Robert Hurt, Dean

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Dean, Helms School of Government

govtdean@liberty.edu
Green Hall, Room 1661J

Education

J.D., Mississippi College School of Law
B.A., English, Hampden-Sydney College

Biography

Robert Hurt served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Virginia’s Fifth District in Washington for three terms from 2011–2017. After stepping down from Congress in January 2017, Hurt came to Liberty University as Vice-President and founding Director of Liberty’s Center for Law & Government, where he has developed numerous programs that have provided students with exceptional opportunities to engage with influential leaders from the nation’s capital and across the country. These programs have included the production of a series of successful televised statewide political debates. In fall 2019, Hurt was asked to serve as Dean for the Helms School of Government.

While in Congress, Hurt was appointed to the Financial Services Committee where he served as the Vice-Chair of the Capital Markets Subcommittee and the Vice-Chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee.

Prior to representing Virginia’s Fifth District, Hurt worked as a lawyer and served as a citizen-legislator from Southside Virginia. Hurt brings a wealth of practical legal, governing, and leadership experience, including three years in the Virginia Senate, six years in the Virginia House of Delegates, and a term in local government. During his 16 years in public office, Hurt demonstrated an abiding commitment to the Constitution and was always a strong voice for a common-sense policy designed to make it easier for Virginia families, farmers, and small businesses to be free and successful.

Prior to his election to Congress, Hurt served as Chief Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Pittsylvania County and then went on to build a successful private law practice in Southside Virginia.

Admissions

Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court for Western District of Virginia
Supreme Court of Virginia and all Virginia courts

Professional Affiliations

Virginia State Bar
Virginia State Bar Council (22^nd Judicial Circuit) 1998-2001
Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association Board of Governors (2007-2011)

Memberships

Chatham Presbyterian Church, Elder and Trustee
Rural Virginia Prosperity Commission (2000-2002)
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission (2002-2008)
Hampden-Sydney College Wilson Center Board of Advisors (2003-2007)
Virginia Code Commission (2004-2008)
Virginia Indian Commemorative Commission (2009-2010)
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation Board of Directors, Vice-Chair (2017-present)