-court brief in support of the prevailing party. The Center’s brief argued that the Court should overrule Roe and Casey and allow states to craft abortion policy through the democratic process. The Court agreed.

“This is a generational victory for the pro-life movement and the rule of law,” said Brad Lingo, dean of Regent University School of Law and executive director of the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law. “We were honored to partner with the Christian Legal Society and the Hon. Kenneth Starr on our brief,” said Mike Schietzelt, the Robertson Center’s constitutional law fellow—who co-authored the Center’s brief with Dean Brad Lingo, Judge Kenneth Starr, and Kim Colby of the Christian Legal Society.

The Center’s brief in Dobbs is one of four Supreme Court matters that the Robertson Center has worked on in the past two years. “The Center provides Regent students and faculty with an extraordinary platform to work on important constitutional law matters. We look forward to continuing this important work as we train the next generation of advocates,” said Dean Lingo.

The Robertson Center for Constitutional Law is an academic center within the Regent University School of Law. Established in 2020, the Center pairs advocacy and scholarship to advance first principles in constitutional law, including originalism, separation of powers, and religious liberty. The Robertson Center has represented former members of Congress, Christian ministries, and others in briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court and other appellate courts. Learn more about the work of the Robertson Center at https://constitutionallaw.regent.edu/our-work/.

About Regent University

About Regent Law

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Regent Law Earns ABA Reaffirmation of Accreditation and Appoints New Dean

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:51:00 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (June 7, 2022) — Regent University School of Law has received a reaffirmation of accreditation from the American Bar Association. Regent Law is also welcoming a new dean this month.

“Accreditation from the American Bar Association reflects Regent’s rigorous, high-quality legal education,” said Dr. William L. Hathaway, executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Regent University. “This reaffirmation further validates our commitment to providing the highest-quality academic experience for our law students.”

This announcement comes on the heels of another significant external affirmation for Regent Law. In March—for the first time in school history—U.S. News & World Report recognized Regent University School of Law among its top 147 ranked law schools.

The Regent University Board of Trustees also announced that it has appointed a new dean of the law school. “We are thrilled to welcome Bradley J. Lingo as dean of the Regent University School of Law,” said Dr. M.G. “Pat” Robertson, founder, chancellor & CEO of Regent University. “Under his proven leadership and extraordinary legal expertise, Regent Law will continue to provide the finest legal education to prepare students who are purpose-driven and practice-ready.”

Lingo is a graduate of Harvard Law School and was a partner in King & Spalding’s Trial and Global Disputes practice before joining the Regent Law faculty in 2019. In 2020, he co-founded the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law, where he has worked with students and faculty on several U.S. Supreme Court matters and authored numerous articles. He also served as the law school’s associate dean for academic affairs.

“The opportunities at Regent Law have never been better, and our school has never been stronger,” said Lingo. “There’s never been a more exciting time to be at Regent. I am honored and humbled to serve as dean, and I look forward to building on our incredible momentum.”

“Words cannot adequately express my appreciation and gratitude to the Regent Law community,” said Mark Martin, former dean of Regent Law and former Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. “My three years at Regent have truly been a blessing for me and my family.”

Regent University is grateful to Mark Martin for his years of service. During his tenure, Regent Law welcomed numerous distinguished faculty, increased student enrollment, launched new degree programs, received national awards, and became officially ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

To learn more about Regent Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for ten years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

About Regent Law

Regent Law’s more than 4,465 graduates practice law in all 50 states and over 20 countries and include 38 currently sitting judges. The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in three-year and part-time formats, an online M.A. in Law, an online M.A. in Financial Planning & Law, an on-campus and online LL.M. in Human Rights and LL.M. in American Legal Studies, and an online Bachelor of Arts in Law.

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Master of Arts in Law Graduate Featured in Returning Citizens Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 May 2022 19:33:00 +0000

Master of Arts in Law graduate Amanda Colemon was featured on page 10 of the May 2022 issue of Returning Citizens Magazine, "the official magazine of the justice involved community."

Amanda’s story is one of overcoming huge obstacles, including homelessness, loss of her mother, rearing two small children alone, and finally surviving a stroke at age 29.

Coming back as a self-proclaimed fighter in 2019, Amanda went on to launch “A Chance for Change,” providing recovery services for mental health, substance addiction, and recovery housing. The knowledge she gained from Regent University’s M.A. in Law program assisted Amanda in making a difference for these individuals.

Learn more about A Chance for Change at www.chance4change.org

Faculty Scholarly Update - April 11, 2022

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 13:01:00 +0000

Associate Dean Bradley Jacob presented “The Curse of Voting? Unintended Consequences of the 17th Amendment” on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in San Diego, CA.

Professor Jim Duane will be presenting at the Fed Soc chapter of the Idaho Lawyers “Tearing Down the Walls that Keep American Jurors in the Dark,” on April 20, 2022.

Recent academic work of the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law includes several updates. Associate Dean Brad Lingo and Professor Mike Schietzelt have just posted to SSRN their most recent paper, “What Lord of the Rings Can Teach the Supreme Court About Abortion.” It’s available here. They have also placed their most recent full-length article, “A Second-Class First Amendment Right? Text, Structure, and Free Exercise After Fulton,” in the Wake Forest Law Review. It will be published in September and can be downloaded here.

Additionally, Associate Dean Lingo’s review of Judge Kenneth Starr’s most recent book, “Relieving the Crisis in Religious Liberty: Book Review of Religious Liberty in Crisis, Exercising Your Faith in an Era of Uncertainty,” which was published earlier this year in the Regent University Law Review, remains in SSRN’s “Top Ten” list for the Law & Religion eJournal. It can be downloaded here.

Professor Ben Madison’s author page with the Washington & Lee University School of Law Scholarly Commons had 25 new downloads just in March of 2022 across the 4 papers he has listed there, for a total of 623 downloads on that page alone.

