Juris Doctor
Few degrees are more versatile than the Juris Doctor, or J.D. Whatever your professional interest is we'll help you design an academic and experiential pathway that will get you there.
Academics
Educational excellence across a wide variety of program offerings.
Where Do You Want To Go With Your Law Degree?
RWU Law delivers a personalized and marketable legal education, based in Bristol and Providence, R.I.
Master of Studies in Law
Designed for students who want to bring legal knowledge to their current work or strengthen their career outlook.
Institutes and Programs
Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & 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.
Business Law Program
Our Business Law Program provides students with a sound foundation in the principles and practice of business law through clinics, externships and coursework.
Joint Degree Programs
JD/Master of Marine Affairs
We offer a joint degree program in partnership with the Marine Affairs program at the University of Rhode Island.
JD/Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Drawing on the strengths of the School of Law as well as the Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies, Roger Williams University offers a concentrated joint degree program for students interested in criminal justice.
JD/Master of Science in Cyber Security
Put yourself on the cutting edge of the law and technology with this innovative joint degree program between RWU Law and the Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies.
JD/Master of Science in Preservation Practices
Take advantage of one of the only joint degree programs combining the law with historic preservation in partnership with Roger Williams University's School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation.
JD/Master of Science in Labor Relations & Human Resources
In conjunction with the University of Rhode Island Charles T. Schmidt Jr. Labor Research Center, RWU Law offers a concentrated joint degree program for students interested in extensive study of legal issues relating to employment and labor relations.
Business Start-Up Clinic
Providing transactional legal services to non-profit organizations and community-based business in Rhode Island.
Criminal Defense Clinic
Representing real defendants in pending criminal cases under the direct supervision of a full-time member of the RWU Law faculty.
Immigration Clinic
Representing non-citizens in their applications for relief from removal before the Immigration Court.
Veterans Disability Appeals Field Clinic
Representing military veterans pursuing disability benefits in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Clinical Externships
Second and third-year students earn academic credit while working under the supervision of legal services lawyers, public defenders, prosecutors, government attorneys, corporate counsel or judges in the local community.
Semester-in-Practice
Total-immersion experience: students earn a full semester of credit while training in Rhode Island, Boston, New York - anywhere in the U.S. or around the world.
Additional Information
Academic Calendar
Calendars, course information, important exam information and course registration deadlines.
Rhode Island Sea Grant Law Fellow Program
The Rhode Island Sea Grant Program sponsors law students as Sea Grant Law Fellows to research and write on ocean and coastal law issues including the resolution of marine resource management and conservation issues.
Recent News
RWU Law Ranked #11 Nationally for Most Graduates in Public Interest Law Careers
Roger Williams University School of Law has been ranked No. 11 in the nation for the percentage of graduates pursuing careers in public interest law, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2025 rankings , part of Best Law Schools.
Protecting the Waters
The ocean holds a special place in the heart of current 3L and avid surfer Julia Meskis ‘25. In fact, her love of the waters has completely shaped her career goals, as she plans to ultimately use her law degree to protect the ocean for future generations.
RWU Law Teams Earn Top Honors at National Admiralty Moot Court Competition
Coached by Professor Jonathan Gutoff and Adjunct Professor Brody Karn L’19, RWU Law’s 3L and 2L teams stood out in the 2025 Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition, held in New Orleans, LA.
Champions for Justice: Celebrating Alumni Leaders in Legal Advocacy and Social Impact
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Roger Williams University School of Law hosted its annual Champions for Justice event that brought together members of the Rhode Island legal community to honor RWU Law alumni and organizations making significant contributions to social justice.
Acclaimed Environmental Lawyer and Graphic Memoirist Eddie Ahn to Visit RWU Law
Roger Williams University School of Law welcomes the community to attend a conversation with Eddie Ahn, Executive Director at Brightline Defense, an accomplished environmental lawyer, and graphic memoirist, on Thursday, March 20, at 2:45 p.m.