CENTER FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW regent.edu/globaljustice
Law is more than a profession. It’s a calling.
The first four interns of the Center for Global Justice. From left to right: Ernie Walton, Center for Global Justice administrative director; Ashleigh Chapman; Kara Cooper; and Joanna Cannone.
“God is raising up a generation of men and women who will combat human trafficking, child abuse and religious persecution in a large-scale, meaningful way. I am excited by the vital role Regent Law will play in equipping these men and women for their work.� Jeffrey Brauch, Dean of Regent University School of Law
Executive Summary Regent University School of Law, founded in 1986 and fully accredited by the American Bar Association, is a private Christian institution in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a global reach and impact. Today more than ever, it is shining a bright light in the world’s darkest places by responding to God’s call to seek justice for the oppressed. The most basic human rights of millions are threatened in many countries around the world. The numbers are staggering and growing at an alarming rate. Regent Law is uniquely positioned to answer this call through its Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law. Founded in 2010, the center is Regent Law’s response to the growing number of students who believe that God has called them to pursue a legal career as an advocate for justice. The center’s mission is twofold: to equip Christian advocates who will promote the rule of law and seek justice for the world’s downtrodden—and
to serve and support those already engaged in such advocacy. As a top Christian law school in the United States, Regent Law enjoys existing international relationships and a reputation for rigorous academic preparation that provide the foundation for the center’s success. The center is an extension of the mission of Regent Law in response to God’s mandate to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Our programs include offering a wide variety of classroom and experiential courses; funded international and domestic internships, where students work on combatting human trafficking, advancing the rule of law, securing religious freedom abroad, and protecting children; the student staff, where select students work throughout the school year on legal projects, many of which are done on behalf of other legal organizations; and special events, including conferences, summits, symposia, and CLE programs.
Regent Law In Brief Since 1986, Regent University School of Law has fulfilled its mission to provide excellent legal education from a Christian perspective, to nurture and encourage students toward spiritual maturity, and to engage the world through Christian legal thought and practice. Based on the Biblical pillars of justice and grace, Regent Law is uniquely equipped among U.S. Christian law schools to pursue justice with an eye toward serving God’s purposes in the world. • Regent Law’s faculty comprises Christian legal scholars educated at Harvard, Yale, the University of Chicago and other prominent institutions of higher learning. Recognized by The Princeton Review as among the Top 10 faculty in the nation, Regent’s faculty employ superior teaching methods and instill a culture that values discipline and excellence. • Against the backdrop of the school’s growing reputation, Regent Law’s 3,000+ alumni are distinguishing themselves within top-tier law firms, government agencies, public interest organizations and even as a governor.
“Social responsibility becomes an aspect not of Christian mission only, but also of Christian conversion. It is impossible to be truly converted to God without being thereby converted to our neighbor.” John R. W. Stott
• Students enjoy study abroad opportunities in France, Uganda, England, South Korea and Spain. • Regent Law’s award-winning legal-skills programs emphasize writing, negotiation, trial and appellate advocacy skills, and produce law students who regularly win championships at regional and national competitions. The school has won over 60 championships and awards, including finishing among the top two teams in the world at the University of Oxford Moot Court Competition. * Visit regent.edu/lawadmissions for our most recent bar passage rates and other statistics.
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U.K. France United States of America
Ukraine
Russia
Middle East Egypt
Mexico
South Sudan Ghana
Japan South Korea
Greece Nepal India Cambodia
Uganda Rwanda Malawi
Interns have been placed in dozens of organizations worldwide.
Regent Law’s Global Reach and Impact Regent Law’s momentum in the international community continues to grow as well. Nearly 70 percent of Regent faculty members are involved in training leaders around the world. Over 25 percent of our student body takes coursework related to international law and human rights or participates in study-abroad programs. Regent’s international relationships have opened doors for dozens of student interns to enjoy funded internships worldwide. Whether supporting Mexico’s anti-trafficking initiatives, advancing the rule of law in war-torn African nations, protecting religious freedom in Europe and the Middle East, or reforming the laws that affect our foster care system, the center’s reach and impact are already global and still growing.
CENTER FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW
Biblical Imperative for Human Rights The most compelling reason for Christian lawyers to dedicate themselves to ending human rights abuses is the call of God. Regent Law trains and equips advocates for justice in accord with the full mandate of Scripture.
“ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)
“ Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)
“ For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV)
“Ministries that meet the needs of alienation and deprivation do not meet the needs of those suffering from oppression. These neighbors require a ministry of justice.” Gary Haugen, President and CEO, International Justice Mission
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“ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress ….” James 1:27 (NIV)
An Urgent Need
A New Generation Responding to the Need
Tremendous human rights abuses confront our world today. The numbers of the oppressed, enslaved, abused and trafficked are staggering—and no nation is immune:
Gross injustice is stirring emerging Christian leaders to take more seriously their role in carrying out God’s mandate for justice. They are stepping forward to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Many feel a distinct calling to protect the rights of the oppressed. They seek to respond to pressing physical, and spiritual, needs. At Regent Law, many incoming students indicate they are pursuing a legal education to prepare themselves for some form of public interest work. Indeed, the center continues to attract young men and women from across the country and around the globe who see the law as a calling to fulfill God’s mandate to “seek justice, correct oppression” (Isaiah 1:17 ESV).
Right now, almost 30 million human beings around the world are held as slaves—more than at any other time in history. During the last quarter-century in Uganda, corruption and lack of the rule of law enabled the abduction of over 30,000 children who were forced to become child soldiers. Throughout the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Asia, millions of Christians are persecuted for their faith. Over 100 million children live alone, without parental care, on major urban thoroughfares and dark byways. After two civil wars resulting in the deaths of millions, South Sudan faces the daunting challenge of changing from sharia to common law and instituting the rule of law to protect the rights of all. Human trafficking in the 21st century is the largest slave trade in history.
“ In developing nations, millions suffer in inhuman conditions. They need someone to stand behind them. Missionaries are great advocates, but they need the expertise of someone trained in the law who can apply political pressure.” Randy Singer, Author, Lawyer and Regent Law Professor
CENTER FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW
People and Programs From supporting the legal protection of children and advancing the rule of law, to safeguarding religious freedoms internationally and fighting human trafficking, the Center for Global Justice confronts alarming human rights abuses at home and abroad.
Academic Preparation
Student Staff
The center’s current and projected course offerings include:
To provide Regent law students practical experience in the legal protection of human rights, students volunteer with the center each semester to plan events and work on legal projects, such as writing reports, drafting amicus briefs, and conducting research projects. The projects involve the center’s four focus areas—the rule of law, human trafficking, the protection of children, and international religious freedom—and are often done in conjunction with other legal organizations.
• Bioethics • Child Advocacy Practicum • Comparative Children’s Rights • Comparative Law • Immigration Law
Special Events To further the center’s goals of equipping advocates for justice and serving those working in support of human rights, the center sponsors special events, including conferences, CLE programs, and symposia.
• International Human Rights
Past events include the North Korean Human Rights Summit, a two-day event comprising the screening of a film portraying the desperate circumstances of North Korean refugees and the presentation of a three-member panel that included a former North Korean refugee; CLE training in humanitarian visas for law enforcement and attorneys; a film screening and follow-up roundtable discussion of a documentary exploring the causes of trafficking in various countries; a mini-symposium exploring state law regarding the sexual exploitation of minors; and the center’s annual symposium fostering an academic and legal discussion of various human rights issues.
• International Law
Give
• International Religious Freedom
The Center of Global Justice needs financial resources to fund internships, increase course offerings and support outreach initiatives. Visit regent.edu/ globaljustice to make your donation online or request more information.
• Immigration Practicum • International Criminal Law • International Development and the Rule of Law
• National Security Law • Nonprofit Organization and Management • Nonprofit Tax Exempt Organizations • Trafficking in Persons
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Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft teaches at Regent University School of Law as part of a distinguished faculty including American Center for Law and Justice chief counsel, Dr. Jay Sekulow, and awardwinning author, pastor, and attorney-inresidence Randy Singer.
