Liberty Law student selected as Christian Legal Society fellow

As a rising 2L at Liberty University School of Law, Christen Capobianco is already making strides in her career. She was chosen by the Christian Legal Society to participate in its prestigious Law School Fellows program last month, and she has already secured a position in the Air Force JAG upon graduation from Liberty Law.

Capobianco was one of 40 students selected from law schools across the country to attend the fellowship, held May 17-23 in Washington, D.C. Participants were trained in biblical truth as it relates to law practice and study and equipped with theological and philosophical tools for a mission-minded approach to legal issues. All travel, lodging, and expenses are covered by the program. The Christian Legal Society (CLS) cultivates community nationwide among Christian legal professionals from every form of practice to make a kingdom impact on the legal profession.

Capobianco said she rededicated her life to Christ four years ago and became “on fire for God.” Her brother, a former Liberty University Online Programs student, told her about Liberty Law and encouraged her to apply. Working as a finance consultant, Capobianco did not originally plan to go to law school, but she felt a calling. She said that although law school is one of the most challenging ventures, her determination has helped her excel.

“It’s a type of discipline and hard work ethic that has gotten me through law school and has helped me really perform,” she said. “I treat law school as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I don’t ever want to take it for granted.”

During her first year at Liberty Law, Capobianco heard about Liberty Law’s CLS chapter and joined as a member. She credits CLS fellow Nate Brotzman, the chapter’s former president, for helping secure her spot in the fellowship through a letter of recommendation.

Mike Schutt, director of the CLS Law School Fellows program, said Capobianco’s “commitment to vocational stewardship in faith and law stood out” to their committee.

“Combined with a personal recommendation from another Law School Fellow (Brotzman), we knew (Capobianco) would be an encouragement to her classmates and an asset to the program this year, and we were not disappointed,” he said.

Capobianco said networking with law mentors during the fellowship, including School of Law Dean Timothy Todd, and meeting students from around the country as they explored topics like Christianity’s intersection with AI, bioethics, jurisprudence, and more will prove beneficial to her future career.

Todd said Liberty Law was proud to have one of its own represent the school and its Christian mission as a CLS Law School Fellow: “She embodies the heart of Liberty Law — loving the Lord and demonstrating a passion for service.”

Schutt said Todd’s involvement as a mentor was a valuable part of the fellowship.

“Liberty Law has become a great and valued partner of the Christian Legal Society,” Schutt said. “To have (Todd) here pouring into the lives of students is a real blessing to CLS and to these students. His experience as a scholar, his work in the legal academy, and his breadth of influence in the world of Christians in the legal profession make him an amazing resource for fellows.”

Capobianco will fill the role of vice president of Liberty Law’s CLS chapter this fall.

Another high honor came when Capobianco was accepted into the Air Force Graduate Law Program (GLP) this year, which she will be part for the next two years as she complete Air Force ROTC; after completing law school, she will commission as an officer in the Air Force JAG Corps. She was not involved in ROTC during her undergraduate, and as a requirement of GLP, she will complete the usual four years of ROTC training within 2 years. Though the time commitment between ROTC and law school is demanding, Capobianco said the effort will be worth it.

“It requires a lot of sacrifice because we are doing four years’ worth of ROTC in two years on top of a law school workload, but it’s nice to already have a job lined up after I graduate,” she said.

Earlier this month, Capobianco represented Liberty Law at the Virginia State Bar Diversity Conference in Virginia Beach, alongside Liberty Law rising 2L Zach Gray, as part of the section’s Mentor-Mentee program. The conference and program bring together VSB members interested in increasing outreach and engagement by fostering and encouraging full and equal participation in Virginia’s legal profession.

“Christen is a Champion for Christ, and we are excited to see the meaningful impact she will make for the Kingdom,” Todd said.