Professor Lynne Marie Kohm’s paper, "THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF RACE AND CLASS IN BIOETHICS," as recently listed on SSRN's Top Ten download list for: NursingRN: Racial Issues (Topic) Top Ten.

Professor Lou Hensler’s latest article, “New York Times v. Sullivan Transformed American Defamation Law From Thumper’s Rule to Incented Obloquy,” which you can download on SSRN, was featured by The ALI Adviser on April 6.

Professor Lynne Marie Kohm’s paper with Ukrainian social scientist Irina Chekhovska, "CHILD POLICY & NATIONAL STRENGTH: RESTORING UKRAINE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD," which you can download at https://ssrn.com/abstract=3167502, was recently listed on SSRN's Top Ten download list for: SIRN: IDA (Families with Children) (Sub-Topic) Top Ten.

Professor Sandra Alcaide’s now has work posted to her SSRN Author page.

Regent Law Ranked Among Best Law Schools for 2023 by U.S. News & World Report

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 20:36:00 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (March 29, 2022) – For the first time in its history, Regent University School of Law has been ranked among best law schools by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings published today, Regent was listed among the top 147 ranked law schools.

“With great enthusiasm, I am honored to announce that Regent Law is officially a ranked law school,” said Mark Martin, Dean of Regent Law and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. “I’ve long known that Regent is an excellent law school—and one that is getting stronger every year. It’s wonderful to see U.S. News recognize what is happening at Regent. Receiving this recognition is an important affirmation of the high-quality, rigorous academics at Regent Law.”

The 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings measured 192 law schools fully accredited by the American Bar Association. U.S. News & World Report based 60% of its rankings on objective measurements, including admissions statistics, employment data, bar passage rate, student debt, and overall resources. The remaining 40% of the ranking was based on the votes of law school administrators, faculty, and alumni.

Regent’s ranking was driven by the quality of its objective metrics. For example, Regent ranks 88^th in the Nation in objective admissions metrics. Other recent rankings and accolades include:

Top 5 in the Nation, Public Policy, preLaw Magazine, 2022
Ranked 7^th in the Nation, Moot Court, 2022 (as of March 28, 2022)
22^nd in the Nation, Judicial Clerkships, 2021
96% employment rate, Class of 2020, NALP
55^th best in the nation, first-time bar passage rate, 2020
Tied 12^th best in the Nation for Teaching Quality, Princeton Review, Best Law Schools, 2022

To learn more about Regent Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for ten years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

About Regent Law

Regent Law’s more than 4,465 graduates practice law in all 50 states and over 20 countries and include 38 currently sitting judges. The School of Law currently ranks in the top 11 percent of all law schools for graduates obtaining judicial clerkships and ranked 20th in the nation for Ultimate Bar Passage in 2019. The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in three-year and part-time formats, an online M.A. in Law, an online M.A. in Financial Planning & Law, an on-campus and online LL.M. in Human Rights and an on-campus and online LL.M. in American Legal Studies.

Regent Law Alumna Jennifer Shupert Appointed as Judge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:58:00 +0000

Regent Law alumna Jennifer B. Shupert ('03)was unanimously selected by Virginia Beach lawmakers for an open judicial seat on the Virginia Beach Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court last week.

Before coming to Regent Law, Shupert earned a degree in family studies and child development from Oklahoma Christian University. She told lawmakers "I believe that helping children and families through the process of family law is very rewarding," and "I have specialized my practice in the area of family law intentionally." (dailypress.com)

Shupert has been practicing family law in the Commonwealth for eighteen years. She will be joining the bench from Shupert Chaing, where she was partnered with another Regent Law alumna, Cynthia Chaing.

Alumni Profile: Shemeka Hankins

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 22:34:00 +0000

Shemeka Hankins chose to pursue an education in law at a young age as the foundation for her aspiration to be president of the United States. Along the way, after earning a juris doctorate at Regent University School of Law, her presidential ambition fell away while her love of the law and helping others thrived.

Hankins began her career as an assistant commonwealth attorney in Norfolk where she cut her teeth in public service, fine-tuning her trial skills and working with law enforcement.

After seven years there, she currently works at Invictus Law in Virginia Beach where she is a senior associate attorney and Director of the firm’s criminal law practice group. She works in state and federal courtrooms and provides leadership to staff, associates and interns.

Hankins also has a passion for mentoring others in the field, volunteering for many statewide legal organizations including Virginia Law-Related Education, which runs the mock trial program for high school students across the state. She recently spoke as the keynote to current Regent students at the 2022 Black Law Student Association Awards Banquet on the theme of “Raising the B.A.R. (Beatitudes, Accountability, and Representation)” in the legal profession.

Her dedication to these endeavors earned her a spot on Inside Business’ Top 40 Under 40 list in 2021. Honorees are considered outstanding young professionals who are successful in their careers and involved in actively improving the Hampton Roads community. She describes her two biggest motivating factors in her work as “leveling the playing field for people in the criminal justice system and paving the way for those who will come behind me.”

In looking back at her decision to attend Regent School of Law, she clearly sees the hand of God. She had planned to study intellectual property law at another school, and though the deal was all but sealed, she kept Regent on her list.

Those plans all changed when she received a phone call from a dean at Regent with whom she had worked at the American Center for Law and Justice. He encouraged her to tour the campus and meet with some of the professors and she obliged.

“From that moment on, I felt the care and the interest that Regent had for its students. I knew that I wouldn’t just be a number,” she recalled. “I was prayerful about the situation. God knew the decisions that I had to make and it was like He removed every obstacle that was in the way and every enticement that other schools had. Then, it was a no-brainer choice. You can definitely say that it was a spiritually-led decision to go to Regent.”

Hankins said that the educational foundation she received at Regent has served her well throughout her career, both as a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer.

