Regent University. in Virginia Law Schools
Regent University
About Regent University:
Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Type: Private Christian university.
Founded: 1977 by Pat Robertson.
Law School: Regent University School of Law.
Focus: The law school integrates Christian principles with legal education, emphasizing the development of ethical lawyers committed to justice and service.
Regent University School of Law:
Establishment: Founded in 1986.
Accreditation: Accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Programs: Offers Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.), and dual degree programs.
Philosophy: Seeks to educate lawyers who are not only skilled in legal practice but also uphold moral and ethical standards grounded in Christian faith.
Clinical Programs: Provides practical training through clinics, externships, and trial advocacy programs.
Bar Passage and Employment: Regent Law graduates have had competitive bar passage rates and placement in law firms, government, and public interest jobs, especially in Virginia and surrounding areas.
Regent University’s Position Among Virginia Law Schools:
Virginia has several prominent law schools, including:
University of Virginia School of Law (UVA)
William & Mary Law School
George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School
Regent University School of Law
Compared to UVA and William & Mary, which are public and historic institutions with highly ranked national profiles, Regent University Law is:
A smaller, private law school.
Known for its Christian worldview approach.
Emphasizes service, ethics, and leadership.
Has a more niche appeal to students seeking faith-integrated legal education.
Offers strong regional connections especially in Virginia’s legal community.
Academic Reputation and Specialties:
Constitutional Law and Religious Liberties: Regent Law has a strong emphasis on religious freedom and constitutional law in line with its mission.
Trial Advocacy: The school has a reputation for strong advocacy and clinical training.
Public Policy and Ethics: Emphasizes the intersection of law, ethics, and public policy from a faith-based perspective.
Legal Context and Case Law (Relevant to Regent’s Focus):
While Regent University as an institution is not a party to landmark legal cases, its law school often focuses on or studies significant cases in areas such as religious freedom, free speech, and ethics in law. Some landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases relevant to these themes include:
Employment Division v. Smith (1990): Concerned religious freedom and the limits of state laws.
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (2014): Addressed religious objections to certain federal mandates.
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission (2018): Related to freedom of speech and religion in commercial contexts.
Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014): Focused on prayer in government settings.
These cases are often studied and analyzed in Regent’s curriculum, given its focus on integrating faith with law.
Notable Alumni and Contributions:
Regent has produced graduates who serve in various public offices, nonprofit leadership roles, and legal practice focused on constitutional law, religious liberties, and public interest law.
Alumni often participate in advocacy on behalf of religious freedoms and ethical legal practices.
Summary:
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Location | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
Founded | 1986 (Law School) |
Type | Private Christian Law School |
Accreditation | American Bar Association (ABA) |
Academic Focus | Law & Christian ethics, constitutional law, advocacy |
Regional Reputation | Strong in Virginia legal circles, niche Christian focus |
Bar & Employment | Competitive regional bar passage and job placement |
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