Law Review Symposium: Actionable Immigration Advocacy: Advancing Justice Beyond Detention

The phrase “Justice for All” dates to the founding of our country as a foundational principle of American law. But it has become increasingly clear that many groups of people are often left out of the “All” category, and the phrase “Justice for All” is often a fiction. The legal system regularly excludes people for reasons that have nothing to do with the merits of their case, and legal actors regularly work to uphold these exclusions rather than commit to expanding access. A person’s race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, citizenship, ability, age, and/or socioeconomic status are just a few of the factors that lock them out of receiving equal treatment in our justice system. People in these groups have limited access to lawyers, legal services, and legal education, which undermines the principle of justice that is the essence of the U.S. Constitution.

The Roger William Law Review’s newest journal, Justice for All, proudly presents a symposium focusing on educating Rhode Island’s legal community on the rapidly changing area of immigration defense. Speakers will discuss the current legal landscape concerning new laws and policies governing detention, and their experiences navigating the extreme changes to the due process doctrine. A clinic will be hosted in which practicing immigration attorneys will provide best approaches to advocating in this ever-changing environment, and speakers will discuss advocating for clients who face collateral consequences resulting from immigration enforcement’s long arm.

Register - November 6 - Law Review Symposium

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Registration

8:30 a.m.

Introduction to the Symposium

9:15 - 9:30 a.m.

Panel 1: Perspectives on Immigration Detention

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 

The use of detention in immigration proceedings has dramatically transformed over the last two years. These speakers will describe their individual experiences navigating the current state of affairs in immigration proceedings, providing perspectives on the process of detention in the immigration context. Their accounts will highlight how they interacted with parties of all ages with multi-cultural and multi-lingual backgrounds as those clients navigated the changing legal landscape. The speakers will also discuss their individual actions to advocate for equal access to justice under the law for every person involved in the world of immigration detention. Combining theory and exploration of legal doctrines with real-world anecdotes from practice, these speakers will provide insight into novel arguments and strategic decisions that practitioners are making to ensure the rights of those facing removal from the United States.

• Julian Bava, Staff Attorney, Massachusetts ACLU
• Annie Bright, Assistant Professor of Law, St. Mary's University School of Law
• Jonathan Vallecilla L'22, Senior Attorney, Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBar)
• Faculty Moderator: Peter Margulies, Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law
• Student Moderator: Natalia Elyd, J.D. Candidate 2027, Roger Williams University School of Law           

Removal Proceedings: A Practical Guide

10:45 - 12:00 p.m.

Professor Deborah Gonzalez will provide a practical clinic explaining the processes and mechanics of removal proceedings. This session will provide needed context for the Symposium’s discussions, as well as provide practicing attorneys with a deeper understanding of their legal ethical duties towards clients and the courts as they navigate procedural obligations. Participants will leave the session having learned about nuanced approaches to working with clients facing detention and removal proceedings.  

• Deborah Gonzalez L'07, Director of Clinical Programs, Roger Williams University School of Law

Lunch

12:00 - 12:20 p.m.

Panel 2: Collateral Consequences and an Exploration of Remedies 

12:20 - 1:20 p.m.

This panel will discuss the changes to private practice, and the increased need to focus on the consequences of immigration proceedings in the other areas of a client's life. This panel will further speak to the dramatic increase in need for representation and dive into the different ways current private practice practitioners work with diverse clients with multi-cultural and multi-lingual backgrounds; trauma-informed lawyering; complex family dynamics that span across states and countries; and how to support clients as they face unprecedented hardships and barriers to justice under the law.

