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Dean’s Message There was a time when lawyers were known as counselors-at-law. They were trained not just for a job, but also for a higher service. At Regent University School of Law that time still exists. To send out more lawyers today is not enough. Our society needs men and women who are called to something higher, something greater. Regent Law exists to equip men and women like you who choose to respond to that call. We desire to train counselors-at-law who will serve as trusted advisors and community leaders. Part of that training is to equip you with the skills you need to be an excellent attorney. Our Center for Advocacy provides superb training in the legal skills of negotiation, trial advocacy and appellate advocacy. Our competition teams are among the best in the nation, and our recent graduates pass the bar and find employment with considerable success. But training in legal skills alone is not enough. What makes us different from most law schools approved by the ABA is that we thoroughly integrate a Christian perspective into the classroom. We are committed to the proposition that there are truths—eternal principles of justice—informing the way we should practice law and about the law itself. As you consider a calling to law, I encourage you to consider a legal education that recognizes the critical role the Christian faith should play in our legal system and your professional life. I trust that in so doing, you will be drawn to Regent for your legal studies.
“We’re not just creating more lawyers;we’re creating a different kind of lawyer.” Jeffrey A. Brauch, Dean Regent University School of Law
Jeffrey A. Brauch Dean and Professor of Law
Regent Law In Brief We are a nondenominational academic institution that welcomes students of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds who wish to study law from a Christian perspective.
We couple academic excellence with an emphasis on spiritual integrity, educating a different kind of lawyer uniquely prepared to practice law.
Regent Law was fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 1996, allowing students to sit for the bar examination in any jurisdiction in the nation. Our award-winning legal-skills programs emphasize writing, negotiation, trial, and appellate advocacy skills, and develop law students who regularly earn top honors at regional and national competitions. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and ACLJ Chief Counsel Dr. Jay Sekulow, distinguished professor, are integral to the campus community.
Students enjoy study abroad opportunities in France, Israel, England, South Korea, Spain and China. Recognized by The Princeton Review as a top-ten law school for “Best Quality of Life,” Regent Law offers students the opportunity to learn in a caring and nurturing environment. Recent graduating classes have found employment within 9 months of graduation at or above the National Association for Law Placement national average. As many as 11 percent of recent graduates have secured prestigious judicial clerkships. Our alumni—servant leaders practicing in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and several foreign countries—include public servants such as Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell ’89.
Clinical, public interest and third-year practice programs allow students to work on actual cases and gain valuable hands-on With a financial aid program of nearly $3 million, more than 70 percent of our experience while still in law school. students receive financial aid in the form of law school scholarships and grants.
Academics
Joint Degree Program Options • MBA (Master of Business Administration)
In a close-knit community of scholars, our students receive rigorous legal training plus the added benefit of a Christian perspective through which to view the law. Juris Doctor (J.D.)
LL.M. in American Legal Studies
Regent Law students must complete a total of 90 credit hours for the Juris Doctor degree. All courses taken during full-time students’ first year and part-time students’ first two years are required courses.
The LL.M. degree is designed for graduates of accredited institutions outside the U.S. who have already earned a J.D.-equivalent degree and want to pursue studies in American law.
Full-Time Program
For more information about the LL.M. program and to apply visit www.regent.edu/llm.
Full-time students will graduate in three calendar years by enrolling in courses in the fall and spring semesters.
Center for Advocacy Skills Training
Part-Time Program
Comprised of a number of academic programs, advocacy skills training boards and teams, and various opportunities for hands-on legal experience, Regent Law’s Center for Advocacy connects classroom instruction with real-world experience while providing opportunities to integrate ministry within the legal profession.
Part-time students take courses with full-time students, but at a more flexible pace. Part-time students who desire to be employed for more than 20 hours per week, or for other reasons need a more flexible schedule, will generally be able to earn their J.D. in four to five calendar years.
Primary components of the center include: the legal research and writing curriculum, moot court, negotiations and trial advocacy boards and teams, the Civil Litigation Clinic, the National Right to Work and Civil Litigation practicums, and externships in a variety of legal settings.
The ABA accreditation standards presently limit students to 20 hours of work per week when enrolled in more than 12 credit hours.
> To view course descriptions, academic calendar and honor code visit www.regent.edu/lawstudentaffairs.
• M.Div. (Master of Divinity) • M.A. in Communication • M.A. in Counseling • M.A. in Government • M.A. in Management • M.A. in Organizational Leadership • M.A. in Practical Theology
Global Reach, Global Impact: International Programs
Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law
International Study Opportunities
The Center for Global Justice equips students to exercise the law in ending global human rights abuses. It also provides resources and support to those ministries, organizations and individuals who are fighting to rescue the poor and needy among us.
Strasbourg, France Jerusalem and Haifa, Israel Oxford, England Pohang, South Korea Shantou, China Madrid and Barcelona, Spain
Students interested in international and human rights law have the opportunity to do hands-on legal research and advocacy internships while being trained and equipped as advocates for the world’s poor and oppressed. In support of these initiatives Regent Law will fund up to 10 international internships per year.
