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Anastasios Kamoutsas ‘13

Florida International University

"The plans you have are not the plans God has." These insightful words from a stranger caused Anastasios Kamoutsas, 2L and President of PILAR (Public Interest Law Advocates at Regent) to consider attending Regent Law. Active in the ministry and very involved in family life in Miami, he had never thought of leaving the place where he grew up. But as Anastasios continues to learn, God usually has better plans for our lives than we could dare to hope or imagine. Kamoutsas grew up in Miami, Florida, learning to speak both Greek and Spanish thanks to his dad's Greek heritage and his mother's Cuban family. He had always set his sights on law for one reason. Falling into hard financial straits, his mom encouraged him to enter a lucrative profession. Taking him aside one day, she told Anastasios, "You can either be a doctor or a lawyer." Kamoutsas concluded that law better suited his writing and speaking skills. Unknowingly, in choosing law he was aligning himself with God's plan for his life, but for the wrong reason entirely. "I just wanted to make money, that was all law was about for me," Kamoutsas said. "I could read, I could write, I could analyze - I'll do law. I'm going to make money during the day and then go home," he said. Kamoutsas thought he was dutifully following the right course up until mid-way through the application process. As he took the LSAT and calculated the expense of law school he prayed more fervently for direction. "Lord, I'm spending all this time to go to law school, all this money--I'm going to be in debt. Why do I want to study law?" he thought. God did not answer his question until a year and a half into the law program at Regent. As he took core Regent classes such as Christian Foundations of Law, he began to see the biblical principles that lay behind the legal issues he was studying. Regent Law's motto - "Law is more than a profession. It's a calling" - caused him to realize God wanted him to view the legal profession as a ministry and not just a job. "If you seek me first, if you seek what I'm calling you to do which is to practice law and to study law in a way where you're going to be able to help people, then everything else will follow... I'll give you the job, I'll give you the money, but all I want you to do is seek me first," says Anastasios, paraphrasing a few of God's many lessons to him in the last semester. While he is currently interested in being a prosecuting attorney, Kamoutsas is confident that God will confirm that at the right time. His advice to Regent students and prospective students is simple. "Be open to God's will. Law school is preparing you not just for law, but for life."

Amy Vitale ‘12

Houghton College

“I was nervous about going to a Christian law school,” said Amy Vitale. But now that she is in her final year at Regent she says she would not trade her legal education here for any other school in the world. Amy was born and raised in upstate New York but wanted to spend a season in Virginia because of the richness of its historical setting. She was raised in a Christian home and attended Christian schools from kindergarten through college, and while she was fully aware of the merits of a Christian legal education she found herself considering the value of adding a secular school to her resume. When the time came to apply to law schools Amy sent her application to ten—none of which included Regent. After narrowing her choice to two Virginia schools, her undergrad alumni office connected her with the only alum who had attended her first choice school. That Houghton alum happened to be married to Regent Law professor, Michael Hernandez. “Professor and Mrs. Hernandez were on the phone with me for an hour-and-a-half on a school night, and their willingness to talk about Regent and law school in general amazed me,” recalled Amy appreciatively. “They were willing to give of their time in a way that I think professors in most schools would not. They encouraged me to apply and within three days I was coming to Regent with a scholarship.” It did not take Amy long to make her mark on Regent. She serves as Symposium Editor for the Law Review and earned her place on the Moot Court Board where she not only won the 2010 Regent Cup but was a member of the team that was awarded 2nd place overall and Best Brief honors in a 2011 national competition. She achieved all of this while interning with the American Center for Law and Justice, planning her wedding, and balancing her first year of marriage. “I am so thankful that God guided my steps to Regent Law because the attitude with which people approach their work is that they are doing this as unto the Lord and with excellence. It is such a precious and enjoyable learning environment to be in, where students and professors pray for and encourage you. We are doing this for a purpose, not a pay check—and that makes all the difference in the world,” Amy concluded. “I wouldn’t trade it.”

Amy Pyecha ‘13

University of Virginia

Amy Pyecha knew she belonged in a career where she could help people. She considers herself the perfect fit for Regent Law, which, she explains, “puts people back into the legal process.” After graduating from the University of Virginia with a degree in comparative literature, Amy found herself in a proverbial waiting room. Unsure of what she wanted to do with her degree or whether she ought to pursue graduate school, Amy moved to Norfolk, Va., where she managed a local franchise of a national restaurant chain. Meanwhile, as people kept suggesting that she consider different "people" professions such as counseling or teaching, Amy found that a management position opened her eyes to many of the legal technicalities that people face on a daily basis. “I saw the law as an opportunity to be kind of a translator and make it more of a helping profession,” she said.    Pyecha also realized her study of comparative literature was perfectly suited to the legal profession because it would allow her to help non-lawyers understand the law. “If you’re reading something from a bad translation you’re going to get a different perspective on the whole work. That relates a lot to law because law is about having the right perspective and looking at things from the right angle.” So although the thought of leaving a salaried position scared her she realized that a career in family law was what God had been preparing her for all along. As she began to look into different law schools it quickly became apparent that Regent was the only choice for her. She acknowledged that law students and lawyers are typically known as sharks who are only out for themselves, so she knew she had to learn to incorporate her Christian faith into the study and practice of law if she wanted to be successful at keeping kindness in her work. Thus she found that one of the most surprising things about Regent was the support of her classmates through the rigorous and intense coursework. “The students are actually sympathetic with you and want to help you because they’re learning too and realize that you’re going through the same thing,” she said. “It’s not like you’re walking the plank and if you fall off somebody else is waiting to gobble you up.” Another thing she greatly values about being at Regent Law is the devotional time at the beginning of every class. “I didn’t realize that the devotionals would mean as much as they do,” she commented. “It really makes you stop and think about all the blessings that you have been given and remind you that you can’t do law school on your own—but you can do it with God.”

Brandon Allen-Santos ‘11

The College of William & Mary

Brandon Allen-Santos, who was born in Long Island, N.Y. and raised in St. Andrew, Jamaica, has a strong sense of self that was evident at a young age.  As a boy he knew he wanted to grow up to serve people. “I wanted to practice medicine—but then I saw somebody get cut open when I was ten and realized that was not for me.” So his mother suggested that since he loved to argue he should consider pursuing a career in law. “I took her seriously,” he said. “I started to do some research and to learn how exciting the law could be.” His resolve is evident in the way he pursued his undergraduate education. While most people apply to their top choice school(s), and then multiple back-ups “just in case,” Brandon only applied to one: The College of William & Mary, one of the nation’s top schools that only accepts a third of its applicants. Law school, however, was a different story. Unsure of where he wanted to go, but game for a new adventure, Brandon applied to every school in which he was even remotely interested. “I applied to about 25 schools and Regent wasn’t even on my map,” he said emphatically.  Then a friend moved to Virginia Beach and suggested he consider Regent, which he did—until his mother started urging him toward Regent. This ignited his rebellious side and he determined not to come. “No offense to you mom,” he chuckled parenthetically, “I was not going to Regent.” During his debate between committing to one of the multiple schools to which he was accepted, Santos decided to attend some ASPs (Academic Success Programs) that happened to be taking place at Regent. While on campus he met a professor he described as “a really nice, candid guy.”  Professor James Duane played a key role in Brandon’s decision to come to Regent after all. “The professors—that is the reason I went to Regent. They are really open-minded and don’t make you feel like you are ostracized because you have a different perspective. They will listen to what you’re saying and have an intellectual discussion with you so you will feel welcome in that particular environment. They do not only display Christian values in their words but also in their actions.” Brandon, who explains that it is easy to be overlooked in a larger student body, was surprised at the number of leadership opportunities with which he was presented at Regent. He served as Chairman of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) where he helped pioneer the first BLSA Symposium, was a member of the Student Bar Association, tutored teens at the Norfolk Detention Center, worked multiple internships, studied in Spain for a semester, played in the intramural flag football league, and was even honored with an invitation to deliver a speech in response to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech. “I don’t think I would have been able to do those things anywhere else. In terms of being active in the community, developing meaningful friendships, strengthening my walk with God, being more steeped in my faith, and realizing the faults that I could possibly correct, I definitely wouldn’t have gotten any of that at any other school.” Santos is preparing for the Bar and waiting to hear whether he was accepted into the Navy JAG Corps. “I love service, so if I do not get the job with JAG, then hopefully somewhere else that has the same qualities. But I have realized that I can’t limit myself to my plans. So whatever path I’m supposed to walk is what I’ll take. I’ll do it joyously.”