“The law school’s motto—'Law is more than a profession. It is a calling.’—has really stayed with me over the years. I think a lot of people could benefit from thinking about law that way instead of it just being a job,” she said. “This is something you are called to do with your mind and your body and your spirit. That's the kind of commitment it requires, especially in the criminal law realm where you’re dealing people’s lives—victims’ lives, defendants’ lives and their families, because each one of these families is affected differently by their role in the case.”

Likewise, she said, the university’s motto—Christian Leadership to Change the World—guides her in her daily practice of law and reinforces her commitment to justice for all.

“If you are saying that we are Christian leaders, that we are presenting what is fair and what is just, we have to ask: Are we looking out for the meek, the poor and those who we know might have disadvantages in society and how are we helping them to navigate the legal system? Because it's not just criminal law,” she said. “It can be evictions or landlord-tenant issues or employers that take advantage of people. There's always a need for people to look out for those who are disadvantaged.”

Written by Joy Vann

Regent Law's Black Law Student Association Kicks off Black History Month

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 12:20:00 +0000

The Black Law Student Association (BLSA) launched the celebration of Black History Month with a professional development networking event centered on the theme: “Raising the B.A.R. (Beatitudes, Accountability, and Representation) in the legal profession. The event was designed in conjunction with Regent University School of Law Career Services to provide students with the opportunity to learn more about professional development and interact with judges and leading professionals in the legal field.

"We are thrilled to be collaborating with BLSA for the second year on a February flagship career program," said Rosey Rivera, Associate Director for Career Services & Alumni Relations. "Working together allows us to better provide our students with networking opportunities with a diverse group of prominent alumni and legal professionals in the community."

The commencement speaker for the event was the Honorable Cleo Powell of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Special guests included: the Honorable Vivian Henderson from the Virginia Beach General District Court, Sean Mitchell - Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Suffolk, Va., Lakishi Stevenson - Chief Public Defender for the city of Chesapeake, Johnita Coston - from the Portsmouth Public Defender’s Office, Ashley-Loren Grant - Assistant City Attorney for Virginia Beach, and Jazmin Mullen-Allen from JMA LAW, PLC.

Regent BLSA's Chair, Damie, Omole, was thrilled with the event. "BLSA has continuously assisted students with engaging with the community and achieving excellence in law school," she said. "I am grateful that we also had the opportunity to organize the Raising the B.A.R event, which allowed students to interact personally with exceptional legal professionals and ultimately help students develop networking skills that can be used beyond the classroom."

The students and special guests were welcomed by Judge Marion R. Warren and Professor Gloria Whittico. Justice Powell delivered the opening speech for the event. She spoke to students on how they can Raise the B.A.R in their everyday lives as students and leaders. She encouraged students to strive for excellence in their work, no matter how small, and to remain humble.

At the conclusion of her remarks, students had the opportunity to practice their networking skills both in person and digitally with local professionals. In a world that is ever evolving towards technology, this challenged students to hone their small talk and learn more about being a lawyer in Hampton Roads. This event allowed the students to interact with the special guests individually and in small groups, which allowed them to ask questions, be more engaged, and learn from the experiences of exceptional leaders in the local area.

About Black Law Students Association

The mission of Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black and minority attorneys who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

About Regent Law

Regent University Unveils New B.A. in Law Program

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 17:52:00 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (February 15, 2022) – Regent University is pleased to announce that it will launch a fully online Bachelor of Arts in Law degree program through the School of Law in Fall 2022.

“Our new law program is an innovative and important addition to our celebrated School of Law offerings,” said Dr. William Hathaway, executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Regent University. “This program is built on excellence and will equip graduates with the foundational understanding of law systems and the legal processes.”

The Bachelor of Arts in Law is ideal for students who wish to pursue a career in a legal setting, such as a parole officer, case manager, court specialist, law clerk, legal mediator, court-appointed special advocate, and more. Regent’s “3+3” program enables qualified B.A. in Law students to move into Juris Doctor studies after three years of undergraduate work—saving J.D. students both time and money.

“Regent Law School’s Bachelor of Arts in Law degree program is the fastest way for new college students to prepare for careers in law-related fields, delivered from a thoroughly Christian worldview. And with Regent’s exciting 3+3 program that combines the senior year of college with the first year of J.D. studies, a student can move from high school to the bar exam in just six years!” said Brad Jacob, J.D., associate dean for Online Programs.

On completing the B.A. in Law, students will be able to:

Communicate knowledgeably and effectively in a legal setting, including technical and administrative skills required for non-attorneys in the legal profession.
Assist in reviewing legal contracts, interviewing clients and witnesses, and formulating and critiquing legal arguments.
Apply biblical, historical, and contemporary legal principles and rules that govern civil, criminal, and family matters.

To learn more about the B.A.in Law at Regent University School of Law, call 877.267.5072 or visit www.regent.edu/program/ba-in-law.

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for ten years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

About Regent Law

Regent Law Recognized by White House for Addressing Housing & Eviction Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 13:48:00 +0000

Regent University School of Law took immediate action to increase housing stability and access to justice in Hampton Roads

On January 28, the White House and the Department of Justice convened with Regent University School of Law and other law schools who responded to the Attorney General’s Call to Action to the Legal Profession to address the housing and eviction crisis.

Regent Law – along with 98 other law schools in 35 states and Puerto Rico – immediately committed to helping prevent evictions. Regent Law expanded its law clinic by launching an Eviction Diversion Initiative and by hiring a full-time housing fellow to help provide free legal aid to the Hampton Roads community. Since August, the Regent Law clinic has already helped more than 600 struggling renters who qualify for free legal assistance. At least 65% of those households have children in them.

“Five months ago, I asked the legal community to answer the call to help Americans facing eviction,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “Law students and lawyers from across the country stepped up to take on cases and assisted their clients and communities at a time when our country needed it the most. Today, our work is far from over, and making real the promise of equal justice under law remains our urgent and unfinished mission.”

