Regent Law Celebrates Remarkable Advocacy Season with Multiple National Competition Wins

April 9, 2026

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (April 9, 2026) — Regent University School of Law students secured multiple national advocacy competition victories this spring, underscoring the continued strength and national competitiveness of Regent Law’s advocacy programs.

Regent Law’s Moot Court Board won the John J. Gibbons Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition at Seton Hall University for the second consecutive year. The winning team included Elie El-Habr (3L), Sarah MacKay (2L), and Diana McBride Bloomquist (3L), who served as brief writer. In a 40-team field with more than 80 oral advocates, they emerged as the No.1 seed before advancing through four elimination rounds to win the championship. El-Habr earned Best Oralist Overall and Best Oralist in the Championship Round, while MacKay earned Second Best Oralist Overall. The team also received Second Best Petitioner Brief.

Regent Law Students Elie El-Habr (left), Sarah MacKay (middle), and Diana McBride Bloomquist (right), winners of the John J. Gibbons Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition.

“This team was an amazing representative of the Lord, the School of Law, and our Moot Court Board,” said Professor Michael V. Hernandez, the Faculty Advisor to the Moot Court Board, reflecting on the moot court program’s performance this season. “They encountered obstacles — including sickness that they prayed and persevered through. They trusted the Lord, supported one another, stayed composed, and competed with determination. Seeing their hard work and determination consistently culminate in a championship at a national competition was truly remarkable.”

Regent Law added another championship at the Touro Law & Religion Moot Court Competition in Long Island, New York. Philip White (3L) and Seth Brooks (3L), assisted on brief by Dylan Mahoney (3L), defeated teams from Brooklyn Law School, Marquette University, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Boston College Law School, and New York University School of Law to claim the championship. White also earned Second Best Oralist, and the team received Third Best Brief.

Regent Law’s Trial Advocacy team also won the National Military Trial Competition in Syracuse, New York, defeating Syracuse University in the semifinals and the defending champions from the University of Missouri–Kansas City in the final round. The team included Jessica Overbay (3L), Amber Walliser (3L), Ryan Richardson (3L), Meredith Beck (2L), and Christian Betz (2L). Amber Walliser and Jessica Overbay tied for Best Closing Argument in the preliminary rounds.

Regent Law Trial Advocacy Team, winners of the National Military Trial Competition.

Professor Dave Velloney coached the team with support from Professors Singer and Hutchens.

“I am incredibly proud of this team,” Velloney said. “They were enthusiastic, well-prepared, and unflappable in every round. To watch them break through in this way was deeply gratifying, not only because they won, but because they represented the Lord and Regent Law so well.”

“This season reflects the kind of growth we are seeing across Regent Law,” said S. Ernie Walton, Dean of Regent University School of Law. “We are grateful for our students, faculty, and alumni who pour themselves into this work, and we thank God for the opportunities He continues to provide. These wins are cause for celebration, but even more admirable is our students’ formation into advocates who seek to honor Christ and pursue excellence with humility and skill.”

Regent Law has also expanded its already strong emphasis on advocacy training with the newly established Singer Center for Advocacy. The Center is designed to support Regent Law’s moot court, trial advocacy, and alternative dispute resolution teams while increasing opportunities for students to develop practical courtroom and litigation skills.

These victories build on Regent Law’s earlier win this year at the top-16 invitational Hicks Thomas National Moot Court Championship and contribute to one of the most successful advocacy seasons in the law school’s history.

About Regent Law

Regent Law equips students to serve as purpose-driven, practice-ready attorneys grounded in timeless legal principles. More than 3,800 alumni practice in all 50 states and over 20 countries, including 38 currently serving as judges. In 2026, Regent ranked No. 91 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report — the fastest-rising law school in the nation from 2021 to 2026. Regent Law also achieved the highest first-time bar passage rate in Virginia on the 2024 exam and ranked 39th in the nation for first-time bar passage overall. Additional honors include a tie for second in the nation for professor accessibility and ninth for teaching quality according to Princeton Review. It offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in three-year and part-time formats, an online M.A. in Law, an online M.A. in Financial Planning & Law, an on-campus and online LL.M. in Human Rights, an on-campus and online LL.M. in American Legal Studies, and an online B.A. in Law.

About Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is America’s premier Christian university, with nearly 14,000 students studying on its 100-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online worldwide. The university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than 150 areas of study, including business, communication and the arts, counseling, cybersecurity, divinity, education, government, law, leadership, nursing, healthcare, and psychology. Regent University has been ranked the No. 1 Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Virginia for 14 years in a row (U.S. News & World Report, 2026) and the No.1 Best Christian College in America (Bible College Online, 2025).

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