Champions for Justice
Thank you for your support in making Champions for Justice 2024 a success! Scroll down to find photographs from the 30th Anniversary Event at The Graduate Providence on Thursday, March 21, 2024! We look forward to your support as we continue to impact the community through our pro bono programs, clinics, and externships.
CHAMPION FOR JUSTICE
The Hon. Christopher K. Smith L'07
Associate Justice, Rhode Island Superior Court
ALUMNI CHAMPION
John Karwashan, Esq. L'15
Rhode Island Center for Justice
COMMUNITY PARTNER CHAMPION
City of Central Falls, Rhode Island
presented to
The Hon. Maria Rivera '19, Mayor of Central Falls &
Matthew Jerzyk, Esq. L'08, Central Falls City Solicitor
About Champions for Justice
Whether you're a legal enthusiast, a student aspiring to make a difference or a seasoned practitioner, this event is a unique chance to engage with the forefront of legal innovation. Take advantage of an unforgettable evening dedicated to the champions who embody the spirit of justice. Secure your spot now for an enriching experience at the forefront of legal excellence. Step into the realm of legal excellence and advocacy at the upcoming Champions of Justice event hosted by RWU Law.
Questions? | RWU Law Office of the Dean – Programs & Initiatives | lawevents@rwu.edu
Be a Proud Sponsor
We invite you to support the social justice initiatives at RWU Law by sponsoring the 10th Annual Champions for Justice event. This event aims to benefit the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education, RWU Law Clinics, and the Pro Bono Collaborative at Roger Williams University School of Law. Champions for Justice has become RWU Law's prominent event for the bench and bar, business, and academic communities, drawing more than 300 guests annually.
Grand Partner: $20,000
This package includes exclusive access to the event, preferred seating for ten people, and the opportunity to have your brand name presented at the event. Your logo will be featured in all printed and electronic communications before and after the event. Your brand will also be visible behind the podium, website, and blue/gold carpet. Additionally, you will receive ten tickets to the exclusive VIP reception with the keynote speaker and honorary guests.
Thank you to our Grand Partner - Chisholm, Chisholm & Kilpatrick
Thank you to our Grand Partner - Jones Kelleher
VIP Reception Partner: $15,000
This package includes the naming of the VIP Reception with the Keynote speaker, premier sponsors, and invited guests at an exclusive pre-function. Eight tickets are included for the main event, along with a static logo and recognition for the VIP reception and invitations.
Thank you to our VIP Reception Partner - Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell
Main Ballroom Cocktail Reception partner: $15,000
The naming of the opening reception and social hour before the formal program begins. Eight event tickets include access to the exclusive VIP reception with the keynote speaker and honorary guests. Static signage and branding visibility at the venue and online.
Dean’s Presenting Partner: $15,000
Exclusive access includes eight tickets to the event with access to the exclusive VIP reception featuring the keynote speaker and honorary guests—event branding and large static/digital visibility behind the podium, at the event, on the website, and logo visibility.
Signature Partners: $10,000
Six tickets for the event include access to the exclusive VIP reception with the keynote speaker and honorary guests. Static signage and branding visibility at the venue, online, and in all event communications. This is ideal for firms with RWU grads to show their support.
Thank you to our Signature Partner - Robinson + Cole
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Thank you to our Signature Partner - Marasco & Nesselbush
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Thank you to our Signature Partner - Motley Rice, LLC
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Champions Partner: $5,000
Four tickets to the event include access to the exclusive VIP reception with the keynote speaker and honorary guests—static logo placement on signage in the venue.
Thank you to our Champions Partner - ACS Industries, Inc.
Thank you to our Champions Partner - Adler, Pollock & Sheehan P.C.
Thank you to our Champions Partner - Barton Gilman
Thank you to our Champions Partner - Cameron & Mittleman LLP
Thank you to our Champions Partner - DeLuca & Associates, Ltd.
Thank you to our Champions Partner - Marc DeSisto, Esq.
Thank you to our Champions Partner - The Smith-Kushmerick Family Fund
Thank you to our Champions Partner - Rob Levine Law
Supporting Partner: $2,500
Two tickets to the event. Static logo placement on signage at the venue.
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - John Barylick, Esq. and Jenna Wims Hashway, Esq.
