Juris Doctor
Where do you want to go with your law degree? Few degrees are more versatile than the Juris Doctor, or J.D. Whatever your professional interest – private practice, public interest, government, litigation, corporate, marine, non-legal, educational – we'll help you design an academic and experiential pathway that will get you there.
Curriculum
Are you ready to make a difference? Do you want to change the world for the better? The Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is a powerful key that opens the door to myriad career options. Private law practice is the traditional route – whether as a sole practitioner, member of a boutique specialty practice, or part of a large regional, national or international firm. Opportunities for government lawyers abound at the local, state and federal levels. Public interest lawyers are in huge demand, working with nonprofit agencies to serve those in need – economically disadvantaged communities, immigrants, veterans and more. In-house attorneys advise companies and corporations. And many others step off these traditional legal paths altogether to forge their own way. Armed with a J.D., and powered by drive and ingenuity, the possibilities for today’s lawyers are endless.
Below is a summary of courses needed for the J.D. Degree.
Year One
Course Description
This skills course trains students in the traditional methods of case and statutory analysis, legal research and writing. The skills are developed through graded exercises, library research, and written work. Students prepare a client opinion letter and two office memoranda.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.5Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This skills course complements Legal Methods I. The emphasis is on the development of advocacy skills through problem analysis, legal research, the writing of an appellate brief and the presentation of oral argument. Students are trained in computer-aided legal research.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.5Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course provide an introduction to the law of liability for civil wrongs. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, nuisance and damages.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course provides an introduction to the law of liability for civil wrongs. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, nuisance and damages.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawPrerequisite
LAW.616 – Torts ICourse Description
This two-semester course provides an introduction to the adversary system and the historical basis and evolving functions of both the state and the federal systems of civil procedure. Topics include an introduction to claims and remedies, jurisdiction, venue, pleading, discovery, joinder of claims and parties, res judicata, collateral estoppel, disposition without trial, court selection, jury and non-jury trials, post-trial motions and appellate review. The drafting of pleadings for a case is included.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This two-semester course provides an introduction to the adversary system and the historical basis and evolving functions of both the state and the federal systems of civil procedure. Topics include an introduction to claims and remedies, jurisdiction, venue, pleading, discovery, joinder of claims and parties, res judicata, collateral estoppel, disposition without trial, court selection, jury and non-jury trials, post-trial motions and appellate review. The drafting of pleadings for a case is included.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawPrerequisite
LAW.600 – Civil Procedure ICourse Description
This course provides an introduction to the law of property, both real and personal. Real property concepts are emphasized. Topics include historical development, common law principles, gifts, estates in land, licenses, easements, restrictive covenants, future interests, contracts for the sale of land, conveyancing, mortgages, the recording system and possessory rights. Land-use regulation will be introduced if time permits.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
5.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Jonathan M. GutoffCourse Description
This course examines the general principles of substantive criminal law and concepts of mens rea, causation, parties, elements, criminal responsibility and capacity, justification, excuse and defenses.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This two-semester course provides an introduction to the law of agreements. Topics include contract formation, the doctrine of consideration and its substitutes, the Statute of Frauds, contract regulation, the parole evidence rule, interpretation, performance and breach, conditions, anticipatory breach, remedies for breach, specific performance, damages, restitution and impracticability and frustration. Both the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code are emphasized. The rights and duties of non-parties are covered to the extent possible.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This two-semester course provides an introduction to the law of agreements. Topics include contract formation, the doctrine of consideration and its substitutes, the Statute of Frauds, contract regulation, the parole evidence rule, interpretation, performance and breach, conditions, anticipatory breach, remedies for breach, specific performance, damages, restitution and impracticability and frustration. Both the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code are emphasized. The rights and duties of non-parties are covered to the extent possible.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawPrerequisite
LAW.604 – Contracts ICourse Description
RWU Law’s Enrichment Course is designed to help first-semester students develop the critical skills necessary for success in their first-year courses. These sessions include topics such as case-briefing, outlining, study strategies and may provide an opportunity to review a formative assessment or attain additional insight into doctrinal areas. All full-time students must attend the 1L Enrichment Course. Part-time students and MSL students are welcome to attend, but are not required to attend.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