Nicole LeBoeuf ‘13

Belmont University

Nicole LeBoeuf’s journey to Regent Law did not follow a straight path. Having parents who are both attorneys, she grew up knowing exactly what she did not want to do—pursue law. “I wanted to become a professional singer,” 2L LeBoeuf shared. Musical doors opened quickly: at age 16, she auditioned for American Idol and was sent to Hollywood. Out of 70,000 auditions nationwide, LeBoeuf was among 117 chosen. Although she didn’t make it to the finals, the experience was invaluable: “American Idol opened a lot of doors for me,” she said. Shortly thereafter, she made her first single and headed confidently to Belmont University to major in music business. Once there, she noticed her classmates had an intense passion for music she didn’t share. Prompted to discover her life’s passion, she eventually realized her heart resonates with work that defends the helpless, namely, human trafficking victims. A web search led her to the International Justice Mission site, and as she perused it, she realized becoming a lawyer would give her legal grounds to fight human trafficking. “When the Lord revealed to me that my calling was to fight human trafficking as a lawyer, I felt like every single thing in my life, including the bad things, made sense,” she said. LeBoeuf felt God had been preparing her for public speaking through singing experiences, and the difficulties she’d encountered had cultivated an empathetic heart for human trafficking victims. While applying for law schools, LeBoeuf said, “I recognized how Regent Law values their students. You're not a number here—people genuinely care.” She recalls that within the first two hours of visiting Regent Law during Preview Weekend, she fell in love with the school and the Virginia Beach area. Upon graduating from Regent Law, LeBoeuf plans to fight human trafficking within the U.S.

Nicole De La Zerda ‘12

Radford University

What compelled a Los Angeles hairstylist turned golf industry marketing professional to leave her comfortable beach apartment and budding career to attend law school in Virginia? “I never wanted to leave California, but the Lord had other plans,” said 2L Nicole De La Zerda. The second person in her family ever to attend college and the first to go to graduate school, De La Zerda’s Hispanic cultural norms - which according to De La Zerda tend to advocate communal and family-oriented pursuits over such individualized careers as law - and a lack of exposure to the idea of a legal career initially kept her from pursuing law. “It wasn’t until I got into the work force and became familiar with what the legal profession was that I actually became interested,” she said. With a heart for service, De La Zerda’s legal interest was ignited when she helped her brother start a non-profit for homeless teens. She noticed the apathy of the public defenders assigned to help and the difficulty homeless teens had getting out of the criminal system. “There has to be a better way,” she thought. Wanting to help, De La Zerda began considering law school. Her mother, a realtor in Virginia Beach, knew of Regent Law and kept encouraging her to apply. She even purchased a rental property near campus believing the Lord would lead her daughter to Regent. “It was literally the faith of everyone around me that got me here,” she said. The day after receiving her acceptance, De La Zerda was unexpectedly laid off. Within a week her apartment was sublet, though it was one of many identical units for rent. Back in Virginia, her parents’ tenants gave notice on the house near campus. De La Zerda received a severance package which was enough money, to the dollar, to move to Virginia.  “I jokingly say the Lord kicked me out of California,” she said. “Sometimes when you are struggling to make a decision, God just opens and closes doors for you if you are open and if you keep moving forward.” Now in her second year at Regent Law, De La Zerda appreciates God’s direction. She loves the supportive climate at Regent, recalling times when fellow classmates, including the top students in her class, helped her grasp difficult concepts - something she said would not happen at other law schools. She also disregards what rankings may suggest about Regent Law. “People choose Regent because it’s Regent, not because it’s the only school they get into. There are people here who could have gone anywhere, but they chose Regent because of the values and the environment,” she said, “plus, it’s a great education.” De La Zerda plans to become a public defender after law school. As a founding member of the Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA), she would also like to be more involved in the Hispanic community by mentoring young Hispanics interested in the law.

Ashley-Loren Grant ‘12

Florida State University

“I always knew that I thought differently than a lot of people, but I didn’t know why.  Regent gave me the reason why,” said Regent Law 2L Ashley-Loren Grant.  Bright, smiling, and inquisitive now, Grant’s satisfaction came only after a deep, personal struggle with her law school decision and with God. Grant applied to many respected law schools, but after college she felt unmotivated, alone and unsettled about the future.  “Really, I was just completely scared of law school!” admitted Grant. “I was also at a place in my life where I wanted to stop being what everyone else wanted me to be and hide myself in God,” she said.  “It made me wonder if there was a Christian law school.” An internet search led her to Regent Law.  Unfamiliar but ever-curious, Grant contacted faculty, deans, and the administration of the school directly to ask why she should choose Regent.  “They were honest and said, ‘It’s just a better school!  It’s a better environment. You learn from top professors, but your mind is trained to think like a Christian and like an attorney,’” said Grant.  “At a time when I was feeling very vulnerable, I didn’t want to risk being manipulated to think there is no absolute truth or have my priorities changed.” The Regent Law environment offered Grant a sense of freedom that comes first from acknowledging the existence and authority of God.  “Regent embraces the idea that they are advancing a worldview – it’s a Christian worldview,” she said. “At public universities, they tend to think they’re not coming at you with any worldview, so you’re not trained to think critically or consider whether (or not) an argument is true.” Grant has been free to develop critical, legal thinking as part of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Law Review and to explore career interests by interning for Judge Humphreys of the Virginia Court of Appeals and working at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). More recently, she has become concerned about sex trafficking and, as the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, immigration issues. Grant has also felt free to be herself. “People here don’t expect you to listen to a certain type of music or answer a certain way in class.  They are interested in you regardless of your background or the color of your skin,” she said. “I came to Regent because I wanted to hide in God,” remembers Grant. “But in running to God, He’s actually exposed who he made me to be.  My personality has changed.  My outlook on life has changed. I’m drawing closer to the Lord, and I’m able to stand on my own two feet and say, ‘This is me!’  I don’t have to look like everyone else; I’m not everyone else, and that’s a good thing!”

