Family Law Track

Family lawyers are trained to deal with many issues that impact families, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, adoption and domestic violence.

Family lawyers are trained to deal with many issues that impact families, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, adoption and domestic violence.

Students interested in family law need a strong grasp of the legal principles and social policies governing family formation, dysfunction and dissolution. Family Law covers the creation, maintenance, and dissolution of conjugal relationships – whether marriage, registered domestic partnership or informal cohabitation. Because many family law practitioners are primarily concerned with divorce cases, they should also be versed in child custody, child support, and spousal support in conjunction with family dissolution. A family law practitioner must understand their jurisdiction’s marital property laws. Family Law practitioners often veer into related areas such as Estate Planning or Immigration Law. In terms of clinical skills, family law practice requires training in client interviewing, counseling and negotiation.

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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.