0.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorFaculty Associated
Kathryn ThompsonYear Two
Course Description
This course is designed to provide in-depth instruction in legal writing and analysis, and to help prepare students for legal practice. Students will complete a series of in-class and take-home exercises and will receive feedback on their writing throughout the semester. In addition, students will meet individually with their professor to discuss assignments, and to enhance their writing and analytical skills.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawPrerequisite
LAW.611 – Legal Practice IICourse Description
This course examines the procedural aspects of the criminal justice system with emphasis on the impact of the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments to the United States Constitution on state and federal prosecutions. Topics include the law of arrest, search and seizure, police interrogation and the privilege against self-incrimination.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course analyzes the responsibility of lawyers and judges from the perspectives of the rules and case law, the profession and the client/consumer. Topics include the historical, political, and sociological bases of legal ethics; conflicts of interests; attorney-client privilege; admission to the bar; disciplinary matters and procedures; unauthorized practice of law; attitudes toward bench and bar; professional liability; and canons of ethics and codes of professional responsibility.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course examines the basic principles of constitutional law through the analysis of the opinions of the United States Supreme Court. Topics include judicial review, federal system relationships, commerce clause,
governmental powers and civil rights.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course examines the basic constitutional protection of individual rights, including equal protection implied fundamental rights or modem substantive due process (including rights of privacy, privileges and immunities, and the incorporation controversy) due process and the first amendment freedoms of expression and religion.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawPrerequisite
LAW.639 – Constitutional Law ICourse Description
This course introduces the law controlling the introduction and exclusion of evidence in civil and criminal trials. Topics include burden of proof, presumption, judicial notice, burden of production, burden of persuasion, competency of witnesses, relevancy, examinations of witnesses, privileges, hearsay, demonstrative evidence, documents and the function of judge and jury.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
4.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
The course will provide both a historical overview and a current assessment of the relationship between race and American law and provide critical analytical tools on the issue that students can use in various aspects of their legal education and in future practice. The course will examine the ways the American law has created and continues to perpetuate racial hierarchy in the United States, benefiting those deemed white and privileged, and how these actions have influenced the development of American law. The roles that white supremacy and racial hierarchy play in current legal systems, including legal education, the legal profession, the criminal justice system, immigration, the housing market, and public education will also be covered. Finally, the course will take a critical look at current anti-racist theories of action, approaches, and tactics and explore ways in which unjust and racially discriminatory systems can be dismantled. This is a novel course team-taught by three faculty members and it is mandatory for all second-year law students. One of the main purposes of the course will be to find ways to integrate these important topics into the larger law school curriculum.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorIn addition to the required course above students must take 13-15 credits of electives. To see what electives we offer see our full course list and select electives.
Or see the recommended courses within the curriculum tracks listed below.
Year Three
All students need to take a legal practice upper level course. This course may be taken in Year Two
RESTRICTED TO 3L STUDENTS
Course Description
This class is the bridge between the three-year law school curriculum and the two months of bar review following graduation. The course teaches much of the law tested on the bar exam, yet focuses primarily on thinking skills and test-taking strategies. Extensive coverage is given to the most difficult part of the bar exam: the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE), the 200-question multiple-choice test that is part of the bar exam of every state except Louisiana. The course also covers essay and performance test writing techniques. The Fall Semester will cover Torts, Evidence, Criminal Law, & Criminal Procedure. The spring course will cover Contracts, Property, & Constitutional Law. The Fall Semester course is not a formal prerequisite for the Spring Semester, but is highly recommended.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorIn their third year students must take 28-32 credits of electives. To see what electives we offer see our full course list and select electives.
Or see the recommended courses within the curriculum tracks listed below.
Graduation Requirements
The 1L preliminary bar examination shall be taken at the end of the Spring exam period in the first year of law school for full-time students (and at the end of the Spring exam period in the second year of law school for part-time students).
The 2L preliminary bar examination shall be taken at the end of the Spring exam period in the second year of law school for full-time students (and at the end of the Spring exam period in the third year of law school for part-time students).