Hyae-min Sarah Chang ‘13

University of Florida

Usually, when we at Regent Law speak of helping a person find their voice we do so in the context of social justice. But 1L Hyae-min Sarah Chang reminds us that it is not only the oppressed, but our own students, who have voices just waiting to be heard. Hyae-min, who goes by her middle name Sarah, is the lone girl and middle child of three. Her parents emigrated from South Korea to Tampa, Fla. in 1983, where she was born and raised. In high school Sarah realized that her hunger for truth and passion for justice were the perfect makings of a lawyer. However, it was not long before she found that dream fading into the background of her culture. “Doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and engineers all abound in the [Korean-American] community,” said Sarah. “I never knew a Korean lawyer, especially a female. The culture encourages us be quiet and keep harmony.” She explained that “asking questions, thinking outside of the box, and speaking out” are diametrically opposed to the way Korean women are expected to behave. As a result, Sarah subconsciously abandoned her dream and voice in her struggle for acceptance. Not only that, but being a Christian at a secular school added to her inhibitions, and it was not until she was a year away from her undergrad graduation that (then English major) Sarah realized the full impact of the cultural and spiritual burdens impeding her calling. “I lost my passion and my belief in myself concerning [law] as I got to college because I didn’t feel like I could take the steps to pursue justice and righteousness when I was not seeing it at all,” she said. “I wanted to be like a light on a hill but felt like I was going to be this tiny little candle. I was really discouraged.” Then came the question that began to change it all.  Sarah submitted a Biblically based analysis of Emily Dickinson’s poetry to a professor who returned the final paper with a “large ‘A’” on the front, accompanied by the question, “Where have you been all semester?” “I was really surprised because I had never gotten that kind of a reaction from a professor,” Chang said. He pulled her aside and said that she should not be afraid to speak her mind, and no matter what her opinions were, to take strength in who she knew she was. Despite her parents reminding and encouraging her of her high school dream to be a lawyer, Hyae-min still struggled to break out of her comfort zone and “approached the law school process with a lot of hesitation and uncertainty – and prayer. I didn’t want to go somewhere where I wouldn’t be able to learn about how to glorify God through the law. And then I heard about Regent.” Coming from a school as large as the University of Florida, Sarah was taken aback, and even a little put-off, by Regent’s size. But on the second day of her visit Professor Charles Oates pulled her aside and asked for her story and how he could pray for her. That is when she knew that this is where she belonged. Upon beginning classes Sarah confessed that she initially reverted to her former self, and even sat praying that she would not get called on. “After the first few days I thought ‘What am I doing? I’m here to study, to glorify God, but I’m being so self-conscious and so self-centered.’” The Lord reminded her that her identity is in Christ. “It doesn’t matter if I get a question wrong or embarrass myself in some way. My identity in Christ is solid.” And so Hyae-min’s story is not as much about finding her voice as it is listening for God’s voice.  He in turn gives her the courage and confidence to project the voice she has always had.

Cynthia Aby '11

Oglethorpe University

“I want to encourage people who are considering Regent Law but are resisting that call to not resist!” said 3L Cynthia Aby.  “If God is tugging at your heart, listen to him because there’s a reason.”  For Aby, the reason God led her to Regent Law was to step away from the comfort of leaning on her own understanding and to depend on Him for a new direction in life. A native of the Ivory Coast, West Africa, Aby moved to Atlanta, Ga. when she was 8.  She believed her bicultural heritage would lead to work at an international organization like the United Nations to help her home country and majored in international studies to that end in college.  “I did what came naturally as an international student, but I really wasn’t putting my plans in God’s hands yet,” she said.   Aby planned to study international law in law school, but a summer internship at a media production company changed her perspective.  Recognizing the power of the media to shape worldview sparked her passion to help promote positive media in the culture and prompted her to change her legal focus to media and entertainment law. “We need more Christians in Hollywood to create positive media that touches the heart with a timeless, eternal message,” she said.  Aby also hopes to use media to help change people’s perspective of Africa as poor, diseased and war torn.  “That’s not the Africa I know,” she said. Sensing a new direction toward media and entertainment law and thinking God would lead her to law school in California, Aby was surprised when God closed the doors.  With second thoughts about law school, she considered a deferral.  “But I prayed and felt God was telling me to go that fall to Regent,” she said.  “The outcome has been fulfillment in following God’s direction and trusting more in what He has prepared for me.  I realized in hindsight this is where God wanted me, in this community of people and the life that is here.” Aby has appreciated the close-knit, welcoming community she has experienced at Regent Law.   “It took me awhile to warm to people, but by second semester I had made friends for life,” she said.  She also appreciates the integration of Christian faith and law at Regent which she experiences through daily, faculty-led class devotions and the practical advice faculty give, pointing out the pitfalls that exist in the legal profession and how to avoid them from an “I’ve been there” approach.  “I really appreciate how open professors are about their personal lives,” says Aby. Aby has been encouraged to depend on God more because of her experience at Regent Law.  “You gain more trust in Him when he directs you because you know that he can see the future and you can’t.”  For now, Aby plans to take both the New York and California bar exams and move to New York, the opposite coast from where she thought she’d be.  Her life’s theme has become “I have my plans but God has His,” something she learned by not resisting God’s call to Regent Law. Click here to see Cynthia share more of her story at a Regent University women's luncheon.

Colby Barron '13

Pensacola Christian College

How does a woman bent on becoming a medical doctor suddenly change her mind and pursue a legal career?  We asked Regent Law 1L student, Colby Barron.  “It was a long journey,” she says.  “When I got into the science field, I found that it is not very open to Christians or to people that believe in Intelligent Design, so that made me start thinking about doing something else where I could, as a Christian, affect some type of change.” After graduating from college with a degree in pre-medicine, Barron began working for a Houston law firm specializing in medical malpractice.  “My bosses kept telling me I needed to switch to law,” she says.  But she continued her pursuit of medicine until national events caused her to rethink her plans.  “The thing that really switched my mind from medicine to law was when the health care bill passed,” says Barron. “I was actually in the interview process for medical school, and I said to myself, ‘I can’t work in a socialized system.’”  So Barron considered law school.  In her legal work, she encountered a Texas statute that allows hospitals to override the wishes of patients and their families regarding end-of-life care.  Barron thought, “Wow, I need to be in a position where I can actually change this.”  Barron’s perspective and desire to bring about change is influenced by her Christian faith, as was her choice of law schools.  After looking at schools nearer to her family in Texas, she decided on Regent Law.  “I wanted to be taught law from a Christian perspective,” says Barron.  “I also knew some of the alumni, and they highly recommended Regent.” As she transitions from a science background to the study of law, Barron says, “I feel like I’ve been ripped out of the place where I was and everything I knew and thrown into something completely different.  But I really like it - more than I expected.”  Though she finds the law enjoyable, the transition has been challenging.  “I have to completely retrain my brain,” she says.  “Retraining myself to think subjectively is more difficult for me than actually studying for the classes!  I have to rethink my approach to studying.” One thing that helps Barron in her transition is the surprising sense of humor she finds among Regent Law professors.  “The professors are funny!  They crack jokes in class, and yet they manage to tie them into the subject matter.  It’s much more engaging to students to listen to professors who are not just intelligent, but interesting as well.” Barron also appreciates the information Regent Law provided her during orientation.  “Very few law schools have a week-long orientation,” she notes.  “I showed my schedule to my bosses at the law firm, and they said, “No law schools help their students this much!”  Barron especially appreciated Dean Gantt’s orientation overview which gave her a solid context for her next three years.   Regent Law welcomes Colby Barron.

