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 ...
Defending Dreams in Challenging Times
Jeremy Love and Samantha Armstrong, RWU Law Class of 2006 and 2018 Juris Doctor2012 was an important year in immigration law, as the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program opened a new category of legal status for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. under the age of 18, so-called “Dreamers.” It was also the year Jeremy Love L’06 founded the Love Law Firm, a full-service immigration firm in Alabama. In 2024, another RWU Law graduate, Samantha Armstrong L’18 joined the firm.
Read full storyFeatured News
RWU Law Faculty Honored with National Award for Advancing Diversity in Legal Education
Nicole P. Dyszlewski, professor and assistant dean for curricular innovation, and Suzanne Harrington-Steppen, clinical professor and associate director of pro bono programs, were recently named recipients of the 2025 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award from the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The award honors their co-editorship of the groundbreaking book Integrating Doctrine & Diversity: Beyond the First Year.
RWU Class of 2025 Urged to Embrace Discomfort, Pursue their Dreams and Careers with Purpose
Cole Brauer, the first American woman to sail solo nonstop around the world, inspires resilience in Commencement address to RWU’s 1,279 graduates.
Destined for Law: From Legal Dream to Valedictorian
For RWU Law Class of 2025 valedictorian Ashley Kaplan, attending law school always felt like destiny. “Becoming a lawyer was one of my childhood dreams, and as my grandfather always wanted a lawyer in the family – and I am a smidge argumentative – it felt kismet for me to go to law school,” she says.
Rising Leaders in Justice: Celebrating RWU Law’s Class of 2025 Honorees
Each year, RWU Law honors graduating students for their achievements and important contributions to both the law school and the wider community. Among this year’s honorees are Public Interest Award winner Kaiya Letherer, Pro Bono Collaborative Award winner Sydney Barletta, Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Clinic Student Andrew Dunphy, and Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Externship Student Samantha Lobato. These four members of the Class of 2025 share a steadfast dedication to justice and public service – a commitment that has shaped their journeys and inspired their legal paths.
Better Than He Found It
When Ben Peters L'25 first arrived at RWU Law, he didn't know a single person. And that was the point. Having spent his entire life in West Virginia, Peters came to Rhode Island to expand his horizons in a different region and was also drawn to the joint degree program which offered a Masters in Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island.
Upcoming Events
- ThuJun12
- FriAug22
25th Annual RWU Law Alumni Association Scholarship Golf Tournament
- Swansea Country Club, 299 Market Street, Swansea, MA 02777 - WedDec3
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.