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Day Pitney, LLP
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Gonzalez Law Offices
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Higgins, Cavanagh & Cooney, LLP
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Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Hinckley Allen
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Keches Law
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Locke Lord
Thank you to our Support Partner - Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Pierce Atwood LLP
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Sloane & Walsh
Thank you to our Supporting Partner - Associate Justice Brian P. Stern & Mrs. Jennifer Stern
Sponsor Contact | Chris Sienko | Assistant Vice President, Institutional Advancement, RWU Law | csienko@rwu.edu
The Impact
Champions for Justice is quickly becoming a hallmark of the Rhode Island legal landscape, and we are proud to count so many as friends and supporters of the Law School. Proceeds from the evening benefit the many social justice programs within RWU Law:
Alternative Spring Break
Institute for Race and the Law
Pro Bono Collaborative
Public Interest Clinical Externships
Public Interest Summer Stipends
RWU Law Clinics
2024 Champions for Justice
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The Hon. Christopher K. Smith L'07
Associate Justice, Rhode Island Superior Court
The Honorable Christopher K. Smith, L’07 appointed by Governor Daniel McKee in 2023, currently serves as an Associate Justice on the Rhode Island Superior Court. Prior to this position, in 2019, he was appointed by then Governor Gina Raimondo to the Rhode Island District Court. Before joining the bench, Judge Smith practiced law at the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office where he rose from an Assistant Public Defender to the Chief of the District Court Unit. As a public defender, Judge Smith supervised dozens of RWU Law students, inspiring many law students to pursue careers in public defense. While on the bench, Judge Smith has remained dedicated to engaging law students in public service, most recently when he helped launch the Rhode Island District Court Eviction Help Desk. Judge Smith is a frequent guest speaker in many RWU Law classes and he is a welcome and familiar face at many of the law school’s events throughout the year.
Judge Smith is a graduate of Hamilton College. He went on to receive his law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law and an LL.M. from the University of Oregon School of Law with a concentration in International Environmental Law. In addition to his official duties, Judge Smith serves on the Board of Directors for Crossroads Rhode Island and is a member of the Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Rhode Island Courts.
John Karwashan, Esq. L'15
Rhode Island Center for Justice
John Karwashan, Esq. L’15 joined the Rhode Island Center for Justice as the Supervising Attorney in December 2022. Prior to joining the Center, John was an assistant public defender at the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office for over three-and-a-half years and had his own criminal defense practice for two years, practicing in both state and federal courts. For nearly a decade John has been an incredible role model and mentor to RWU Law students. In addition to serving on the Pro Bono Collaborative Advisory Board for several years, John was a pro bono supervising attorney for the Pro Bono Collaboratives’ ACI Civil Legal Clinic Project and has consulted on several other Pro Bono Collaborative projects. John has supervised law student interns and externs throughout his career. No matter the task, John has always said “yes” to any request to support the law school’s pro bono and social justice initiatives. He is thoughtful, humble, and collaborative with his clients, colleagues, and the law students that work alongside him. John goes the extra mile for everyone who is lucky enough to cross paths with him. John is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and Roger Williams University School of Law.
City of Central Falls, Rhode Island
presented to The Hon. Maria Rivera '19, Mayor of Central Falls & Matthew Jerzyk, Esq. L'08, Central Falls City Solicitor
The City of Central Falls has been an incredible partner to the law school and its RWU Law students. Through the City’s long-standing commitment to hosting law students during the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program, students have been able to learn from, and engage with, the incredible Central Falls community. In addition to facilitating law student pro bono service during our ASB program, Matt has welcomed dozens of law students into his office through the public interest externship program. RWU Law students have engaged in meaningful work on behalf of Central Falls. Most recently, Mayor Rivera and Matt Jerzyk re-launched the Domestic Violence Task Force with the help of a RWU Law extern, and this spring an extern is working on improving housing conditions for residents of the City. Centrals Falls has also been a leader in educating and preventing lead poisoning in the City’s housing stock.
2023 Robert B. Mann, Esq. LHD’15
2022 The Honorable O.Rogeriee Thompson'10HL
2020 Amato “Bud” DeLuca and Miriam Weizenbaum
2019 Robert J. McConnell, Esq., Motley Rice, LLC
2018 The Honorable Edward C. Clifton
2017 Stephen M. Prignano, Esq., McIntyre Tate, LLP
2016 The Honorable Judith Colenback Savage
2015 Linn Foster Freedman, Esq., Robinson + Cole
2023 Joy C. Dingle, Esq. L'03, Street Law, Inc.
2022 Akin Adepoju L '07
2020 Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Esq. L’07, Community Legal Aid
2019 Diana deGroof, Esq. L’03, Rhode Island Legal Services
2018 Luis Mancheno, Esq. L’13, The Bronx Defenders
2017 Swapna Yeluri, Esq. L’07, Homeless Persons Representation Project
2016 Dena Castricone, Esq. ’98 L’02, Murtha Cullina, LLP
2015 Deborah Gonzalez, Esq. ’04 L’07, Gonzalez Law Offices, Inc.
2023 House of Hope CDC
2022 Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc.
2020 Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
2019 Rhode Island Public Defender
2018 Barton Gilman, LLP
2017 Rhode Island Medical-Legal Partnership
2016 Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island
2015 Committee for Public Counsel Services