Law schools drew on resources, such as pro bono and externship programs, clinical offerings, and the service of the larger law school community to help struggling families avoid eviction through rental assistance application support, volunteering with legal aid providers, helping courts implement eviction diversion programs, among other initiatives aimed at increasing housing stability and access to justice.

“We salute the law school deans, faculty, and students for answering our call, and for using their legal skills to further the cause of access to justice,” said Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. “Their efforts will provide dignity, housing security, and justice to millions of families across our country.”

Officials from The White House, the Department of Justice, and the Treasury Department recognized Regent Law and other law schools who responded to the Attorney General’s Call to Action to the Legal Profession to address the housing and eviction crisis. During the meeting, attendees heard from the following speakers:

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff
Attorney General Merrick Garland
Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General of the United States
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo
Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President, American Rescue Plan Coordinator

“We at Regent Law are honored to help local families facing eviction and distress,” said Mark Martin, dean of Regent Law and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. “I am so proud of our faculty and students for using their talents to benefit others and working to ensure access to justice for these families.”

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About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 10 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

About Regent Law

Regent Law’s more than 4,465 graduates practice law in all 50 states and over 20 countries and include 38 currently sitting judges. The School of Law ranks in the top 11 percent of all law schools for graduates obtaining judicial clerkships and ranked 20^th in the nation for Ultimate Bar Passage in 2019. The school offers the Juris Doctor (J.D.) in three-year and part-time formats, an online M.A. in Law, an online M.A. in Financial Planning & Law, an on-campus and online LL.M. in Human Rights, and an on-campus and online LL.M. in American Legal Studies.

Regent Law Clinic Expands to Help Address Housing and Evictions Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:33:00 +0000

In September 2019, Regent University School of Law opened a law clinic in Norfolk, Virginia to provide pro bono legal aid to the Hampton Roads community. Regent Law is expanding this clinic by hiring a full-time housing fellow to help address the mounting housing and evictions crisis.

“Innumerable families in our region are facing eviction or ongoing housing struggles related to the pandemic,” said Mark Martin, dean of Regent Law and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. “The government is asking the legal community to help address the current evictions crisis, and we are honored to answer the call.”

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently wrote an appeal to members of the legal community, saying, “I write to urge you to join me in helping to address the looming housing and evictions crisis.” He added, “The legal community has an obligation to help those who are most vulnerable. We can do that by doing everything we can to ensure that people have a meaningful opportunity to stay in their homes and that eviction procedures are carried out in a fair and just manner.”

According to a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, over six million American households reported that they are behind on rent, and over three million American households could be facing eviction.

In response to this crisis, the Regent law clinic has added the position of a housing fellow to assist Norfolk residents facing eviction. The housing fellow will be available to assist tenants in applying for rent relief, negotiating with landlords to help tenants avoid having an eviction filed against them and assisting clients in court with defenses to eviction. The clinic will be working with the local legal aid program to offer pro bono services to the low-income community.

The housing fellow position will be filled by Ilinka Robinson who is a 2020 graduate of Regent University School of Law. Robinson is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She worked as a paralegal prior to attending law school and has experience in the areas of special education law, immigration law, and complex business litigation.

Reflecting on the significance of the clinic’s expansion, Dean Martin noted, “I continually challenge our students and alumni to commit themselves to a greater purpose and to excellence. That includes using their gifts to benefit others, and our law clinic is a shining example of this commitment.”

To learn more about the Regent University School of Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

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About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for nine years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

About Regent Law

Regent Law Students Meet with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 16:42:00 +0000

This week, students from Regent University School of Law participated in special events in Washington, D.C., including a personal meeting with U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.

“We’re so grateful for leaders, like Senator Tillis, who are willing to share their experiences and wisdom with Regent Law students,” said Mark Martin, dean of Regent Law. “This meeting was a valuable opportunity for our students to prepare for the practical challenges—and the opportunities—that lie beyond graduation.”

Senator Tillis and other distinguished guests engaged with Regent Law students to discuss the practical challenges posed by public service. Students also had an opportunity to interact with experienced lawyers with various professional backgrounds and specialties.

Senator Tillis was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2006 and was selected by his peers to serve as Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2014. As Speaker, he played an instrumental role in enacting job-creating policies and reforming North Carolina’s tax and regulatory codes. He was elected as U.S. Senator in 2014 and he has focused on pragmatic solutions and delivering results for North Carolina.

To learn more about the Regent University School of Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

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About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for nine years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

About Regent Law

United States Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito Teaches Regent Law Students

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 16:47:00 +0000

Samuel A. Alito Jr., Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, instructed law students at the Regent University School of Law during a special jurisprudence seminar entitled “Select Issues in Constitutional Interpretation.” The seminar took place on January 10-12, 2022.

Alito was nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005 by President George W. Bush and was confirmed to the post by the U.S. Senate in January 2006. He had previously served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, nominated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. He has served as U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey; deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice; assistant to the solicitor general in the U.S. Department of Justice under the Reagan administration; and assistant U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.

Alito holds a Juris Doctor degree from Yale University, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Review. He was a law clerk for Judge Leonard Garth of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

To learn more about the Regent University School of Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

###

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than 11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for nine years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

About Regent Law

Recent Filings of the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:45:00 +0000

The Robertson Center for Constitutional Law had a busy December, with significant activity in three cases:

On December 23, 2021, the Robertson Center filed an amicus petition for certiorari with the United States Supreme Court in Hedican v.Wal-Mart Stores. Edward Hedican, a Seventh-day Adventist, lost his job as an assistant manager at Walmart before his first day of work. The reason: he asked Walmart to let him rest on his Sabbath. This is the legacy of TWA v. Hardison, a 1977 case that weakened Title VII’s protections for religious employees. The brief, filed on behalf of the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, asks the Supreme Court to hear Mr. Hedican’s case, overturn Hardison, and restore Title VII’s promise of a workplace free of religious discrimination. It explains that Hardison’s error has been particularly harmful to Jews seeking to honor the Sabbath and religious minorities who seek working-class jobs.