Brandon Furlong '12

University of Virginia

2L Brandon Furlong knew early on that he wanted a Christian legal education, but his route to Regent Law was circuitous.  Born in Germany to church-planting parents, he moved to St. Louis at age seven.  A “We the People” mock trial competition sparked his legal interest in high school as his team placed 2nd nationally out of nearly 2 million participants, but it was several years before he pursued law.  First, Furlong earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in finance and marketing then returned to St. Louis to work for a Christian entrepreneur.  He helped his parents start a new church, preaching from time to time, and later took a job as an account manager for a wealth management firm.  Furlong eventually chose law school because he wanted to make better use of his strong oratorical gifts, and, through his work experience, he also recognized the overlap between law and business and the career advantages a legal education would provide him, proving that a circuitous route is sometimes the best way to take. Ultimately, Furlong chose Regent because of its Christian approach to law.  “A friend from a very good law school told me, ‘Studying law can blur your sense of right and wrong and make everything sort of grey.’  To me, it’s really important to keep that foundational compass in terms of whether something is truly righteous or unrighteous.  Regent is the ideal environment to do that because we are encouraged to always be holding things up to the light of Scripture,” he says.   In addition to meeting his desire for a Christian legal foundation, Furlong has been impressed with the quality of education he receives at Regent Law, especially the school’s academic rigor which he describes as “very intense!” Regent Law’s academic intensity produces students who are well-equipped for legal service even before they graduate, as Furlong notes.  “Before I came, I talked to several faculty and students who said that Regent really focuses on developing legal writing skills.  During internships, Regent students are the ones who know what to do and, oftentimes, end up teaching the law students from other prestigious schools how to do the work.” At Regent, Furlong has been able to pursue his interest in religious liberties.  A recipient of the Blackstone Legal Fellowship, he interned at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).  Last summer, Furlong clerked for Justice S. Bernard Goodwin of the Virginia Supreme Court to broaden his legal experience.  During school, he works for a local commercial attorney and sharpens his public speaking skills as a member of both the Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Boards.  Outside of school, Furlong serves on his church’s decision team, praying with those who give their lives to Jesus Christ.  Enjoying his time at Regent, and glad he made this choice, Furlong wants prospective students to know, “Law school is harder and more work than people expect!”  He recommends regular physical work-outs and taking one day a week for rest.  Living in a house on Virginia Beach isn’t a bad way to help relieve the pressures of law school either!   As Brandon Furlong’s legal education comes full circle, Regent Law looks forward to seeing where the Lord leads him in his legal calling.

Sarah & Jordan Urness '11

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & Trinity Western University

Amazing things can happen when you seek the Lord’s direction for your life and legal calling.  Take it from 3Ls Sarah & Jordan Urness who met and married at Regent Law while pursuing their legal education.  Sarah is a hometown girl, born and raised in Virginia Beach.  Jordan grew up in Washington state and studied business at Trinity Western University in Canada so he could continue to play ice hockey while remaining on the West Coast. “For God to bring Jordan from Washington all the way to Virginia is really amazing, especially since Regent was not the first choice for either of us,” says Sarah who eventually chose Regent Law because of its excellent reputation in the local community – a reputation affirmed by a local judge and family friend.  “He had the highest praises for Regent,” she says. Regent’s local reputation also led to practical opportunities for Sarah.   As a 1L, she interned at a small, general practice firm.  Last fall, she completed an externship with the Legal Aid Society in Norfolk.  Both experiences introduced her to new career possibilities beyond her initial intent to pursue estates and trusts. Compared to Sarah, Jordan’s journey to Regent Law was not as clear cut.   “I went to a Christian university and didn’t want to go to a Christian law school, but the more I thought and prayed about it, the more God changed my mind set,” he says.  “As I was open and asking the Lord to guide me, I think He really did.”  Sarah agrees. Jordan considered that since there are so few Christian law schools, Regent Law would likely have quality teachers, and he has not been disappointed. “Regent Law has a fantastic faculty,” says Jordan.  “They’re all very bright, very capable and very challenging as instructors.  They also care about the students and really want us to succeed.” Jordan’s choice to come to Regent Law was also based on his desire to serve in the JAG Corps.   Virginia Beach’s large military presence, the military backgrounds of many Regent Law faculty and Regent’s record of successful alumni placement in the JAG Corps contributed to Jordan’s decision. Regent Law’s military connections landed Jordan a coveted 1L internship with the Army JAG Corps in Washington.  He has also interned for a private firm, and currently, he works with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney Office which he likens to his JAG experience.  Jordan hopes to start his career as a military prosecutor and eventually move into something more family friendly, a perspective he has developed at Regent.  Both Sarah and Jordan have come to better understand what it means to live out their Christian faith daily at Regent Law.   “Regent has just been phenomenal in that,” says Sarah, “especially observing how the professors put their faith and their families before career.  I think the order gets mixed up very often and very easily.  Being at Regent is a constant reminder to keep that order right.” Jordan also maintains his perspective by being part of a men’s small group.  “I would say it has been the single best part of being at Regent (besides meeting my wife).  Having a night a week to decompress from law school and share our struggles and rejoice in our triumphs has been really great." Not only has the Lord taught the Urnesses more about walking with Him here, He has also brought them together.  They met the first day of 1L orientation while standing in line to get their picture IDs.  “She didn’t want to date me for months,” says Jordan. “I was just too focused on school and not interested,” says Sarah.  “But I just kept being persistent and asking her out,” says Jordan.  “Finally, we started dating in December, right around 1L finals.  We got engaged August before 2L year, and we were married the following May,” they say simultaneously.  After honeymooning in Hawaii, the Urnesses went on Regent Law’s Summer Program to Strasbourg France.  “We would highly recommend Regent’s study abroad programs!” says Jordan.   With a smile, Sarah agrees.

