Incoming Liberty Law students pledge duty to legal profession during special ceremony

On Monday, approximately 110 Liberty University School of Law first-year students, representing about 25 states, took a pledge to uphold the responsibilities of being a legal professional during Liberty Law’s annual Professionalism Ceremony. The event was held in the law school’s Supreme Courtroom, where Liberty Law faculty and administration exhorted the students to glorify God as they embark on their legal education.

Susan Patrick, associate dean for admissions and financial aid, welcomed the students and told them that they are starting a journey that will prepare them to serve their future clients well, and that through this process, their fellow classmates would become some of their most treasured friends and colleagues.

Patrick introduced Rodney Chrisman, Liberty Law’s vice dean for academic affairs and faculty development, who gave the invocation and read from Isaiah 42:1-2.

“This passage describes a part of Jesus’ mission that we often don’t hear focused on very much and that is bringing justice to the earth,” Chrisman said. “I think that’s a particularly fitting way to start your journey into law school and into the legal profession—a profession that really ought to be concerned about justice. We’re ministers of justice.”

Chrisman welcomed Professor Scott Thompson, a founding faculty member of Liberty Law, to the podium to lead them in Liberty’s Professionalism Pledge.

“Twenty years ago, this room did not exist. But, on Aug. 10, 2004, we opened the doors to this building to 60 pioneering law students, who came to an unaccredited law school to pursue their dreams and callings,” Thompson said. “To date, we have seen 1,171 students complete this program. And when you graduate, you will join nearly 1,500 graduates of Liberty University School of Law. It’s an honor for me to lead you in this professionalism pledge, a pledge that addresses your professional responsibilities, such as integrity, honesty, courtesy, and respect.”

As their loved ones watched, the first-year students stood and recited the pledge, committing to uphold the high ideals of the legal profession and promising to carry out their responsibilities with dignity, staying true to the values of the Liberty University School of Law.

In his remarks, Interim Dean Timothy Todd, a graduate of Liberty Law, explained that the faculty are eager to pour into the students and to mentor them.

“I’m sure that you, like I, will learn from them in the good times and on the mountaintops,” he said. “But quite frankly, I’ve learned more from them in the valleys of sorrow and heartache. I’m sure they will bless you greatly if you let them.”

Todd further explained the two goals for Liberty Law. The first and foremost goal is to grow each student’s relationship with God. The second goal is to train excellent lawyers.

Todd spoke on what it means to exude professionalism. While he gave many examples — including being competent, ethical, and collegial — he noted it starts with “glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.”

Todd also highlighted some of the accomplishments that Liberty Law has made recently as it celebrates 20 years of Training Champions for Christ this year, including celebrating Liberty Law’s first alumnus to argue before the United States Supreme Court last spring.

“He literally went from this room, this very podium, to the highest court in the land,” Todd said.

Before Associate Dean for Administration and Student Development David Miller closed with a benediction, Todd encouraged the students to remember that they are here for a reason.

“In the 20 years of Liberty Law, there are countless successes, blessings, and victories from our community . . .  Remember that God has a plan for your life . . . He has brought you here to train you for ministry, using your legal skills and talents to minister to people in unique ways that only lawyers can,” Todd said. “Loving God, loving others. Serving God, serving others. Now that is the mark of a true professional. That journey starts today . . . Welcome to Liberty University School of Law.”

The following morning, Liberty Law hosted a special convocation for the first-year students in which Liberty President Dr. Dondi Costin shared an inspiring message from Psalm 46.