Regent University School of Law Alumnus Completes 2016 James Wilson Fellowship

This summer, Regent University School of Law alumnus, Nicholas Lee ’14 was selected to receive the prestigious James Wilson Fellowship, based at the James Wilson Institute in Washington, D.C.

From July 31-August 5, Lee joined a class of 15 other legal professionals and students for the fellowship’s seminar on natural law and its “bearing on current law,” an aspect of the highly-competitive fellowship that prompted Lee to apply.

“That’s what drew me to law to begin with, it was that passion for justice and wanting to help people, more than just at a surface-level, but with things that really affect their lives,” said Lee.

Each day, Lee and his cohorts would gather in a boardroom together and listen to lectures on topics such as the natural law and the founding documents of the United States.

Apart from meeting his class of distinguished peers, Lee is hopeful that the fellowship will prepare him for his future as a civil litigator.

“It will give me greater insight going into different cases and the law, and when I make arguments in front of other attorneys, judges and juries,” said Lee. “I’ll be able to articulate and appeal to those basic things that everyone should know.”

Lee, who is coming off of a federal clerkship, will begin his new job as a civil litigator at a private firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, and plans to work on cases dealing with white collar criminal defense, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights.

His passion for justice and wanting to help others was what initially attracted him to the pursuit of law. Lee explained that while Regent gave him great insight into the practical practice of law – how to write a brief, how to craft an argument – he said it was the Christian worldview in the classroom that set his education apart.

“[Regent] was the perfect place for me,” said Lee. “I got a first-class education from outstanding professors who really cared about my success and wanted me to succeed.”

Lee explained that even his clerkship came about in part because of a recommendation from one of his professors, an aspect of his education he doesn’t take for granted. And to those who are currently in the midst of law school, he gives a word of advice:

“Work your hardest and do the very best you can at the work God has set before you,” said Lee. “If you do that, the doors will open for you.”

Learn more about Regent University School of Law.