Emily Rebecca Dunn '13

University of Tulsa

“I didn’t expect to love it this much!” says 1L Emily Rebecca Dunn of her initial Regent Law experience.  Before coming to Regent, Dunn met many attorneys, through her work as a nanny, who gave her less than glowing impressions of what law school would be like. “I heard all these depressing things about law school, so I had it in my mind that I was just going to get it over with like a bad dentist appointment … a three-year long dentist appointment,” says Dunn. “But I love it! I can’t stop talking about it.”  ‘Talking’ has not come easy for Dunn who has 70-80% congenital hearing loss. Growing up in Oklahoma, Dunn’s parents enrolled her in a special school that taught sign language because her speech was so poor. But Dunn’s teachers believed that, with good therapy, she could eventually develop speech. In first grade, she consequently changed schools. By the third grade, Dunn was part of the gifted and talented program and weaned from special education altogether.  Dunn continued to excel and graduated from public high school at the top of her class. As a National Merit Finalist, Dunn received a full scholarship to the University of Tulsa. She majored in business so she would be prepared to open her own practice after law school. Becoming a lawyer has been Dunn’s dream since her first exposure to law in an 8th grade civics class. Through high school, Dunn volunteered with the Tulsa Youth Court, a program where students try actual court cases involving juvenile misdemeanors. “The point of the program was to restore the person who had made a mistake – their first offense,” says Dunn. “I just soaked up the opportunity to pour into these children’s lives.” Dunn describes leaving the Youth Court program as bittersweet. “I thought, ‘I have to go through seven more years of school to get back to this?’” she says. “Making a difference in the kids’ lives is what really ignited my passion to get into the legal field.” Dunn has been passionate about attending Regent Law since her freshman year of college when she first read the school motto, “Law is more than a profession. It’s a calling.”  “I thought, ‘This is exactly how I feel!’” she says. “This isn’t something I want to do for a job ... it’s what I’m passionate about.  I saw [the motto] and said, ‘Forget any other law school, I’m going here!'” Of her Regent Law experience so far, Dunn says, “Regent has exceeded my expectations. I feel like here at Regent, they’re concerned about the whole person, not just your legal knowledge and whether you can spout off a rule.” Because her husband is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard, Dunn sees their transfer to Virginia Beach so she could attend Regent Law as Providential, but she’s uncertain about future plans. “I don’t even know which bar I’m going to take!” she says. “I don’t have a lot of power as to where I’ll be practicing. I just know that I have a passion for children and families. I also love problem solving. I hope my passion will be put to good use.” Regent Law hopes so too and welcomes Emily Rebecca Dunn.

Joel Hills '11

Grove City College

Self-described as having “issues with authority,” Joel Hills came to Regent Law on his own terms and with his own expectations.  It was not long, however, before he realized that the path he expected to traverse and that which God lead him down were very different. Hills began to realize his calling to law at a young age. When arguments would arise from which most kids would back down, he would surge forward head first. Upon observing this behavior those close to him would joke that as much as he liked to argue and butt heads with people, he might as well get paid to do it. “So I took that to heart,” he explained, “and as I became more aware of my faith I really felt called to do it. It’s what I was made to do.” Hills was accepted into multiple well recognized law schools, but said “One day I woke up and I was a 1L at Regent. I didn’t even think about it all that much.” Since he earned a strong GPA while double majoring in History and Political Science at Grove City College in Pittsburgh, Pa., and worked for 501C3s and the Institute for Justice in D.C., he arrived at Regent Law expecting to be “this brainiac, #1 guy.” But struggling during the first semester of his 1L year forced Joel to allow God to transform the “old, haughty, sure-of-himself” man. Now, not only is Hills excelling in his studies and multiple extracurricular commitments, but he is doing so with a humble confidence that can only come through a sincere trust in God. That was not the only thing that changed in Joel’s life while attending Regent Law. Initially Hills’ goal was to work as a “slick” lawyer at a public interest firm “arguing fundamental questions of life in the Supreme Court.” However, after completing an externship with the American Center for Law and Justice he realized that, although there was merit in the work, this was not his passion. He then took on a job at home in Pa. with a criminal defense attorney who argues (and often wins) both “big time” and “dead end” cases in the hopes of sharing God’s grace, favor, and power with his clients. God used this experience to teach Joel that “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for Me.” So although his worst nightmare was to go back to Western Pennsylvania, he now prays daily that God will provide a job which will allow him to do just that – to serve as an advocate for those that society believes do not deserve voices, and where he and his wife and daughter, whom he refused to uproot upon marrying half-way through law school, can finally live together. “My faith overall has definitely been strengthened by this experience; being away from my wife and going through the rigors of law school, I’ve been drawing closer to the Lord throughout the whole thing,” he said, “I’ve become a better person for being here… Regent, whose legal education is second to none, was the perfect fit and I wouldn’t have done it any differently.”

Joel Dunn '13

Texas Tech

Regent Law's motto (“Law is more than a profession. It’s a calling”) resonates strongly with 1L student Joel Dunn who wasn’t planning to go to law school. Before his change of direction, Dunn’s aspirations remained close to home. Growing up on the family cotton farm in West Texas, Dunn planned to follow in the footsteps of his great uncle and enter Christian ministry, so he became a licensed preacher during college. But in 2006, Dunn’s thoughts turned to law when Dr. Del Tackett, the former president of the Focus on the Family Institute and chief spokesperson for The Truth Project, mentioned to Dunn that he should consider law school. Dunn began to research Christian law schools. “I knew that if I wanted to go to law school, I wanted it to be one that held up Christ,” says Dunn. “I didn’t know if one existed.” In his search, Dunn found Regent Law. But with his deep Texas roots, he thought Regent Law’s Virginia Beach, Va. location was a long way from home. A visit from Law recruiter Kerriél Bailey, who drove 350 miles from Dallas to Lubbock especially to meet Dunn, made all the difference. “Her admiration for what the school does and what it stands for really solidified that if I were going to go into law, this is where I would be,” says Dunn.   Dunn and his wife made the trip across country, and their Regent Law experience has exceeded their expectations. Dunn is impressed with the earnestness and godliness of the faculty which he sensed working alongside two of the deans during Regent Law’s annual Community Service Day. “Cutting down grass and trees with the dean of your law school is not an experience you get to have in just any school – to get to visit with him on that level and see his heart for God is completely unique,” he says. Dunn has also been pleasantly surprised by the structure of law school classes. “I thought it would be just read, read, read,” he says.  “But I really like putting the pieces together… understanding why the law is the way it is… how the laws of God have been truly instrumental in the creation of the laws of man. I don’t know that you would get to see that anywhere else,” says Dunn. Because of his passion for the Christian foundations of American law, Dunn is particularly interested in Constitutional law and the possibility of public service, but he also senses other possible avenues his future may take. His wife, Stephanie, who has a Master’s degree in social work, is passionate about the International Justice Mission which Dunn says is, “an avenue where we both could serve together vocationally.” The Dunn’s are also passionate about helping men get out of and stay out of the trap of pornography and helping couples who have experienced infidelity or pornography addictions. Though his specific direction is yet uncertain, Dunn is crystal clear about his call to Regent Law. “This is absolutely where I’m supposed to be,” he says. “The good thing about being called… is that it is not as scary as it would have been. You hear all these horror stories about law school, but I know that I’m called here, so I’m not worried about it. I know God has a purpose for me to be here, and so I can just rest in Him that he’s going to take care of it,” he says. “As long as I do my best, I will get out of it I need to get out of it, and it will be along His lines.” We welcome Joel Dunn as he pursues his legal calling here at Regent Law.