For students who begin the J.D. Program in Fall 2019 or thereafter, each student must successfully complete at least four upper-level courses that are designated by the law school as courses addressed to bar-tested subjects. Students may choose which four of the bar-tested elective courses to take to satisfy this requirement. In addition to any other courses that the law school may designate, these courses include the following:
Course Description
This course surveys and analyzes the various forms of business enterprises. Organizations include sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. Topics include the legal relationships between the corporation and its directors, officers, stockholders, and creditors; risk reduction devices; formation, dissolution, and termination; and agency relationships and responsibilities. Consideration is given to cases, statutes, model acts, and securities laws.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Susan Schwab HeymanCourse Description
This course provides an introduction to the law related to the sale of goods (moveable personal property) under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC"). Topics to be covered include: formation, terms, performance, risk of loss, express and implied warranties, disclaimers, breach, and remedies of the aggrieved buyer and seller. The course assumes familiarity with basic contract principles, though core concepts will be reviewed.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Susan Schwab HeymanCourse Description
The remedies course surveys what a court can do for a claimant who has been, or might be, wronged by the defendant. We will address the principal remedies: damages; injunctions (orders to do or refrain from doing certain conduct); restitution (including the possibility of recovering the defendant's gains from a wrongful act, even if the gains exceed the amount of the plaintiff's loss); remedies that simply declare the rights of the parties; pre-judgment remedies before a determination of liability; and the various means of enforcing remedies (including contempt and seizure of property). Throughout the course, we will discuss which of the several remedies are best for the plaintiff, and how to determine the extent of the remedy that the plaintiff may obtain.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course is intended to prepare a student to advise clients about ordering their personal and financial affairs to more effectively provide for themselves and the people about whom they care. Various dispositive mechanisms inter vivos testamentary and in trust, will be covered, as well as devices to appoint health care and financial proxies. The course will also address the ethical and professional responsibilities of lawyers representing clients in this area.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Akilah N. FolamiCourse Description
This course examines the underlying social and economic principles of family life, its regulation by government, and constitutional limitations on regulation. Direct laws covering marriage, divorce, and child custody will be examined but also the course will cover those areas of law--property, income maintenance, medical care, schooling and crime--that also have direct impact on families in this society.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course surveys Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and focuses on financing and creation of a security interest in personal property and fixtures.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
John ChungCourse Description
Callie from California and Max from Massachusetts get into a car accident with each other in the parking lot of Disney World (Florida). Max returns home to Massachusetts and sues Callie and Disney World in Massachusetts state court. Does the Massachusetts court have jurisdiction over Callie and/or Disney World? If so, what law would a Massachusetts court apply to the dispute – Massachusetts law? California law? Florida law? If Max obtains judgment against Callie and Disney World, are these judgments enforceable in California and Florida? If Callie moves to France and obtains a declaratory judgment there that she is not liable to Max for the car accident, would this French judgment be recognized by a Massachusetts court to preclude Max’s lawsuit? These are the questions to be explored in this Conflict of Laws course. The course will focus on three broad questions: 1. Jurisdiction: When does a court have jurisdiction over a dispute? 2. Choice of Law: What law will a court apply to a dispute? 3. Enforcement of Judgments: When will a judgment from a foreign court (U.S. state or foreign country) be recognized and/or enforced? The approach taken is a mix between academic and practical. The ultimate goal is to have students not only understand the doctrines that comprise the conflict of laws, but be able to apply and manipulate them to achieve a desired result.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Louise Ellen TeitzIn order to graduate, every student, under the direct supervision of a professor or director of an institute, must write an individually authored paper that reflects substantial legal research; presents a legal argument that is well-developed, organized, and supported; is at least 5500 words long; and is of sufficient quality to earn a grade of “C” or higher. With the approval of the supervising professor or director, students may also submit shorter papers totaling 5500 words, as long as each paper is at least 1500 words long and meets these requirements.
Students should work closely with the supervising professor or director in completing this paper or papers, submitting preliminary drafting stages, such as a thesis statement, an outline, and a first draft. At each stage, the supervising professor or director should provide thorough feedback on the student’s work.
The graduation writing requirement may be fulfilled by: (a) a directed research paper or papers under Section 705 of this Code, (b) a paper or papers submitted in a seminar or course in which the paper or papers in total count for at least one-half of the final course grade, or (c) a paper supervised by a professor or director submitted to acquire or maintain Law Review membership.
Examples of formats that would fulfill the graduation writing requirement are an academic-style paper, a legal brief, a research or bench memo, or a judicial opinion.
Students must obtain written certification that they completed the graduation writing requirement from the supervising professor or director or, for papers supervised in an adjunct-taught seminar, from the Associate Dean. Students shall submit the Certification of Graduation Writing Requirement to the supervising professor or director at the same time they submit the final version of the paper or papers for which they seek to satisfy the requirement. Students are responsible for ensuring that a certification form signed by the supervising professor or director is delivered to the Office of Student Finance and Records well in advance of their graduation date. To assure uniformity in the treatment of the papers supervised by adjunct faculty in seminars, the Associate Dean will review the papers before they are certified as satisfying the requirement.
Prior to graduation, each student must engage in fifty (50) hours of law-related pro bono work. All work satisfying this requirement must be donated; neither monetary compensation nor academic credit may be exchanged for this work. Pro bono work, as used in this section, means working with indigent clients, non-profit organizations (including, but not limited to 501(c)(3) organizations), public interest groups, the judiciary, government, and private practitioners handling pro bono cases. The Law School’s Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs will oversee the placement of students in pro bono opportunities and will certify satisfactory completion of this requirement. Every graduating student must complete his or her pro bono work no later than thirty (30) days in advance of their anticipated graduation date in order to allow for processing.