American Center for Law and Justice The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is a premier national public interest law firm specializing in constitutional law and the defense of religious and civil liberties. The ACLJ gives Regent Law students a competitive opportunity to contribute to historic cases, including the ACLJ’s recent Supreme Court victory in Pleasant Grove City v. Summum. As part of the ACLJ Spring Semester Program, select students have the chance to study constitutional law, the courts and Congress in Washington, D.C., alongside practicing constitutional law experts.
“At Regent you can study constitutional rights in an environment that successfully defends them.” Dr. Jay Sekulow Chief Counsel, ACLJ Distinguished Professor of Law
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Competitions & Awards
Faculty Regent Law faculty have earned degrees from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, the University of Chicago, Duke, Georgetown, USC and the University of Virginia, among others. More important than academic pedigree, however, is the fact that as a Regent Law student you will receive a rigorous legal education from a faculty deeply committed to both your academic and spiritual success.
Each year, Regent Law students have the opportunity to sharpen their legal writing, oral advocacy and negotiation skills by competing in a variety of moot court, mock trial and negotiation competitions across the country. Our students have been extremely successful in competitions at both the regional and national levels. 2010 Winners of the National Black Law Students Association (NBLSA) International Negotiation Championship and the 2010 TYLA National Trial Competition Regional Championship. 2009 Winners of the William B. Spong Jr. Invitational Moot Court Tournament and the Mehrige National Environmental Law Negotiation Competition. 2008 Winners of the ABA Regional National Appellate Advocacy Competition (Moot Court) along with the National Black Law Students Association International Negotiation Championship.
> For a complete list of recognitions and awards visit www.regent.edu/lawawards.
Our graduates will tell you that the influence of their professors continues well after they leave Regent for careers in private practice, business, government, judicial clerkships and public interest organizations.
> To learn more about our faculty visit www.regent.edu/lawfaculty.
Distinguished Professor & Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft is excited to be a part of the Regent Law faculty because it gives him greater latitude to pursue the truth than is commonly available in a secular environment. As Distinguished Professor of Law and Government, Ashcroft imparts invaluable lessons of leadership to his students while emphasizing the role of faith in decision making. Regent Law students benefit from Ashcroft’s expertise and wealth of experience at the highest levels of government and enjoy the collegial support and encouragement he gives to the next generation of legal leaders.
Alumni Regent Law alumni practice with distinction across the United States and in countries around the world. They are engaged across the spectrum of law: in private practice, government and various branches of the United States military, in businesses both large and small, in judicial clerkships, in public interest organizations and academia, and as elected officials. Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell ’89 Alumni Placement | Class of 2009
Private Practice
54%
Government/Military
10%
Business
16%
Judicial Clerkship
8%
Public Interest
6%
Academic
6%
> For the most recent alumni employment information visit www.regent.edu/lawcareerservices.
Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell ’89 (Law and Government), a member of Regent Law’s charter class, is just one of over 2,500 law alumni serving as lawyers in public and private practice, judges, legislators, elected officials and human rights advocates around the world. Prior to assuming his role as governor, McDonnell was elected Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia, a position he held until February of 2009. Before that, he served in Virginia’s House of Delegates and practiced law as a prosecutor. McDonnell believes the integration of faith and learning within the Regent Law curriculum makes Regent an important institution of higher learning, and he credits the school with giving him the legal training he needed to fight for the policies that have made America a great nation.
Campus & Community Attending law school is a demanding endeavor, but Regent Law’s uniquely supportive environment and location in Virginia Beach, Va., help ease the pressures of obtaining a legal education. Regent’s caring community and coastal climate contribute to Regent Law being recognized by The Princeton Review as a topten law school for “Best Quality of Life.” Our students flourish in this warmly collegial atmosphere.
Fellowship At Regent Law, students, faculty and staff share an abiding commitment to support one another. This is a challenging environment for legal learning, but not a place for fierce rivalry. We promote personal bests and applaud individual success in a spirit of humility and service to others. Our academic community represents a broad cross-section of the body of Christ, and we pray for each other in a genuine spirit of Christian fellowship.
Diversity
Virginia Beach & Hampton Roads Just a short drive from our campus, the Virginia Beach waterfront stretches some 35 miles from Chesapeake Bay beaches to the oceanfront resort area and the border of North Carolina. Within the area students may take advantage of a wealth of attractions and activities. Residents enjoy quiet parks and vibrant downtowns, cultural offerings ranging from opera to outdoor festivals, and restaurants of all descriptions.
Housing Regent student housing is available to single and married students in Regent Commons and to married students and those with children in Regent Village. Both offer convenient locations in close proximity to the campus, as well as a variety of floor plans and amenities. > For more on-campus housing information and a video tour visit www.regent.edu/housing.
Drawn from 49 states and over 500 academic institutions, Regent Law students hold degrees in an array of fields and are a diverse assemblage of talented individuals. Minority students comprise between 15 and 20 percent of the student body. Regent Law is a nondenominational academic institution that welcomes students of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds who wish to study law from a Christian perspective.