On December 12, 2021, the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of Fuller Theological Seminary in Maxon v. Fuller Theological Seminary. The Robertson Center filed a brief in support of the prevailing party. The Center’s brief, written on behalf of Campus Crusade for Christ, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, and Young Life, argues that the First Amendment rights of assembly and association protect the Seminary’s freedom to cultivate a religious community around a shared mission. And it explains the importance of assembly and association in protecting our liberty and preserving a pluralistic society.

On December 1, 2021, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. Many view Dobbs as the most significant abortion-related case in a generation. The Robertson Center filed one of the most critical amicus briefs in that case. The brief of the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law and the Christian Legal Society argues for a return to our constitutional tradition of federalism and explains how open-ended conceptions of substantive due process undermine the fundamental principles of federalism and self-government. It also explains how abortion jurisprudence has had far-reaching negative consequences, especially for our judicial institutions. Associate Dean Lingo also appeared on the December 1 episode of the 700 Club where he discussed the case and the Robertson Center’s role in a ten-minute live interview. You can watch the interview here: The 700 Club - December 1, 2021. (The interview begins at the 4:30 mark.)

Regent Law School and Mid-Atlantic Christian University Create Six-Year Program for Students

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 19:45:00 +0000

Officials from Mid-Atlantic Christian University (MACU) and Regent University (RU) signed a memorandum of understanding that creates a cooperative arrangement whereby students may earn in six years of study both a bachelor’s degree from MACU and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from RU’s School of Law.

In this program, students who enroll at MACU may choose one of three majors: Biblical Studies, Business Administration, or Counseling and Psychology. Upon successfully completing 90 credit hours toward the baccalaureate degree, students will be eligible to be considered for admission to Regent’s J.D. program. If admitted to the program, students will complete the first year of law studies at RU and transfer those credits back to MACU, thus finishing and earning a baccalaureate degree. After two additional years of successful course work at RU, students will earn a J.D. degree. This partnership saves a student one year of schooling. Instead of 7 years for a combined baccalaureate and J.D. degree, this agreement allows a student to earn both in 6 years.

Kevin Larsen, vice president for academic affairs at MACU, says, “This is a great opportunity for individuals who want to practice law. Not only do they get a solid educational foundation from MACU but they get a law education from one of the leading law schools in the United States that appreciates and advocates a biblical worldview.”

Mark Martin, dean of the School of Law at Regent, commented, “We welcome opportunities to partner with schools that share our values like Mid-Atlantic Christian University.”

To learn more about this educational opportunity, prospective students may contact the admissions office at MACU.

Mid-Atlantic Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

###

Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Mid-Atlantic Christian University.

Regent University School of Law is approved by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of The American Bar Association, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738.

Mid-Atlantic Christian University, a private, faith based, four-year college is committed to equality of educational opportunity and will not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, age, disability, or prior military service. Federal guidelines (Sections 702-703 of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act) clearly recognize the right of church related institutions to seek personnel who will support the goals of the institution. Being a student or employee at Mid-Atlantic Christian University requires a commitment and lifestyle consistent with the institution’s mission and values.

Shemeka Hankins (LAW '11) Selected as one of this year's Top 40 Under 40 by Inside Business

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 18:13:00 +0000

Congratulations to Shemeka Hankins (LAW '11) for being selected as one of this year’s Top 40 Under 40 by Inside Business! Honorees are considered outstanding young professionals who are successful in their careers and involved in actively improving the Hampton Roads community.

Shemeka, who works as a criminal defense attorney, is passionate about mentoring others in her profession. Shemeka is the criminal law practice group director at Invictus Law. She specializes in drug charges and DUIs, working in both state and federal courts. From Norfolk, Shemeka enjoys the warm, welcoming, "small" big city community that thrives in the Hampton Roads region.

Perhaps some of Shemeka's success is attributable to her belief in the necessity of balance. She likes the saying "You can't pour from an empty cup." If you keep giving of yourself without refilling your own personal needs, you will end up coming up empty.

Her advice to upcoming young professionals:

"Step out on faith — faith in your abilities, faith in your support network, faith that the confidence you put out there will be returned in a positive manner. And never be afraid to start over or pivot in a different direction."

Regent Law Hosts 21st Annual Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 15:04:00 +0000

The Regent University School of Law recently hosted the 21st Annual Leroy R. Hassell Sr. National Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition in a virtual format October 14-16, 2021. Thirty-eight teams from 25 law schools competed, with Stetson University College of Law taking home first place.

“This competition brings together some of the best and brightest law students in the nation and provides them with the opportunity to hone their advocacy skills and learn from one another,” said Mark Martin, dean of the Regent University School of Law. “We are honored to host this event and especially proud of the exceptional work of our Moot Court Board and faculty advisors.”

This year, competitors analyzed and argued thorny constitutional criminal procedure issues under the Fifth Amendment. South Texas College of Law received the Best Brief award, and William & Mary Law School was recognized as Best Oralist.

The Honorable Albert (“Al”) Diaz, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, was the final panel’s presiding judge. Southwestern Law School came in second, behind Stetson. Both teams displayed a mastery of both oral advocacy and legal knowledge, earning high praises from a distinguished panel of judges that included:

Judge David Sentelle, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Judge Kenneth Starr, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (retired)
Judge Kyle Duncan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Judge William Webb, Magistrate, U.S. District Court for the E.D.N.C. (retired)
Chief Justice Jeff Bivins, Supreme Court of Tennessee
Justice Cleo Powell, Supreme Court of Virginia
Judge April Wood, Court of Appeals of North Carolina
Justice Elizabeth Lang-Miers, Court of Appeals of Texas (retired)

Dozens of workers helped plan the competition, including the Moot Court Board, associates, and staff members, as well as professors and outside advisors. Regent Law students Austin Coad, Hassell director; Diamond Royster, Moot Court chairwoman; and Rich Osborne, Moot Court vice-chair served as key organizers. Faculty advisor Michael Hernandez and Professor James Wheeler also provided integral assistance.