Tim Downing '11

University of Oklahoma and Oral Roberts University

In 2008, the Downings made the difficult decision to uproot their family from Oklahoma to Virginia Beach, Va. so that 3L Tim Downing could attend Regent University School of Law. What has been the verdict after two and half years at Regent? “It has surpassed all of our expectations,” says Tim. “We’ve had an awesome experience here.” Both Tim and his wife Lan hail from small towns near Oklahoma City. Both grew up in church, and both become serious about their relationships with the Lord and each other after meeting at Tio’s, a local Mexican restaurant where Lan worked as a waitress. Together, they finished college and Bible school, married, started a family, and embarked on a life of local ministry helping start a church in Pauls Valley, the town they called home for 10 years before deciding to come to Regent Law. “We’ve prayed about things we should be doing to prepare ourselves for the future,” says Tim who has a passion to serve his country. “Both Lan and I have undergraduate degrees in public affairs, so I’ve always thought about public service, maybe being in office someday or drafting legislation,” he says. Tim is also interested in military service with the JAG corps. “I felt like the best way to prepare myself would be to study and learn the law,” says Tim.   When asked how he chose Regent Law, Tim says, “My decision came down to the University of Oklahoma (our alma mater) and Regent. On paper, coming to Regent didn’t make the most sense financially, logistically, etc.  But what did make sense was the reason I was going to law school – I felt God had called me, and I didn’t feel there was any place that would prepare me as well as Regent would,” says Tim.  While Tim’s Regent Law education would be ideal, the decision to make such a dramatic life change was difficult for the Downings. “It was tough to leave all our friends and family in Oklahoma,” says Tim. “We were very well established there, so leaving was a huge decision.”      The Opportunities Were Greater… Lan also felt the weight of their decision to come to Regent Law but has been pleasantly surprised. “You think of law school as being a lot of younger people right out of college, so coming as a family, there was a lot of uncertainty about what it would be like,” she says. “But getting here and experiencing it has been just amazing. It has surpassed our expectations in terms of the support Regent gives you as a family.” During their time at Regent Law, the Downing family has lived in Regent Village, the University’s student housing complex, which has offered them a tremendous sense of community support. Additionally, each has developed a personal network of Christian friends, Tim as a member of a men’s fellowship group composed of other law students and Lan in her role as president of the Law Wives association. Another reason for the Downing family’s success at Regent has been Tim’s perspective. “My approach to law school has been to put my church and family activities first, and then whatever is left is what I have to work with for my law school experiences. I really pray about what things to get involved in, and then I can really give those things my best,” he says. His best is what Tim has given his time at Regent Law. Since his 1L year, he has been very involved with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) where he currently works full time. During the summers, Tim has taken classes and done various internships including a Senate legal fellowship in Washington, D.C. for Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe. He also participated in Regent Law’s Summer Program in Israel. “One thing I wasn’t expecting was the amount of extracurricular opportunities here,” says Tim. His second year, Tim became president of the International Law Society and served on the Dean’s advisory board. “At the time, Dean Brauch was starting the Center for Global Justice. I caught that sense of passion for what was going on internationally, and I wanted to be a part of it,” says Tim. Broadened Perspectives… Both Tim and Lan have felt their perspectives broaden at Regent. “It’s opened my horizons,” says Tim. I came here with a perspective of the United States and politics, and since being here, my heart has really been opened to international issues,” says Tim whose job with the ACLJ has had a predominantly international focus. Lan also feels that being part of Regent has given her a broader perspective, especially regarding the issue of human trafficking. “In Oklahoma, it just wasn’t brought to our attention, or we weren’t in the right setting to be exposed to it.” Says Lan. “Regent has exposed us to new things. I definitely have a heart for the human trafficking and modern day slavery and being a part of that in whatever capacity God leads us.” Tim will be graduating from Regent Law a semester early. He plans to take the Bar exam in February and continue his work with the ACLJ. He will also know soon whether he’s been selected for the JAG corps. The Downings’ long term goal is to eventually go back to Oklahoma, but wherever the Lord leads them, their lives and outlook will never be the same after taking the step of faith to come to Regent Law.

Elizabeth Anderson '12

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

Second year law student Elizabeth Anderson has learned to “never say never”. Growing up, she vowed she would never become a lawyer because she did not like public speaking and could not see herself going to trial. But after her freshman year of college, Anderson took a summer job as a receptionist at a law firm where an attorney who specialized in estate planning took her under her wing. Eventually she switched her major concentration from exercise and sports science to sports administration and began preparing for law school.  Anderson had a similar “never say never” experience in her decision to come to Regent Law. “Regent wasn’t my top choice going in,” she says, “but something just kept telling me, ‘Go to Regent.’” One of the things that impressed her about Regent Law during the application process was the personal and persistent communication she received from students and faculty. “They really pursued me,” she says. “There are a lot of schools out there that feel like they don’t really have to pursue you. They think …’we don’t need to go after anybody, they’ll come to us.’ That was a real turn-off.  I just really liked the way [Regent Law] kept in contact.” Despite her reservations, Anderson came to Regent Law and quickly found her fears dispelled. “I turned down a pretty big scholarship offer to come here, and at first I was really nervous. I wasn’t sure it was going to be the place for me,” she says. “I ended up here and ended up loving it,” she says. Now, whenever I seem to say ‘no’ to something off the bat, that’s what I end up doing and what ends up being the best path for me. “ One of Anderson’s fears about Regent Law was whether or not the school’s Christian commitment was genuine. “There are plenty of schools out there that have a Christian label, but it doesn’t go any farther than that,” she explains. “So I was really impressed with the devotion before every class and the fact that professors take prayer requests and are willing to meet with you… I’m just really impressed that if you go to their office hours, you don’t just have to talk about school. You can tell them, ‘I’m going through this, will you pray with me or pray for me.’ I think that’s a really rare find.” She says, “Just having the professors they have here and knowing that they care about you not just academically but as a person, spiritually, really made me glad I chose to come here. I couldn’t imagine going through the rigors of 1L year at another school.”  When asked if she thinks Regent Law reflects well its motto “Law is not just a profession. It’s a calling,” Anderson remembers an experience she had in her Civil Procedure class. “We were talking about something, and [Professor Madison] said, ‘If you want to do what’s best for your client, you’ll do this. If you want to just rack up a lot of hours so you can bill more time, you’ll do this.’ I wondered, ‘are other schools telling their students this?’ Attorneys face the pressure to ‘bill, bill, bill,’ and a lot of times you are not always looking out for the best interest of the client. You’re forgetting that you are called to be an advocate for these people. I would like to think that that’s what I will do when I work with underprivileged children and put my degree to good use.” After law school, Anderson plans to return to her home state of North Carolina, and she feels well prepared for her legal calling. Anderson continues, “When you read reviews like ‘US News and World Report’ it’s always your typical, high-profile schools which stand out the most. Yet I kind of feel like Regent doesn’t get the credit it deserves.  I would strongly recommend the school to anyone considering law school.”  “I just really hope the word spreads more about Regent because I’ve been very thrilled with my experience,” says Anderson. And we are thrilled to have her here.

