My law school, Regent University School of Law, flew 
me to Virginia last weekend to participate in a panel on technology and its impact on the practice of law. Also at the symposium and on a different panel was a fellow class of ‘99 graduate and law review alumnus Shawn Tuma, who presented on various high tech security issues. Although the information shared by the panelists was terrific, the most memorable part for me was reconnecting with my friend and seeing the campus after almost 18 years.
I love Regent. The school’s mantra, Christian Leadership to Change the World, is what compelled me to attend law school so far away from home—that and the potential opportunity to clerk with the ACLJ, which happened. While many secular law schools are struggling to maintain enrollment and are sacrificing quality of students and with that bar passage rates to stay afloat, Regent has refused to sacrifice its standards just for money. Yet, last year Regent admitted 70 new students, this year more than 90, and its Virginia Bar passage rate exceeds 80 percent in one of the nation’s toughest jurisdictions. It’s gradually increasing enrollment while other schools are still struggling.
I met several law review members. Suffice to say they are brilliant and I’m proud to call them future Regent alumnus. Thanks to Hannah Hempstead for her work putting the symposium together. What an amazing time of spiritual rejuvenation. Getting back to Regent reminded me why I went to law school in the first place. The Law is a calling, and I’m blessed to serve as a Christian lawyer and now judge.
Paid for by the Committee to re-elect Judge Kevin Mark Smith 