RWU Law
#Changemakers Welcome
Juris Doctor (JD)
Few degrees are more versatile than the Juris Doctor, whatever your professional interest: private practice, public interest, government, litigation, corporate, marine, educational or elsewhere!
Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
Designed especially for students who want to bring deep legal skill and know-how to their existing career focus, but not actually practice law.
Why RWU Law?
Social Justice
At RWU Law, we believe that lawyers should use their legal skills to serve their communities – and that pro bono service in law school can set the stage for a lifetime of invaluable social contributions.
Guaranteed Clinical Experience
RWU Law guarantees that every qualified student will be afforded a substantial, hands-on clinical experience. You tell us: where do you want to go? The possibilities are virtually limitless.
Affordable Tuition
Our affordable tuition makes us the best-priced ABA-accredited private law school in the Northeast. Lower tuition. Higher value. That's RWU Law.
The Only Law School In RI
As the state's one and only law school, RWU Law is able to offer you a level of access, connection and experience that few institutions can rival – helping you have an impact today, and make a difference now ...
Facts at a Glance
- #1Faculty Accessibility
Data from the Princeton Review places RWU Law among the best student reviewed faculties in the United States.
- Innovation Leader
RWU Law is one of just a handful of law schools to add a 3-credit required course on race in its curriculum, and is leading other schools in integrating diversity into classroom teaching with co-authorship of a book on the subject with a webinar series
- 2Campuses
Our Bristol seaside campus provides the backdrop for your legal education. Our Providence experiential campus gives you the experience you seek in your third year.
- AFFORDABILITY
We're the most affordable private, ABA law school in the entire Northeast region.
- 60,100Hours of Community Service
Our 2022 graduates provided a combined total of 60,100 hours of community service equivalent to an estimated value of $1.8M
- #Changemaker Stories
With extensive pro bono clinic experiences, RWU Law students start being changemakers in school. Our alumni go out into the world armed with the education and experience to contribute meaningful changes within their spheres of influence.
Immigration Lawyer Saad Ahmad L’00 Shows That Appellate Practice Isn’t Just for Large Firms
Supreme Court recently heard asylum seeker’s deportation case, RWU Law Class of 2000 Juris DoctorImmigration attorney Saad Ahmad is the rare attorney with extensive experience on both trial and appeal. On January 8, 2024, Ahmad reached a milestone, as the Supreme Court heard a case on appeal from a matter he had successfully argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Read full storyFeatured News
Melissa DuBose L’04 Confirmed to Federal District Court
Melissa DuBose L’04 has been confirmed by the US Senate to fill a judicial opening in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. She will replace Judge William Smith, who will be taking senior status as of January 1, 2025.
Victorious Verdict
Brittney Ortiz 3L emerged victorious as part of the winning duo at the 16th annual ABA First Amendment and Media Law Diversity Moot Court competition vs. a team from Univ of Illinois College of Law and Harvard Law.
From the Community, for the Community
Long before she was the Associate Dean of Student Life and Operations at Roger Williams University School of Law, Lorraine Lalli was an aspiring law student. On her admissions essay for RWU Law, she wrote about how she planned to use the skills she learned in law school to give back to the community.
Upcoming Events
- ThuMar21
- ThuApr4
- FriApr5
Institutes and Programs
Feinstein Center for Pro Bono and Experiential Education
This center connects students and faculty with community organizations to provide pro bono legal services to those in need and to help students to gain valuable practical legal experience.
Marine Affairs Institute
The Marine Affairs Institute prepares law students to enter the exciting field of ocean and coastal law and policy by providing them with strong academic credentials and practical experiences that help them be practice-ready upon graduation.
Institute for Race and the Law
The innovative Institute for Race and the Law aims to transform the landscape of legal education, drive justice reform through legal scholarship, and address root causes of systemic inequality.