California Suit Challenging Domestic Partnership Law

October 7, 2003

Mathew D. Staver

There is good news to report on our case challenging the California domestic partner law. A couple of weeks ago, we filed suit on behalf of several California residents seeking a court order declaring AB 205 invalid, which was signed into law by Governor Davis on September 19, 2003. AB 205 is a direct assault on tradition marriage because it grants to domestic partners in California the same rights as are available to spouses. In other words, it's marriage by another name. The California voters, however, just three years ago, voted at the polls in favor of Proposition 22 -- a law stating that a marriage in California is valid only when entered into between a man and a woman. By passing AB 205, the legislature and Governor nullifies the vote of the 4.5 million Californians that passed Proposition 22. We went to court yesterday asking the court to set a date for our motion preventing the state from implementing AB 205 until a final decision is reached in this case. The judge granted our application and set a hearing date for November 12.

EXCITING FUTURE FOR LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

Anita and I are in Lynchburg, Virginia for the Liberty University Board of Trustees meeting. As a Trustee, I serve as the Chairman of the Law School Steering Committee. The enthusiasm here on campus is electric. Dr. Jerry Falwell stated today during the Trustees' meeting that the two most important events in the history of Liberty University are the founding of the school in 1971 and the opening of the Law School. He is as excited about the Law School as he was when he founded this great institution.

The growth of the University is phenomenal. The enrollment is exploding, and the quality of the student body, both spiritually and academically, is impressive. The average SAT score is 1004 and the average GPA for entering students is 3.12. Out of a perfect SAT score of 1600, some entering freshmen have scored in the 1500s and one scored a 1590!

The explosive growth of the University is evident in the construction. Every time I come here there is a new building. The new dorms under construction have two students per 1,200 square feet of space, with each dorm having its own dishwasher and washer and dryer. Between now and the Fall of 2004, 19 three story dorms will be constructed!

The Law School is also off to a great start. The plans for the build out in the new facilities are underway. The school will occupy 120,000 square feet within the former Ericsson executive building which was constructed in the mid-1990s. We have received 149 faculty applications for the initial six faculty positions. We soon will begin looking at the second year faculty. Some of our professors are already here and busy at work on the school. Student recruiting has just begun, and we have already sent offers to some students who have finished their application and passed through the admissions process. I met one student yesterday from California who completed three years of college, but when he learned of the Law School, he transferred to Liberty to finish his senior year here and he will apply to the Law School, which begins its first class in August 2004.

The mission of the Law School is to renew the American legal culture. Dean Bruce Green has been doing an incredible job laying the ground floor of the school. He just completed a Viewbook which sets forth the basis philosophy of the school. The message and graphics are second to none. Dean Green has started a daily Blog (computer talk for web log), which sets for the general framework and Christian philosophy of the school of law, and also addresses such practical issues as preparing for law school and developing a Christian worldview. I encourage you to follow the blog. You can reach the Law School website by either going to http://www.lc.org or http://www.law.liberty.edu. If you are interested in being part of the entering class in August 2004, visit the website or call (434) 582-2800.

In the near future, I will be announcing some exciting new developments about Liberty Counsel and Liberty University School of Law.

Mathew D. Staver, Esq.
Liberty Counsel
http://www.lc.org.

An Ally of the Alliance Defense Fund