RWU Day of Law and Justice Showcases Powerful Combinations at the State House
The School of Justice Studies and Extension School join RWU Law in a university-wide effort connecting students to policy and public service.
Welcome, #Changemaker
Congratulations on your acceptance to the RWU Law Class of 2029!
This site is your best resource as you prepare to join your community this August.
Make it Official!
If you haven't already secured your seat in our incoming class, don't wait any longer.
Experience RWU Law
You don't need to wait until next fall to see what it's like to be an RWU Law student. We invite you to start learning about our community by attending our virtual admitted students events, watching our quick virtual tours, and sitting in on a 1L class:
Register for an In-Person Tour
Tour RWU Law (virtual)
Tour Bristol, RI (virtual)
Sit in on a 1L Torts Class (virtual)
Connect with the RWU Law Community
Your new law school community includes students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and stretches from Bristol to Providence to Newport and beyond. Whether you have questions about where to live or where to find the best study spot - we've got you covered: check out Life @ RWU or reach out to one of our Student Ambassadors to find out what life is really like here at RWU Law!
Connect with Classmates
We've created an exclusive GroupMe for our first-year law students - the Class of 2029! Connect with future classmates, ask questions, and learn about upcoming special events in this private community. Join today!
Housing Resources
Most students aim to secure housing in the late Spring with a lease that begins in late July or early August. The Office of Admissions will provide updated information about off-campus listings in the Bristol area later in the semester. While not exhaustive, some resources are listed below.
Financial Aid Checklist
Questions about how you will be able to finance your legal education? We have two dedicated financial aid counselors to help you through the process! Follow their comprehensive Financial Aid Checklist and if you have any specific questions reach out to them directly:
Law Students with Last Name A-R: Kathryn Politano, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Law Students with Last Name S-Z: Shannon Carroll, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
If you have additional questions, please feel free to email our Admissions team to schedule an appointment.
Recent News
Roger Williams University School of Law Receives Historic $4 Million Gift from Mark Mandell to Establish Premier Trial Advocacy Center
A historic gift to the law school is slated to launch a permanent program to train the next generation of elite trial advocates.
Isiah DiPina L’27: From Personal Experience to Policy Change
“Remarkable job.” That’s how a Rhode Island Superior Court judge described Isiah DiPina L’27’s testimony before state lawmakers, where he shared his family’s experience to advocate for protecting inherited homes from forced sales. It is a powerful example of how personal story, when paired with legal training, can shape policy and create more just outcomes for others.
From Textbooks to Truth: A Civil Rights Journey
At the start of 2026, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island judiciary organized a trip to Alabama and Georgia for law students to participate in. Roger Williams University School of Law was invited to send delegates under the Justice Riders banner, led by Associate Dean Lorraine Lalli, made possible with the support of Mandell Boisclair Mandell, Ltd. This trip aimed to provide future lawyers with an opportunity to learn about the realities of social justice and to connect those realities to their future legal careers.
Women in Law Leadership Lecture Welcomes Victims’ Rights Attorney Carrie Goldberg to Roger Williams University School of Law
The Seventh Annual Women in Law Leadership Lecture at RWU Law featured nationally recognized attorney Carrie Goldberg, who discussed advocacy, justice, and challenges facing women in law.
Contact Information
Donnelly-Boylen, Michael
Associate Dean for Strategy, External Relations, and Enrollment
401-254-4555mdonnelly-boylen@rwu.eduLalli, Lorraine
Associate Dean, Student Life and Operations
401-254-4593llalli@rwu.eduBrown, Colleen A.
Associate Dean for Academic AffairsProfessor of Legal Practice
401-254-4629cbrown@rwu.eduHaley, Jodi
Assistant Dean of Career Development
401-254-4651jhaley@rwu.eduPeterson, Douglas
Registrar and Director of Academic Systems, Data, & Reporting
401-254-4660dpeterson@rwu.eduPolitano, Kathryn
Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid
401-254-4641kpolitano@rwu.eduThompson, Kathryn
Teaching Professor of Law
401-254-4568kthompson@rwu.edu