Awards & Achievements

Marine Affairs Achievement Award

The Marine Affairs Achievement Award was instituted in 2006 and is given annually to a graduating student who has been exemplary in the study and advancement of marine policy and law.  

Recipients
2006  Lance M. Young
2007  Jennifer A. Mehaffey
2008  Nicholas A. Battista
2009  Gwendolyn M. Hancock
2010  Kathleen M. Haber
2011  Jacqueline S. Rolleri
2012  Catherine B. Kramer, Sarah M. Parker
2013  Melissa R. Chalek
2014  Kaitlyn E. Cox
2015  Casey M. O'Brien
2016  John J. Ryan-Henry
2017  Arianna C. Baker 
2018  Kathleen O'Brien
2019  Kallie Marie Longval
2020  Kathryn Ann Kulaga, Ph.D.
2021  Alyssa Lauren Lemire
2022  Christopher Alton Graff Perrett
2023  Eden Elise Yerby


William J. Coffey Excellence in Maritime Writing Prize

This prize is given in memory of William J. Coffey, a nationally renowned maritime law expert and adjunct professor of the School of Law, as well as former Interim Director of the Institute and Vice Chair of the Institute's Advisory Board.  The prize is awarded annually to recognize exceptional law student writing on a topic in admiralty and maritime law.

Recipients
2013  Christopher J. McNally, Kyle C. Smith, William H. Yost
2014  Marc R. Fialkoff
2015  Casey M. Charkowick
2016  William C. Burnham
2017  Brett P. Hargaden 
2018  Kathleen O'Brien
2019  Joseph Staph
2020  Kathryn Ann Kulaga, Ph.D.
2021  Alyssa Lauren Lemire
2022  Christopher Alton Graff Perrett
2023  Patrick Thomas Stanton                                           

Coffey Prize recipients receive a framed picture of the Revolutionary War-era sloop Providence.

Propeller Club Scholarship

The Propeller Club of the United States - Port of Narragansett Bay institutes an annual Education Fund based on proceeds from its golf tournament awarded to a student(s) enrolled in an accredited program with a concentration in Maritime, Ports, Logistic Management or a Merchant Marine License Certificate. 

Recipients
2008  Brian P.R. Eisenhower
2009  Jacqueline S. Rolleri
2010  Nicholas Obolensky, Steven Surdut
2011  Christopher J. McNally, William H. Yost
2012  Maeve C. Tibbetts
2013  Marc R. Fialkoff
2015  Casey M. O'Brien

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.