Internship Program Our internship grant program provides students funded internships with legal organizations around the globe where they work on combatting human trafficking, advancing the rule of law, protecting children, securing religious freedom and related human rights issues. Over 60 interns have served in countries including Mexico, India, France, Russia, South Korea, in the Middle East and Africa, and throughout the United States. Abigail Skeans Children’s Justice Initiative (Sixty Feet) – Uganda & Malawi Abby interned with Sixty Feet, a Christian NGO that exists to bring hope and restoration to the imprisoned children of Uganda. According to some estimates, nearly 85 percent of the imprisoned children in Uganda should never have been exposed to the juvenile penal system, while the other 15 percent remain in prison much longer than necessary because they have no voice to advocate on their behalf. Through her internship, Abby designed and implemented a legal literacy clinic for juveniles and worked with government officials to develop plea bargaining procedures to provide juveniles more timely access to justice. Thanks to Abby’s work, Uganda is changing its laws and wrongfully imprisoned children are receiving justice. “I believe that God is writing a powerful story of His redemptive justice for the children of East Africa. I am deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this story in Uganda and surrounding nations, and I am eager to be a part of the next chapter.” Kyle Carter Freedom Firm – Pune, India Kyle’s internship was centered in Pune, India with Freedom Firm, an anti-trafficking NGO led by Regent Law alumnus Evan Henck (’07) that seeks to eradicate child sex trafficking. Kyle assisted Freedom Firm with researching and writing two briefs, which focused on imploring India’s High Court to “issue directives holding the appropriate authorities accountable to the law and to remedy their actions in perpetuating inadequate protection of the victim minor girls.” He also conducted several research projects and argued before the public prosecutor. “The expertise and professional knowledge I gained exceeded my expectation, and, combined with my legal studies, has prepared me for my career as an advocate in human rights.” Emily Arthur El Pozo de Vida – Mexico City, Mexico Emily interned with El Pozo de Vida (Well of Life), a NGO that seeks to combat human trafficking in Mexico City through awareness, advocacy and action. Among other projects, Emily, in conjunction with Mexico’s National Institute of Migration, drafted a report that will allow El Pozo de Vida (EPDV) to attend immigration detention centers to meet—and hopefully identify—human trafficking victims to whom EPDV can offer care and legal services. Emily used her bilingual abilities to translate various documents between Spanish and English, and also acted as a coach/ caretaker for the victims a few nights each week. She gained valuable legal experience and “confirmed the calling God placed on her heart to work with human trafficking victims.”
Elizabeth Miller European Centre for Law & Justice – Strasbourg, France Elizabeth Miller interned with the European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ), a Christian, international NGO dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights, primarily religious freedom, in Europe and around the world. During her internship, Elizabeth performed legal research for cases involving abortion, the rights of parents in education, same-sex marriage, and freedom of speech. She also used her fluency in French to draft and translate press releases, political proposals, legal documents and position pieces from the ECLJ director and contributing attorneys. “I have benefitted tremendously from the opportunity to work with the ECLJ, not only through the diversity of the various nations they serve, but also from their fidelity to the search for truth and goodness.” Benjamin Goodrich Orphan Secure – Los Angeles, CA Ben interned with Orphan Secure (OS), a NGO that specializes in security and vulnerability assessments of orphanages and the education of foreign law enforcement in the investigation of offenses surrounding the sexual trafficking and exploitation of children. As OS’s first legal intern, Ben researched the laws of various countries relating to international criminal procedure, international and domestic trafficking and organized crime, and international privacy. He provided OS with written memoranda of his research as well as drafted a privacy policy for a new cell phone application designed by OS and an independent contractor services agreement template. “I feel truly blessed to have had this experience and I know the people I met and the connections I made will continue to impact both my personal and professional development.” Danielle Gallaher National District Attorneys Association – Washington, D.C. Danielle interned with the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA) at the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), which provides training, technical assistance, publications and resources for prosecutors and allied professionals working to combat human trafficking. She worked on various projects, one in partnership with Shared Hope International that involved analyzing new legislation related to human trafficking, as well as updating publications used in Shared Hope’s Protected Innocence Challenge. “I now feel prepared to work at a prosecutor’s office as someone who can advise others [on the issue of human trafficking].”
CENTER FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE RULE OF LAW
Leadership Jeffrey Brauch Dean and Professor, Regent University School of Law J.D. with honors, University of Chicago Law School Craig A. Stern Executive Director and Professor J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
S. Ernie Walton Administrative Director J.D., summa cum laude, Regent University School of Law Jedidiah Rieke Project Manager B.S., Liberty University
“ The greatest need we have at Freedom Firm right now is staffing. We simply need more experienced workers to carry out all the dreams we have to support bulletproof anti-trafficking litigation, courageous enforcement of the law and holistic care to the girls we rescue.� Evan Henck, 2008 Regent Law alumnus and member of the Freedom Firm in India
regent.edu/globaljustice
Contact Us Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law Regent University School of Law – RH 247 1000 Regent University Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23464 757.352.4315 - 757.352.4660 globaljustice@regent.edu regent.edu/globaljustice
The School of Law is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Regent University is certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to operate campuses within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Regent University admits students without discrimination on the basis of race, color, disability, gender, religion or national or ethnic origin. Regent University is accredited by the The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate 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 Regent University. LAW131328