“This competition gives schools all over the country an opportunity to argue and brief relevant constitutional issues. It provides law students with valuable experience in that arena,” explained Coad. “It is a privilege to organize this competition—even with all the technological intricacies of a virtual event.”

This annual competition is named in honor of the late former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Chief Justice Hassell dedicated his life to the fight for justice for citizens of the Commonwealth. During his distinguished career, the former Chief Justice championed constitutional rights. He was a leader in equality, becoming the first African American Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Hassell was a close friend of Regent University School of Law. He served as a member of the Regent University School of Law Board of Visitors and was a Distinguished Jurist-in-Residence. A model of professionalism and excellence, the Chief Justice regularly urged Regent students to work hard, to do justice, and have faith to achieve their dreams. He was a true inspiration to students and faculty alike.

To learn more about Regent Law, visit https://www.regent.edu/school-of-law/.

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Regent University Ranked #1 Best Online Christian College in America

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 20:54:00 +0000

Regent University has been named the #1 Best Online Christian College in America, according to a

new report by BibleCollegeOnline.com. The report measured academics, affordability, and return on

investment among 100 Christian colleges in the United States.“We are honored and thankful for this

incredible recognition as the top online Christian college in the nation,” said Dr. Bill Hathaway,

executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Regent University. “As the preeminent destination for

Christian college students, Regent is deeply dedicated to providing world-class, Christ-centered

education that equips Christian leaders to change the world.”

In addition to this accolade, Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College

in the United States (Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021),

and the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for nine years in a row

(U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

Regent University students enjoy:

More than 150 areas of study including business, communication, counseling, cybersecurity,
divinity, education, government, law, leadership, music, nursing, healthcare, and psychology
Affordable tuition and generous financial aid. Regent’s annual tuition is nearly $20,000 less than
that of other private institutions (U.S. News & World Report, 2020).
Flexible 8-week and 15-week courses offered online and on-campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Expert faculty who genuinely care for and pray for each student
One-on-one coaching, counseling, tutoring, and mentorship opportunities

“Many prospective students strive to pursue their higher education within a faith-based community that

can provide the spiritual support they desire,” said a spokesperson from BibleCollegeOnline.com.

“Regent University boasts affordable tuition rates and reputable academic programs, with both

traditional and online degrees available for those who prefer distance learning.”

According to BibleCollegeOnline.com, the study analyzed data from the U.S. Department of

Education and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to rank the top 100 Christian colleges in America

based on return on tuition investment, quality of academics, and affordability to help students

determine which online Christian college is the best fit for their academic goals.

To learn more about Regent University, visit www.regent.edu.

About Regent University

Founded in 1978, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university with more than

11,000 students studying on its 70-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online around the

world. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than

150 areas of study including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity,

divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology.

Regent University is ranked the #1 Best Accredited Online College in the United States

(Study.com, 2020), the #1 Safest College Campus in Virginia (YourLocalSecurity, 2021), and

the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for nine years in a row

(U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

Regent University Law Reclaims Championship at the Stetson National Pretrial Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 14:40:00 +0000

Regent University School of Law’s Trial Advocacy Board has reclaimed the title of National Champions in the 2021 Stetson National Pretrial Competition. This is Regent Law’s fourth victory in this competition, following 2009, 2018 and 2019 wins. In the final round, the team triumphed over Baylor Law School, ranked #2 law school in the nation for Trial Advocacy, according to U.S. News & World Report.

“I am most impressed by the tireless efforts of the members of this team from preparation to the final round of the competition,” said Mark Martin, dean of Regent University School of Law. “They are most deserving to be called national champions, and the Regent Law community is honored by their efforts.”

The competition, hosted by Stetson University in Gulfport, Florida, took place virtually from September 30 through October 3. Regent’s team consisted of Steven Thomas (Chair), Morgan Ewing (Vice-Chair), Kimberly Sloan Minor, and Jasmine White and was coached by Marcus and Arielle Mitchell. Marcus was on the winning team in 2018 and 2019, including winning the award for Best Oral Advocate in 2018. Arielle competed and won as a student in 2018 and won a Best Brief award. She coached the Fall 2019 winning team with adjunct professor Drew Page. Ewing competed in this event in 2020, and Thomas had gained experience in a separate Trial Advocacy Board competition last year.

Among the 20 teams competing were: University of Virginia Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, University of Miami School of Law, Michigan State University College of Law, UC Davis School of Law, Liberty University, and others.

Regent faced Georgetown, Charleston, and Brooklyn in the preliminary rounds, winning each of those rounds and advancing as the #2 seed out of the eight teams that moved on. Next, Regent won against Louisiana State University Law Center in the quarterfinals, then prevailed against what Marcus Mitchell described as “an incredibly tough” Houston team in the semi-finals. Following those victories, Regent took the championship against Baylor in the final round.

Regent Law Professor Mike Hernandez, who guides the law school moot court program, remarked, “The total team effort expended toward this win is noteworthy. This is an excellent achievement and a sustained record of success at this prominent competition.”

“Our advocates pulled out the best performance that Arielle and I had seen the entire tournament,” said Marcus. “When the director announced that we won, we were humbled and thrilled. Once the Zoom camera was turned off, we prayed and thanked God for His strength and then celebrated together.”

Mitchell explained that Regent’s team spent hundreds of hours preparing briefs for submission, then rigorously practicing honing their arguments for more than one month. The team received a problem based on typical pretrial issues and had to argue both sides. They wrote two memoranda of law, presented evidence of two witnesses, and then made an argument based on the evidence and memoranda.

