Singer Center for Advocacy
Randy Singer has spent three decades as part of the Regent Law community, serving on the Board of Visitors, teaching as an adjunct, and, recently, coaching advocacy teams. He has also dedicated his life to advocacy — trying high-profile cases and serving as the Teaching Pastor at one of the top 100 fastest-growing churches in the country. Advocacy is in his blood.
In 2025, Randy was diagnosed with Stage 4 esophageal cancer, a terminal diagnosis with an average life expectancy of eight to 12 months. Even before the diagnosis, Randy had been dreaming about being part of a center for advocacy at Regent. When the diagnosis hit, he shared that vision with Pamela Hutchens, a former Virginia Beach prosecutor and judge with 31 years of public service experience, who agreed to help launch and lead the center as Co-Director. The Singer Center for Advocacy started its work in 2025 and moved into a dedicated School of Law space on Regent’s campus in the fall of 2026.
Our Mission
The Singer Center for Advocacy exists to develop Christian lawyers who are committed to excellence in advocacy, the principled pursuit of justice, and being a powerful voice for the most vulnerable.
We want to produce advocates who will practice with the highest degree of excellence and ethics. We believe that advocacy is a sacred calling with a powerful impact that leaves a lasting legacy.
The center rests on three driving principles:
Advocacy Is a Sacred Calling
It is a profound trust to stand in another person’s place, give voice to their needs, and seek justice on their behalf. Advocates serve real people, seek truth, and carry the weight of their cause. The work demands the highest ethical standards and deep personal commitment.
Powerful Advocates Change the World
The goal of the center is to train advocates who are so committed to each cause and client that the results will be world changing for that person. The center will emphasize traditional public service (such as prosecution and public defense), while also exposing students to developing areas of the law, such as the representation of terrorism victims. It will train appellate advocates who will shape the future of our culture and society. No matter the cause or client, the focus will stay the same. The advocate plays a special role in the life of each client. Handled with excellence, that role can be life changing.
Regent Law Is a Natural Home for Advocacy Training
Regent Law has built a strong ecosystem for advocacy through its moot court and trial programs, robust faculty mentorship, and a Christ-centered mission that frames advocacy as service. The Singer Center aims to strengthen this foundation and position Regent Law to train advocates at the highest level.
Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Teams
The center provides leadership, coaching support, and resources for Regent Law’s nationally recognized moot court and trial advocacy teams, preparing students for regional and national competition at the highest levels.
Advanced Coursework
The center provides advanced instruction in trial and appellate practice, supplementing Regent’s traditionally strong advocacy curriculum and core courses.
Externships and Real-Case Experience
Students can earn academic credit while working on active cases through a formal partnership with Singer Hoffman, the Virginia Beach firm founded by Randy Singer. This partnership includes work representing victims of international terrorism, a first-of-its-kind partnership. The center also aims to provide opportunities for other externships so that students gain exposure to the moral, professional, procedural, and financial realities of practicing law in a variety of settings.
Third-Year Practice Opportunities
Students who obtain third-year practice certificates gain on-the-job experience practicing law in Virginia under the supervision of licensed attorneys, building courtroom confidence before graduation.
Mentorship and Formation
Experienced advocates mentor students through the center, integrating faith, ethics, and professional excellence into every aspect of advocacy training.
Public Service and Scholarships
Under the leadership of former Judge and Prosecutor Pamela Hutchens, the center supports students pursuing public service work through scholarships and dedicated programming. A scholarship in Judge Hutchens’ name will be part of the Center’s offerings.
Randy Singer graduated second in his class from William & Mary Law School in 1986 and has practiced law for nearly 40 years. He founded the Singer Legal Group (now Singer Hoffman) in Virginia Beach in 2009. Since its inception, Singer Hoffman has obtained more than $3 billion in judgments against the Islamic Republic of Iran and those who finance terrorist groups, achieved a judgment of more than $800 million against Venezuelan drug cartels, and represented more than 200 clients in cases against countries, banks, and companies that fund or facilitate terrorism.
