Trinity Law School

Almost two years ago, the Trinity community lost our dear colleague and friend, Professor Craig Hawkins. Professor Hawkins taught at Trinity for many years, and was a regular fixture of academic life both on and off campus. His courses included Jurisprudence, Legal Institutions and Values, Human Rights, and many others. In particular, he created and taught our course on the prevention of human trafficking in Cambodia.

He was also involved in numerous ministries, including founder of the Apologetics Information Ministry, and host of many radio programs focused on apologetics, biblical teaching, and faith & culture.

His work—and more so, his faith, lived out loud for all to witness—has fundamentally shaped this school, and hundreds of students along the way. It is with deepest gratitude and honor that the Board of Regents of Trinity International University awards Professor Hawkins the Degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa.

The Center for Public Legal Theology officially launches its website!

The Center’s mission integrates theology and law to advance human flourishing within the principles of ordered liberty.

Led by Professor Ventrella, this new website will promote scholarship, training, and engagement to ground legal initiatives, advocacy, and policy in foundational theological principles.

Each month, the website features an essay that probes, and perhaps provokes, conversations that apply timeless theological truths to contemporary legal and cultural matters all from a public legal theological perspective.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE:
Monthly Essays and Commentary
Center News and Announcements
Events and Speaking Opportunities
New Resources and Publications

tls.edu/public-legal-theology

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."
—Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19

"Without robust and consistent protection, the right to freedom of expression may become meaningless, instead of providing effective legal protection—across the frontiers of national sovereignty, enforced orthodoxy, cultural dynamism, and new technology—for those who might otherwise be targeted for exercising that right."
—Professor Andrew DeLoach, Director of the Center for Human Rights, recently gave a lecture for the Rene Cassin Foundation's International Institute for Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France, on the "New Frontiers of Freedom of Expression"

Congratulations Trinity Law School Class of 2026!

Natural Law, though long neglected, is enjoying a refreshing renaissance - But does it work? Does it work in the American constitutional system? Should it do so? If so, how? In his article published in the latest edition of The Journal of Christian Legal Thought, Professor and Director of the Center for Public Legal Theology, Dr. Jeffery Ventrella explores the use, as opposed to the theory, of natural law at the "retail level."
https://christianlegalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CLSJournal_2026_Spring-final-web.pdf

On this day 250 years ago, the Continental Congress recommended observance of a day of “Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer,” urging the colonists to gratefully acknowledge “God’s superintending providence” and reminding them of their duty “devoutly to rely in all their lawful enterprises on his aid and direction.” For nearly 2,000 years, Christians have prayed in thanksgiving for God’s mercy and provision, earnestly pleading for good and peaceful earthly order.

At Trinity Law School, this tradition of prayer is an enduring part of the formation of virtuous attorneys for the common good and love of neighbor.

We are so proud of our Alum A.J. Bayne! After graduating in 1994, A.J. worked as a deputy public defender. He is currently running for Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles County - Office 87 and recently received the L.A. County Bar Association's highest rating. Good luck, A.J.!

Trinity Law School Professor, Adeline Allen, discusses romance and courtship in the plays of Shakespeare and how we can use those stories as a roadmap for dating today.

To read the full article....
https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2026/04/100803/

Adjunct professor and attorney Trevor Roberts took a group of Trinity Law students to the Superior Court of Orange County last month. During their visit, they spent four hours observing civil and criminal hearings and trails. They also met with Judge Paer who has served at the courthouse for over 25 years, presiding over some of Orange County's biggest murder trials. The trip gave students an exclusive look at how courtrooms function in the real world and what it means to be a trial attorney.

TLS adjunct professor and alum, Tiffany Poncy, was just appointed to serve as a Judge in the Orange County Superior Court by Governor Gavin Newsom.

We are so proud of Judge Poncy!