“Our Trial Advocacy Board, Moot Court Board, and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board all train its students very well to compete in competitions and in real life,” said Marcus. “Regent should be on the map for any student that wants to compete in advocacy competitions against the top law schools in the nation.”

The Trial Advocacy Board’s foundational mission is to train law students in the art of trial advocacy and procedural litigation skills. Anyone interested in learning more can reach out to the board at www.facebook.com/RegentTrialAdvocacy.”

To learn more about the School of Law, visit www.regent.edu/law.

Regent Law Alumnus Wynter Benda Named Lynchburg City Manager

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:49:00 +0000

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (JUNE 15, 2021) – Wynter Benda, Law ’02, loves people, well-oiled systems and opportunities to effect positive change. He is about to see all three of these passions fuse in exciting new ways as he takes a giant leap within the arena of public service. After serving as Chief Deputy City Manager, among other roles within the City of Norfolk for more than a decade, Benda assumed his new position as Lynchburg City Manager in August.

He was voted in unanimously by the City Council.

“It is an honor and privilege to take the helm of this organization and be part of a place so vibrant and full of potential,” said Benda. “Lynchburg is one of fastest growing cities in Virginia, and I see a tremendous opportunity to build on that momentum.”

Within his first hundred days as City Manager, Benda’s priorities will include “a lot of listening to the [City] Council and our residents and formulating first steps toward encouraging growth in the seven colleges and universities that comprise Lynchburg.”

He also hopes to leverage his extensive experience in city planning, intergovernmental relations, public utilities, public works, transit, real estate, resilience, and communications within various city departments.

A graduate of Regent University’s School of Law, Benda fondly reflects on his time in the law school and especially the privilege of serving as president of the second- and third-year law classes. “I got to fully enjoy both the academic and personal pieces of going to law school. It’s always more meaningful to work together than alone, and Regent certainly delivered an impactful experience,” he said.

“Wynter’s commitment to the infrastructure of our cities is a tremendous community asset,” said Regent Law Dean Mark Martin. “He is an excellent example of how our students graduate from Regent Law prepared to impact the communities they serve with innovative thinking and responsible administration.”

Benda was a finalist in the 2001 Regent University School of Law Negotiations Competition and competed in the 2001 ABA Regional Negotiations Tournament at Georgetown Law Center. As he completed his juris doctor, he secured a prestigious judicial clerkship with the 7th Judicial Circuit of Newport News, VA. Following his clerkship, he held the position of In-House Council for the Chesapeake Treasurer’s Office, then served as Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Hampton before returning to the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area.

Benda was born in Norfolk, raised in Virginia Beach and is a die-hard fan of the Commonwealth of Virginia and its great people.

_{Photo: Kendall Warner, The News Advance}

Regent University Law School Named NDAA Regional Advocacy Training Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:42:00 +0000

Regent University School of Law is pleased to announce its designation as a Regional Advocacy Training Center for the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). Prosecutors throughout the region will now have access to Regent Law’s premier facilities and resources through customized NDAA training courses in Virginia Beach, VA. This prestigious designation was unveiled to Regent Law Dean Mark Martin by the NDAA Board of Directors during the association’s Summer Summit, which took place July 18-20, 2021, in Virginia Beach.

“The Regent University School of Law is honored to partner with the National District Attorneys Association in providing exceptional on-site training to our prosecutors,” said Regent Law Dean Mark Martin. “Just as this respected association is committed to protecting the rights and safety of the people to ensure justice is attained, our astute Regent Law faculty, students, and alumni are also dedicated to providing knowledge, skills, and support to the legal profession to promote the fair and impartial administration of justice.”

During the summit, Martin had the honor and privilege of swearing in the incoming NDAA president, the Honorable Billy West, who has served as District Attorney for Cumberland County, NC since 2011.

“I had the privilege of knowing the remarkable work and reputation of Chief Mark Martin as he served as Supreme Court Chief Justice of North Carolina. Now, to partner with him and the Regent University School of Law is a tremendous privilege,” said West. “I look forward to a bright future and innovative training opportunities.”

Founded in 1950, the NDAA is a national, non-partisan non-profit membership association that provides training, technical assistance, and services to prosecutors around the country in support of the prosecution profession. It is the oldest and largest association of prosecutors in the country with over 5,000 members. The summit draws hundreds of professionals within the legal field seeking educational, information-sharing, and networking tools so that they are plugged into innovative ideas and practical strategies to address seeking justice while serving communities.

To learn about the NDAA, visit ndaa.org. To explore Regent University School of Law and its outstanding faculty and degree programs, visit regent.edu/law.

Robertson Center Files U.S. Supreme Court Brief Advocating for the Unborn

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:39:00 +0000

On July 28, 2021, the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law and the Christian Legal Society filed an amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This is the fourth brief — and second U.S. Supreme Court brief — filed by the Robertson Center since Regent University launched the center last summer.

Many court watchers view Dobbs as the most significant abortion case that the Supreme Court has taken in decades. In Dobbs, the court will consider the constitutionality of a Mississippi law prohibiting most abortions after 15 weeks.

“Dobbs is the most significant abortion-related case in a generation,” said Professor Brad Lingo, executive director of the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law. “We’re grateful that the Robertson Center could play such a meaningful role and do it with a partner like the Christian Legal Society. We’re asking the Supreme Court to restore our constitutional traditions and return to the people the role of determining abortion-related policy.”

The work provided an opportunity for Regent Law students to get firsthand experience working on a Supreme Court brief. “It was an incredible learning experience to observe leading Christian constitutional lawyers strategize and craft a Supreme Court brief,” stated Gabrielle Bruno, a rising second-year student at Regent Law who serves as an intern at the Robertson Center for Constitutional Law. “My experience with the center deepened my understanding of appellate advocacy and sparked a passion to get more involved in this work.”