Students must complete 90 semester hours of credit to be eligible to receive the J.D. degree. The minimum cumulative GPA required for advancement to the second year is a 2.00. Likewise, students must achieve an annual GPA of 2.00 to advance to the third year and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation.
Over the past several years, approximately 6% of students have been academically dismissed after the first year of study and less than 1% thereafter.
Under the law school's grading policy, the mean grade in all first-year required courses must fall between 2.65 and 2.85. For all required courses after the first year, the mean grade must fall between 2.80 and 3.10. For all other courses there is no required or recommended mean.
Each student must complete the Experiential Education Requirement, by taking at least six credits of any course or courses designated as “Experiential Education.” For purposes of satisfying this requirement, Legal Practice III shall be designated as an Experiential Education course and be counted toward the six credit requirement. In addition, an in-house clinical program, a field clinic, the fieldwork component of a clinical externship program, and any additional course designated by the Associate Dean as an Experiential Education course shall be counted as toward the six credit requirement.
Curricular Tracks
Curricular Tracks are suggested paths of concentrated study, based upon various areas of law in which you may wish to practice upon graduation. They were created by the faculty and administration of the School of Law, with the intention of providing guidance to students as they plan their academic careers.
General Practice
The general practice track prepares students to serve community clients, handling cases that may involve criminal, personal injury, bankruptcy, divorce, estate planning and real estate law.
Business and Labor Law
Focusing on the laws governing relations between workers and their employers, this track covers such issues such as unfair labor practices, collective bargaining and employee grievances.
Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution
This track is designed for students seeking a strong background in litigation and trial advocacy, from basic evidence and civil procedure to hands-on judicial and legal externships.
Commercial Law
Students on this track may study contracts, choice and formation of business entities, manufacture and sales of consumer goods, taxation, business transactions and intellectual property.
Criminal Law
Criminal law is a fast-paced area of practice, providing extensive courtroom experience and opportunities to help people and protect the integrity of the justice system.
Family Law
Family lawyers are trained to deal with many issues that impact families, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, adoption and domestic violence.
Intellectual Property Law
This track exposes students to the law of trademarks, copyrights and patents. Spurred by new technology and a global economy, the field has grown dramatically in recent years.
International Law
In an era of globalization and “transnationalization,” this track prepares lawyers to confront issues within the public and private spheres of international law.
Marine and Environmental Law Track
Our waterfront campus offers students a dramatic focus on the network of laws that govern the impact of human activity on the waterfront and marine environment.
Maritime Law
Students of Maritime or Admiralty Law engage with the vast body of laws governing maritime activities, including relations between private entities that operate vessels on the oceans.
Public Interest - Civil
Civic-minded law students are drawn to this track, addressing broad areas of public concern, including illegal discrimination, environmental protection, child welfare and domestic violence.
Real Estate Law
Real estate lawyers are focused on sales, purchases, leasing and other transfers of real estate, as well as titles, development, zoning and land use.
Regulatory Compliance
Detail-oriented by nature, regulatory compliance lawyers ensure that their clients are both aware of and taking steps to comply with relevant laws, polices, and regulations.
Adventures in Law
Terrence Haas, RWU Law Class of 2007 Juris DoctorTerrence Haas L‘07 is an adventurer. In his twenties, he lived off the grid in rural northern Michigan in a shelter with no electricity or water. After law school, he moved to Alaska to become a public defender in a town outside of the state’s road system. In September 2023, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy appointed Haas as the Alaska Public Defender.
Read full storyJoint Degree Programs
Take your degree further by combining your J.D. with a Master's program. You can add specialized experience and save money through one of the following 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 preservation practice 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.
Clinics and Externships
Every student at RWU Law is guaranteed at least one substantial clinical experience and many of our students complete two or more. Here are just some of the options for getting real-world clinical experience.
Business Start-Up Clinic
Providing transactional legal services to non-profit organizations and community-based business in Rhode Island.
Learn more about the Business Start-Up Clinic
Criminal Defense Clinic
Representing real defendants in pending criminal cases under the direct supervision of a full-time member of the RWU Law faculty.
Learn more about the Criminal Defense Clinic
Immigration Clinic
Representing non-citizens in their applications for relief from removal before the Immigration Court.
Learn more about the Immigration Clinic
Veterans Disability Appeals Field Clinic
Representing military veterans pursuing disability benefits in the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
Learn more about the Veterans Clinic
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.
Learn more about Clinical Externship Programs
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.
Learn more about Semester-in-Practice