Mr. Singer has served Regent University for more than 30 years as Senior Lecturing Fellow, Chairman of the Board of Visitors, Adjunct Faculty Member, Attorney in Residence, and Director of the Singer Civil Litigation Practicum. He is a bestselling and award-winning author of 16 books, including The Advocate, which was named Best Christian Novel in 2015 by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He also serves as Teaching Pastor at Trinity Church, named one of America’s 100 fastest-growing churches multiple times. Read Full Bio
The Honorable Pamela Hutchens, a native Virginian, graduated from Duke University and Pepperdine University School of Law, where she discovered her calling to advocacy during a 3L internship with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She has dedicated her professional life to public service in the Commonwealth of Virginia, beginning as an Assistant and then Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia Beach. During her 13 years as a prosecutor, she gained extensive jury trial experience while handling high-profile cases, including those involving career criminals deemed as heightened threats. She moved to the judiciary upon her appointment as a Judge of the General District Court of Virginia Beach, where she presided for 18 years.
Over the last several years, Judge Hutchens has taught Jury Strategies at William & Mary Law School after developing this unique course, which incorporates both the law and the science of psychological considerations in jury trials. Additionally, she has decades of teaching experience with various law enforcement and professional organizations, including as a faculty member of the 2026 National Trial Advocacy College.
As Co-Director of The Singer Center, Judge Hutchens teaches Trial Practice and Advanced Trial Practice, coaches mock trial competition teams, and leads the center’s public service initiative. She has established a scholarship for third-year law students pursuing public service careers.
Professor Michael Hernandez joined the Regent Law faculty in 1992 and has taught Appellate Advocacy, Advanced Appellate Advocacy, Foundations of Law, International Human Rights, Property, and Race & the Law. He has directed Regent Law’s Moot Court Board since 1993, guiding teams to multiple national championships. He previously served as Dean of Regent Law (2015-2019) and, in 2017, became the first Regent Law faculty member appointed to the Board of Governors of the Virginia Bar Association, representing law schools statewide.
Prior to teaching, Professor Hernandez practiced law in the areas of products liability litigation at McGuire Woods and environmental litigation at McSweeney, Burtch & Crump, both law firms in Richmond, Virginia. He has served as a consultant for attorneys litigating cases in state and federal court, including before the United States Supreme Court. He will continue to direct Regent’s nationally recognized moot court program. Read full bio
Regent Law’s advocacy programs have already produced more than 90 national and regional championships, best brief awards, and best oralist honors. The Singer Center gives these programs a permanent institutional home and the resources to grow.
Recent Results:
- 2026 Hicks Thomas Moot Court National Championship: First Place
- 2026 William B. Spong Jr. Moot Court Tournament: First Place
- 2026 John J. Gibbons Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition: First Place
- 2026 Touro Law & Religion Moot Court Competition: First Place (Second Consecutive Year)
- 2026 National Military Trial Competition: First Place
View all competition results: regent.edu/lawawards
The center’s home is located in a dedicated advocacy space under development on Regent’s campus, a project advanced by a December 2025 fundraising dinner that drew more than 375 guests and raised nearly $1.3 million. A growing community of donors and partners continues to support the center’s mission.
Fall 2026 will bring the Singer Center’s official opening, along with the launch of expanded advocacy programming, increased student participation and mentorship engagement, and long-term growth of scholarships and advocacy initiatives.
Support the Singer Center for Advocacy
The Singer Center for Advocacy is pursuing a $2.5 million fundraising goal to establish and endow a premier center for advocacy training at Regent Law, supporting facilities, programming, mentorship, and student formation for years to come.
“When you give to Regent University and the Singer Center for Advocacy,” Singer says, “you’re giving to students who are going to use their advocacy to serve others and change the world.”
Giving Opportunities
You can support the Singer Center for Advocacy through giving opportunities, gift matching, and tribute gifts. Your generosity ensures the continued growth and impact of the center’s mission.
Give Online:
Secure gifts may be made through Regent University’s giving portal.
Give by Check:
Checks may be made payable to Regent University. Please note “Singer Center for Advocacy” in the memo line. Mail to: Regent University Office of Advancement, ADM 128, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.
For information about additional giving options, including donor-advised funds or other gifts, please contact Preston Braswell, Assistant Dean of Advancement and Enrollment, at 757.352.4640 or pbraswell@regent.edu.