Allen Anjo '13

Alderson Broaddus College and Liberty University

Incoming 1L and native of India Allen Anjo sees his life as a series of God-given opportunities, the latest of which is the chance to pursue a joint degree in law and government at Regent University.  “It’s an opportunity that God has given me, and I feel that He is going to be able to put all my life experiences together into something that I can’t see at this point.” Anjo’s life experiences are unique.  He was born in Nagaland, an isolated state in the Himalayan Mountains of northeast India.  The Nagas were animistic headhunters before the arrival of Christian missionaries in the mid 1800s, a reality still very near to Anjo.  “My grandfather was a headhunter in his younger years,” says Anjo.  “He converted to Christianity, and my father was then born into a Christian family,” he says.  “My father is also the first high school and college graduate from our tribe.” Like his father, Anjo has also had educational opportunities.  After graduating from an American missionary boarding school in India, he came to the U.S.  “[God] opened up a door for me to come to college here with my whole tuition paid.  That’s not a very common thing, so I grabbed the opportunity,” he says.  In addition to earning a business science degree from Alderson Broaddus College in 2004, Anjo earned both an M.A. and an M.Div.  from Liberty Seminary in 2009 before coming to Regent Law. When asked why he chose Regent Law, Anjo says, “It came down to one thing – a Christian law school.  I knew I wanted to go to a law school that had Christian values because it’s no good being a lawyer and looking to do justice if you don’t have a foundational understanding of what real justice is,” he says.  “Let’s put it this way, ‘Law is not a profession.  It’s a calling,’ definitely resonates with me.  It is not a profession,” says Anjo.  “I’ve never wanted to be a lawyer.  I see my time in law school as not primarily about getting a law degree but fulfilling a God ordained process, a need within myself or somebody else by being here.”  Though it may not yet be clear how God will bring all of Anjo’s life experiences together, there are glimmers of possibility.  Anjo’s wife, an American lawyer from Kentucky whom he married in 2009, has helped him narrow his area of interest at Regent Law.   “At this point, we’re looking into international law, and specifically, human rights,” he says. On a trip to Burma several years ago, Anjo’s wife met the Karen people group who asked for her help in bringing them justice.  She pursued a legal degree with that in mind.  Anjo says, “At this point it’s hard for me to separate myself and what I want to do from what my wife wants to do because we both have this mission.  We will go back to Southeast Asia, whether to Nagaland or Burma or Thailand, we don’t know,” he says.  “It’s definitely our heart to go back and do something for the people, one way or another.” Another possibility for Anjo may be a joint project with his father who is the Executive Secretary of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council.  “We want to start a college or university back home in the same spirit as Regent… to have a school that embodies Christian values,” he says.  Regent Law welcomes Allen Anjo, and we look forward to seeing which opportunities he will pursue.

Jessica Pak '13

Patrick Henry College

First year Regent Law student Jessica Pak is passionate and purposeful about pursuing her legal education.  Pak became interested in law at age 14 when she participated in the American Legion Oratorical Contest as part of her homeschool curriculum.  The contest seeks to promote a deeper appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students by asking them to write and deliver speeches on the topic.  “In that process,” says Pak, “I started to realize how fascinated I was with the American system of government and the foundations of law.” It was partly because of her convictions about the foundations of law that Pak chose to study at Regent University School of Law.  Though she was accepted to eight schools including the University of Virginia, Pak turned down substantial scholarships in favor of Regent Law because of the Christian emphasis.  “Regent stands out as very unique,” she says.  “While there are a lot of great law schools, Regent shows a different worldview.  Whether or not it is acknowledged, law exists and law survives because there is a higher law.  Regent acknowledges that,” says Pak. In addition to the Christian emphasis, Pak chose Regent Law because of the strong academic program.  “The professors are extremely qualified,” she says.  “I’m confident that I’ll not only get very sound teaching, but also it’s going to be very rigorous and excellent academic standards,” she says. Pak is used to rigorous academics.  Her hard work at Patrick Henry College earned her opportunities to experience American government firsthand through internships with the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Department of Education.  As well as gaining government experience, Pak developed her deep and very personal passion for fighting discrimination.  Prior to coming to Regent Law, she worked for the Department of Justice in the Civil Rights Department where she helped enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by conducting on-sight, corporate compliance investigations.  “I got to work alongside people with some very serious disabilities, and I had a lot of exposure to very different people from all kinds of backgrounds,” she says.  “I got to see from their point of view the discrimination that they face and the stereotypes they confront, and it has strengthened my resolve all the more to fight discrimination and objectification.” To further achieve her life’s purpose of fighting discrimination, Pak plans to focus her legal studies on the areas of civil rights law, first amendment law, and international law. “I’m not confident about exactly what I’m going to be doing in life,” she says, “but I know that it will have to do with fighting discrimination and promoting the individuality of each person, and being a voice for those who have no voice.“  She says she would be happy to work for The Department of Justice in the Civil Rights section after law school.  We welcome Jessica Pak to Regent Law.

Christie McGinley '13

Messiah College

Open. Understated. Determined. Though you might not sense it upon first meeting her, Regent Law 1L Christie McGinley knows exactly what she wants. Underneath her quiet, friendly demeanor is a woman of strong convictions, especially when it comes to her legal studies. When deciding which law school to pursue, McGinley's Christian commitment made the choice an easy one: Regent Law or no law at all. "To be honest, Regent was the only place I applied. In my mind, it was either I go to law school here at Regent or go get a job," she says. Her "all or nothing" approach is even more impressive given her status as a top incoming member of the Class of 2013 with other options abounding. "I wanted to study law but I didn't want to do it from anything but a Christian perspective," she says. "I wanted to make sure I was getting the right foundation." While McGinley's Christian foundations were laid at home growing up in eastern Pennsylvania, she credits her college experience with transforming that faith into a more dependent relationship with God. "College is when my faith became less about just following the rules and more about wanting God to be in control, which is hard for someone like me who likes to have that control," she says. She's always found the law interesting, yet it's not the first profession that springs to mind as a good fit for McGinley, who describes herself as "not argumentative" and "not outspoken." Here's what led this amenable, non-competitive young woman to choose a career in law: meeting lawyers who integrated their Christian faith with professional excellence and integrity. Her college advisor, a lawyer who helped her complete a senior project on Christian liberties, was one such individual. "I had never heard of a lawyer so respected by everyone he knew, and I was blown away," she says. "It was amazing to see how he lived out his faith in his practice and I just thought to myself, 'Wow - that's something I want to be able to do.'" Now, at Regent, McGinley is learning what it means for her personally to live out her faith as a law student and future lawyer. There is no road map, but there are hints of strong resolve. When asked, for instance, what cause she is most passionate about, McGinley takes a long, thoughtful pause and in her understated way says, "My causes have always been on a smaller scale. I'm not a traveler; I'm not someone who's going to move all over the world. I was very inspired by my mom who seems to make her life about just getting to know people, and I know she's brought a lot of people to Christ that way. And I think that's an amazing testimony to have." Holding firmly to her Christian foundations, McGinley remains open about her future legal calling. "I'm trying to just let God tell me where to go." We are excited to see where He leads her.

Joshua Fan '12

Boston College

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. “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.

Ryan Haan '12

Dordt College

While it’s true that Ryan Haan and his wife enjoy Regent’s beach location, it was the school’s emphasis on academic rigor, spiritual integrity and legal advocacy skills that led him to choose Regent Law. “As I considered law schools, I understood that if I wanted to have any legal success I would need strong academic and ethical foundations,” he says. “I knew that without these core skills, I would not be able to maintain my professional integrity.” After one year of legal studies, Regent’s academic excellence and supportive spiritual community have confirmed his belief in the integration of faith and law. Haan appreciates the lengths Regent students go to help one another succeed, and he believes that studying the law in a supportive community increases the amount of positive change he and his classmates will be able to affect over the course of their careers. “Classmates make it a point to help one another,” he says. “And our professors are genuinely interested in helping us master course content. Future clients are depending upon all of us to know the material, and Regent’s academic community ensures we will not let them down.”