Campus visits Prospective students are encouraged to visit campus and participate in one of the many visitation programs hosted by the Office of Admissions. > To schedule a visit, call 757.352.4584 or email lawschool@regent.edu.
Admissions & Financial Aid Regent Law admits students with academic promise and calling who are serious about the critical roles they will assume as future attorneys, elected officials and client advocates at home and abroad.
Joshua Fan, Class of 2012 One of the reasons Maryland native Joshua Fan was attracted to Regent Law was the inclusion of devotions at the beginning of each class, something he never experienced as an undergraduate at Boston College.
Requirements The Admissions Committee welcomes applicants from all Christian denominations and non-Christians who desire to study at Regent in light of our Christian mission. Given Regent University’s unique mission as a Christian institution, applicants are asked to carefully read the Philosophy of Education section of the Community Life Form (included in the application materials at www. regent.edu/lawapply) and Regent Law mission statement. Strong academic credentials are crucial, but Regent Law also places significant importance on the Personal Statement and recommendations. The Personal Statement gives the Admissions Committee insight into the student’s motivation for studying law and reveals his or her desire to receive a legal education integrated with Christian principles.
Timelines Applicants who wish priority consideration for admission and scholarship or grant assistance from Regent University School of Law are encouraged to apply by February 1, although applications for admission may be submitted anytime between October 15 and June 1 for the fall semester. After June 1, applications will be considered on a space-available basis. Early application is encouraged, since enrollment in the firstyear class is limited. All first-year students begin their legal education in August. > To apply visit www.regent.edu/lawadmissions.
“Classroom devotions have been even more impactful to me now that I’ve actually experienced them,” he says. “Hearing how law professors have personally integrated their faith into the practice of the law helps students interact with them on a more personal level. At Regent, law professors are approachable professionals who help students place their legal studies in the larger context of their life’s calling.” Fan's internship experiences underscore the larger context of his legal calling: helping to address urgent human rights problems around the world. He has worked with International Justice Mission–a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression–and has completed a summer internship with an immigration law firm. After graduating from Regent Law, Fan hopes to extend his global reach and impact with a government agency like the FBI or as an attorney for the Department of Justice.
Profile of the 2009 Entering Class Number of Applications...................................................................................................... 873 Class Size................................................................................................................................. 162 Average LSAT.......................................................................................................................... 153 Average GPA............................................................................................................................ 3.34 25/75th LSAT.......................................................................................................................... 150/156 25/75th GPA. .......................................................................................................................... 3.07/3.71 Under-represented Races/Ethnicities............................................................................. 15%
Tristen Cramer, Class of 2012 Tristen Cramer loves a good challenge, like the one she got as a student at Cornell. While academic excellence remained important to her as she began evaluating law schools, she also wanted a school that would support her passion for the pro-life movement and prepare her for a career defending the rights of the voiceless. “I was looking for two characteristics: academic rigor and community,” she says. “I felt that Regent was the only university that fully demonstrated both. As I considered Regent’s Christian foundations and the presence of the ACLJ on campus, it became clear that this was the place for me. I can’t imagine having gone anywhere else for law school.”
Female Enrollment............................................................................................................... 49% Average Age............................................................................................................................ 25 Age Range. .............................................................................................................................. 20-61 Virginia Residency. ............................................................................................................... 30% Number of States Represented......................................................................................... 39 Number of Academic Institutions Represented.......................................................... 125 Total number of J.D. Students.......................................................................................... 402
First-time Bar Passage Rate for 2009 Graduates of Regent Law* LSAT at or greater than 150
81%
LSAT at or greater than 155
90%
LSAT at or greater than 160
100%
*The 2009 national bar passage rate for all first-time takers from ABA-approved law schools was 83 percent.
> See our FAQs at www.regent.edu/lawadmissions for the most recent bar passage rates and class profile.
Financial Aid & Tuition
Regent University and the School of Law are committed to recognizing and rewarding academic excellence. Regent Law awards approximately $3 million in scholarships and grants annually.
Scholarships & Grants In recent years, over 90 percent of law students received some type of federal aid, and over 70 percent received aid in the form of Regent scholarships and grants. Students not awarded financial assistance for the first year of law school may qualify for assistance in future years based upon academic performance. Regent Law students typically finance their law school education through a combination of personal and family resources, income from employment, educational loans, grants and scholarship assistance. Additionally, some students secure on-campus graduate assistant positions to supplement their income.
> For detailed financial aid information, application procedures and current scholarship opportunities visit www.regent.edu/lawfinances.
School of L aw Regent University School of Law Office of Admissions – RH 239 1000 Regent University Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23464-9800 Phone: 757.352.4584 Toll Free: 877.267.5072 Fax: 757.352.4139 Email: lawschool@regent.edu Website: www.regent.edu/law Visitation Schedule: www.regent.edu/lawvisit To request information: www.regent.edu/inforeqeust
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 Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 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. LAW100329