The Robertson Center for Constitutional Law is an academic center within the Regent University School of Law. Established in 2020, the center pairs advocacy and scholarship to advance first principles in constitutional law, including originalism, separation of powers, and religious liberty. The Robertson Center has represented former members of Congress, Christian ministries, and others in briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court and circuit courts of appeals. Learn more about the work of the Robertson Center at https://constitutionallaw.regent.edu/our-work/.

Regent Law Dean Mark Martin Speaks on Access to Justice and Digital Courts

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:36:00 +0000

Regent University School of Law Dean Mark Martin, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, recently served as a Thomson Reuters expert panelist, addressing the timely topic of Digital Courts: Access to Justice in Today’s World. Martin was joined by the Honorable Mary McQueen, president of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). This webinar, which is part of the Government Influencer Series, was moderated by Gina Jurva, Thomson Reuters attorney/manager of Market Insights & Thought Leadership.

“COVID-19 has affected every area of our lives, and the court system was no exception,” Martin explained. “Judges, court staff, and attorneys had to adapt quickly to court closures and new health mandates while still providing litigants access to justice, and they did it extremely well.”

The webinar centered on these three topics:

Benefits and challenges presented by online proceedings.
The current case backlog as a process issue and a public health issue.
Envisioning and managing the courtroom of the future

Martin and McQueen concurred that any previous question as to whether “the courts” are a service or a place has been answered through the pandemic. “Courts didn’t close even though courthouses did,” McQueen said, paraphrasing insights from Chief Judge of New York Janet DiFiore. In a survey of 238 judges, administrators, court staff, and attorneys throughout state and local courts, 93% reported that they were involved in remote proceedings throughout 2020, and 89% are still involved in virtual hearings.

Thanks to the work of the NCSC rapid response team and collective state and local commitment to justice, the courts rapidly pivoted to issues of safety, emergency priorities, and access to justice in these specific ways:

Restricting or ending jury trials.
Generally suspending in-person proceedings.
Securing a system to present online arguments.
Providing paperless and paper-on-demand systems.
Restricting entry into courthouses.
Safely rotating staff throughout the court.
Granting extensions for court deadlines.
Encouraging or requiring teleconferences and videoconferences in lieu of hearings.

These efforts reduced failure to appear by over 80%, reduced the number of continuances, and increased transparency, McQueen said. New protocols also expanded access to litigants through language translation features embedded into the virtual platforms. Other benefits across all age groups included direct access to clerk offices for forms, more efficiency of time, reduced mobility and travel concerns, and case-flow management improvements.

Martin said he believes virtual proceedings are likely here to stay because of benefits related to economics, scalability, and public safety. He is specifically encouraged that these “forced innovations” are lessening the burden on witnesses and litigants, especially those with disabilities, childcare concerns, or safety concerns related to domestic violence cases.

“On any given day about 1% of the U.S. public is accessing a county courthouse,” Martin said. “We want people to appreciate the seriousness and solemnity of court proceedings but to experience a less intimidating, more accessible environment whenever possible and appropriate. We have to strike that balance.”

Martin and McQueen shared that challenges yet to be addressed to optimize the new court system include developing a unified platform among all states, ensuring a more sophisticated and secure system for document management, considering the addition of a “technology bailiff” to help streamline the online process, and coordinating a technology hardware loaner program with local libraries and community colleges. The panelists also indicated that broadband access is still a nationwide challenge.

“A chief obstacle has been a digital divide, and we’ve also had an access divide,” Martin said. “We continually ask ourselves, ‘How do we create a level playing field—or at least a playing field where everybody can participate in a similar way?’” He encourages court systems to collaborate with the executive branch and even the legislative branch in their respective jurisdiction to secure funding for infrastructure upgrades.

Martin continued by highlighting three aspects necessary to confirm that a virtual process is appropriate for the proceeding.

Can we ensure that legal and constitutional rights are protected?
Can effective lawyering in the tradition of our adversarial process be maintained?
Can ethical best practices and security protocols be observed?

In relationship to court backlog, NCSC has instituted the Civil Justice Initiative. The center is also analyzing potential surges of cases and working toward a hybrid approach to handle trials more speedily through expansion of multiple hearing options and quasi-judicial officers.

Martin believes that virtual proceedings could become a “highly effective tool to help alleviate many court backlogs.” He adds, “We have an amazing opportunity. We weren’t necessarily looking to confront these issues, but here we are. COVID required it, and we’re getting better and better at virtual proceedings. Now we have this highly effective tool, digital courts, so let’s continue to optimize these platforms.”

Learn about the Regent University School of Law at regent.edu/law.

United States Senator Thom Tillis to Address Section 230 Symposium at Regent Law

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:24:00 +0000

On October 1-2, 2021, the Regent University School of Law hosted its 3rd Annual Legal Learning Festival, Law Alumni Weekend, and Law Review Symposium on Section 230. Events included continuing education programming for attorneys and dialogue on an important policy question facing America – Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

“We are excited to present a group of diverse and influential speakers for our 3rd annual legal learning festival, law alumni weekend, and Section 230 Symposium,” said Mark Martin, dean of Regent Law. “This event will provide innovative thought leadership to the Regent Law community and contribute to the discourse on important issues facing our country.”

Attendees heard from U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, Former U.S. Solicitor General Ken Starr, Former Attorney General of Virginia Ken Cuccinelli, President, and CEO of Alliance Defending Freedom Michael Farris, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice Jay Sekulow, and many other prominent speakers, including:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021

Benjamin V. Madison III

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2021

Enrique Armijo

Hon. Ken Cuccinelli

Michael Farris

Claire Guthrie Gastañaga

United States Senator Thom Tillis

Hon. Beth A. Williams

To learn more about Regent Law’s Legal Learning Festival & Law Alumni Weekend, and to view the full schedule of events, visit https://www.regent.edu/school-of-law/about-regent-law/law-alumni-weekend/.