Tristen Cramer '12

Cornell University

Tristen Cramer loves a good challenge. She got one at Cornell, but didn't want to stop there. “I was looking for two characteristics in a law school: academic rigor and community,” she said. “I really felt that Regent was the only university that fully had those two qualities.” “I asked myself why I wanted to go to law school, and which law school would make me the best lawyer for the job,” she says. “With the ACLJ upstairs and Regent’s Christian foundations, the more I looked at it the more it was clear this was the place for me. Being here as confirmed it so much. I can’t imagine going anywhere else for law school.”

Tracy Hasse '12

Air Force Academy

Air Force officer, navy spouse, high school teacher, church administrator. Lawyer. After several exciting careers, 1L Tracy Hasse is enjoying a long-awaited legal dream. “When I discovered Regent, my spirit soared, and I knew God had blessed me beyond what I could have asked for or imagined,” she said. “He used the amazing people at Regent to confirm that He had a place for me here.” Hasse has a heart for at-risk youth and tutors at a local juvenile detention center. What she observes both troubles and inspires her.“I see young people in detention seemingly unaware that there’s a whole world outside open to them” she says. “I don’t just want to apply band-aids to the problem, though. I’m inspired to launch an all-out assault.” After graduating Regent, Hasse hopes to lay the foundation for a future family law and child advocacy practice providing legal services to low income families. “So far I have loved every minute of law school at Regent” she says. “Time and again the faculty do what's in our best interest to help us become the most effective lawyers and Christian leaders we are called to be.”

Seth Doherty'10

Northeastern University

From the time he was eight years old, 3L Seth Doherty pictured himself in the courtroom. “In the 3rd grade, I became hooked on John Grisham books portraying bold trial lawyers,” laughs Doherty. “I didn't understand all that I read back then, but I knew enough to know that I wanted to be like Mitch McDeere from The Firm.” At Northeastern University Doherty majored in criminal justice as a first step toward his goal, but while he was there the dream of being a trial lawyer started to fade.  “I was part of a group that would speak to high school students about jail, the criminal process, and sentencing,” Doherty explains. “The reality of the justice system was too much for me. I felt helpless against the intensity that faced real criminals and I started to think about pursuing property and zoning law instead.” With this new goal in mind Doherty came to Regent Law.  “Regent was the real deal to me. Once you see the campus and meet a professor, the decision is easy,” said Doherty of why he enrolled here. “And after three years, I have no doubt Regent was the best choice.” But it’s not because Doherty is positioned to be the next great land use lawyer that he’s certain Regent was the best place for him. Instead, somewhere along the way, his dream of being a trial lawyer was resurrected. Doherty happily explains, “Regent gave me the tools I need to be that bold trial lawyer and face the intensity of the system. I’m sure now that it’s my calling to be a trial lawyer.” Doherty credits Regent’s excellent faculty and Career Services office for focusing him on his original dream. “They put me where I want to be on my career path,” he said. “The professors, who could teach at any top law school, trained me well. Additionally, career services worked so hard to get me into the right internships that would give me the experience I need to be a great criminal lawyer.”Just last week, three months before graduation, Doherty saw the first fruits of his dream realized. As an intern at the Chesapeake Public Defender’s office under his third year practice certificate, he was victorious in a motion to dismiss a petit larceny charge against his client. “Hearing from the judge, ‘Congratulations, Mr. Doherty, you just won your first case,’” reflects Doherty, “sent a rush of realization that this was the culmination of everything I had been working toward.”

Shiann Ashenbrenner '12

Oregon State University

First year law student Shiann Ashenbrenner grew up in an agriculture community in Oregon where she was involved in 4H and became familiar with the specialized needs of farmers.  “The Pacific Northwest is full of environmental policy lawyers and activists,” laughs Ashenbrenner. She points out that while they mean well, she noticed a gap between environmentalists and the agricultural community. “Both the agriculturalists and environmentalists try to build sustainability,” said Ashenbrenner. “There are good intentions on both sides, but when results aren’t seen as quickly as some would like tension builds and legal battles begin.” Being conscious of this gap, Ashenbrenner majored in Environmental Economics Policy and Management at Oregon State University. After two summers interning in the Benton County Courthouse, she realized that the best way to effect environmental change was to become a lawyer. After months of agonizing over the decision of which law school would best suit her goals, Ashenbrenner grew frustrated by the lack of excitement she felt for any program in the Pacific  Northwest. One day, a local attorney she respected shared that he had gone to a small school in Virginia. “Regent was the first application that I was really excited about,” said Ashenbrenner. “Within two days I had my application filled out, and it all just fell into place.” While Regent isn’t yet an Environmental Law powerhouse, Ashenbrenner notes that Regent’s core curriculum strengths will prepare her well for the field. “Sure the schools in Oregon would have offered me hours and hours of Environmental Law classes,” she said. “But at Regent, I get excellent instruction at the core of my studies that doesn’t compare to what I perceive at the other schools.” “At Regent,” she adds, “we have the same rigorous studies and challenging curriculum as those at other law schools. Our burden here, however, is made lighter because we help and encourage each other.” Ashenbrenner senses that the gap between the agricultural community and the environmentalists must be filled with ethical policies, not just ones that meet the needs of the moment or hide the real result – which is often to encumber struggling farmers. “Lawyers need ethics,” she says. “When you have Christian principles built into the substantive courses it makes you better at every part of your practice; it makes you able to perceive the ethical end of every policy for which you’re lobbying so that the change you make is sustainable.”

Lindsay Jonker '11

University of California

After two years on campus, law student Lindsay Jonker doesn’t hesitate when asked what Regent has to offer.  “Come to Regent if you are hungry for a fusion of spiritual and academic components, for an educational system that integrates Biblical truth and law, and for an environment that encourages scholarship and relationship,” she says. The impetus behind her own choice to enroll at Regent isn’t as easy for her to articulate, however. “To this day, I cannot quite describe what even brought me to apply. Having been born and raised on the West Coast, I hadn't heard of the school. Then, out of nowhere, I found myself applying, being accepted, and boarding a plane to visit Regent.” As many Regent students report, Jonker just “knew” Regent was the school for her when she visited. As she spoke with professors, she felt a peace that corroborated what she had been learning in her then full-time career. Although she had originally pursued law as a profession in order to become a judge and right society's wrongs from the top down, her job as a legal assistant at a small general practice law firm was showing her a different way to promote justice.“The attorneys at the firm demonstrated an authentic love for their clients and pursued justice with conviction and humility,” she recalled. “By purposing to glorify God in their everyday practice, they were bringing reform to the law – from the bottom to the top.”A desire to love mercy and demonstrate redemption in an adversarial system grew in Jonker. She discovered that Regent’s approach to the legal profession harmonized with these desires. Today, the stimulating conversation at Regent Law challenges Jonker to ponder her opinions and to evaluate them against what God has revealed. In light of the relativism that holds sway at other academic institutions, she says she is refreshed by the academic community’s continual exhortation to uphold truth. As a member of the Law Review, a mentor to many first year students, and a Blackstone Fellow, she craves Regent’s academic rigor and sense of community and cannot imagine a better place to learn the practice of law. Jonker says the vision she once had of herself as a judge taking up the gauntlet to bring reform has been forever altered. Yet, echoing Regent Law’s motto, Jonker is convinced that she can change the world. In her own words: “As long as He has called me, my practice of law will be significant.”

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