Students in the classroom

LEAD@RWULaw

The mission of the LEAD@RWULAW Pre-Orientation Program is to empower incoming law students to achieve their full potential through mentoring, learning, and leadership experiences. The goal of LEAD@RWULAW is to foster a thriving community of students who are supported and connected through meaningful relationships and opportunities for learning and growth. LEAD@RWULAW is designed especially for first generation law students and those without access to lawyer mentors.
 

The application form for the 2025 LEAD@RWULAW Program will be available on May 19, 2025.

Law school will introduce you to a new way of thinking about the world, a new vocabulary, and even a new way of reading and writing. The Academic Excellence and the Diversity & Outreach Programs jointly sponsor the LEAD@RWULAW Pre-Orientation Program to introduce students to the resources available to “learn how to learn” and thrive in law school. In addition, the LEAD@RWULAW Program will introduce you to RWU Law alumni and upper-level students to serve as mentors in the coming years.

The program values and celebrates each person's unique identify as it strives to promote equity and excellence through the power of teaching and mentoring. The LEAD@RWULAW Program consciously cultivates an inclusive and welcoming climate and culture among students, staff, faculty, and administrators and actively affirms and celebrates individual differences. 

The program begins the summer before law school with the LEAD@RWULAW Pre-Orientation Program, continues into the first semester with the F1RST@RWU Law Program, Academic Excellence Labs, Career Development Workshops, and other leadership opportunities. 

The 2025 LEAD@RWULAW Program will run from August 7 to August 8.

The LEAD@RWULAW Pre-Orientation Program will be held at the RWU Law Bristol Campus and at the RWU Law Providence campus.

The program will include academic components, community building, and introduction to the legal profession.

The charge for the program is $75.00. 

Any students who need financial assistance to attend the program, please contact Dr. Safie Sagna (ssagna@rwu.edu) and Kathy Thompson (kthompson@rwu.edu).

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.