Regent University Professor Elected to Virginia Bar Association Pro Bono Council

This January, the Virginia Bar Association (VBA) announced the election of Regent University School of Law professor, Michael Hernandez, into the Inaugural Pro Bono Council.

The council will advance its efforts to provide voluntary legal aid to those in the Commonwealth of Virginia who are unable to afford it.

“A lot of times lawyers will agree to take a certain number of cases where they don’t charge for it,” said Hernandez. “You’re essentially donating your time.”

Among the council, Hernandez is the only representative who is a professor of law. As a result, he intends to concentrate his efforts as a member of the council to gain broader student participation in pro-bono work.

“I’ll be more intentional about it,” said Hernandez. “Mainly, I’ll encourage third-year law students to get their practicing certificate and do some of it themselves.”

Hernandez explained that Christ’s mission to “care for the least of these” applies to protecting less-fortunate citizens in the court of law.

“That’s essential for a Christian institution when it comes to serving Jesus,” said Hernandez. “If we have the ability to assist them, we need to use that ability to further the common good.”

In the future, Hernandez hopes to see his students become even more service-oriented when it comes to sharing their abilities and resources.

“It’s a classic win-win scenario: Students will get experience by aiding the community,” said Hernandez. “But they’ll also have the general blessing of serving others, too.”

Learn more about Regent University’s School of Law.