• Joceline Rocha Andrade L'14, Partner and Owner, Andrade, Barbosa, & Santos, LLC (ABSLaw, LLC)
• Hans Bremer L'08, Attorney, Bremer Law & Associates
• Kylie Lovett L'21, Chief Legal Counsel, R.I. Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III
• Zachary Lyons L'17, Lead Attorney, Lyons Legal Group
• Faculty Moderator: Dr. Taino Palermo, Clinical Professor of Law & Director of the Business Law Clinic, Roger Williams University School of Law
• Student Moderator: Elias Elcock, J.D. Candidate 2027, Roger Williams University School of Law

Panel 3: Representation Matters: Counsel and Access to Justice in Immigration Proceedings

1:25 - 2:25 p.m.

This panel will focus on legislative efforts in New England, coupled with the work of public interest organizations, aimed to guarantee access to justice and the right to counsel in removal proceedings. The panelists will address the role local and state governments can play in responding to the absence of federal protection of civil rights in immigration proceedings. This panel will also address the role that diversity, equity and inclusion play in their everyday work and their organization’s missions, highlighting the need to recognize, navigate and serve complex multi-racial and multi-cultural dynamics. Finally, these panelists will explain how they navigate their moral and profession duties towards clients, their organizations, the courts and the legislative arm of the United States government. 

• Juan E. Bedoya, Staff Attorney, Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island
• Daniela Hargus, Detention Staff Attorney, PAIR Project (Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project)
• Jennifer Klein, Director of the Immigration Impact Unit (IIU), Committee for Public Counsel Services
• Yoana Kuzmova,MACI Senior Staff Attorney, Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
• Faculty Moderator: Professor Nicole P. Dyszlewski, Professor of Law & Assistant Dean of Curricular Innovation, Roger Williams University School of Law
• Student Moderator: Alana Quashie, J.D. Candidate 2027, Roger Williams University School of Law 

Panel 4: Immigration Enforcement and the Courts

2:35 - 3:55 p.m.

This panel of judges will examine how increased immigration enforcement has affected litigation across a broad swathe of legal fields. The discussion will explore how immigration consequences and heightened enforcement activity have intersected with matters that are not traditionally viewed as immigration cases, influencing the experiences of both the litigant and the attorney. Drawing on their perspectives from the bench, panelists will discuss how increased enforcement can shape individuals’ access to and participation in the court system. Lastly, panelists will dive into the professional duties towards each other, clients, and the courts.

• The Hon. Allison D. Burroughs, U.S. District Judge, District of Massachusetts
• The Hon. Mary S. McElroy, U.S. District Judge, District of Rhode Island
• The Hon. Patricia A. Sullivan, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of Rhode Island (Ret.)
• Faculty Moderator: Natasha Varyani, Professor of Law & Director of the Institute for Race and the Law, Roger Williams University School of Law
• Student Moderator: Cassie Pay, J.D. Candidate 2028, Roger Williams University School of Law

Meet the Speakers

Joceline Rocha Andrade L'14

Partner and Owner, Andrade, Barbosa, & Santos, LLC (ABSLaw, LLC)

Joceline Rocha Andrade is an accomplished immigration attorney with extensive experience on both sides of immigration proceedings. Her practice focuses primarily on removal defense, where she provides strategic and compassionate representation to individuals and families navigating complex immigration challenges.

An immigrant herself, Attorney Andrade was born in Cape Verde and brings a personal understanding of the struggles and hopes that define the immigrant experience. Her background inspires her dedication to defending the rights of those seeking safety, stability, and opportunity in the United States.

Attorney Andrade earned her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2014. She is licensed to practice law in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and before the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Before entering private practice, Attorney Andrade served at the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in Dallas, Texas, where she drafted legal decisions for Immigration Judges. She later spent three years with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an Assistant Chief Counsel, gaining invaluable insight into the government’s approach to immigration enforcement and litigation.

Julian Bava

Staff Attorney, Massachusetts ACLU

Julian Bava is a staff attorney at the ACLU of Massachusetts, where he works on litigation to advance immigrants’ rights. Julian was previously a legal fellow with ACLUM. Julian is a graduate of Yale Law School and Stanford University. 

Juan E. Bedoya

Staff Attorney, Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island

Juan E. Bedoya is a Staff Attorney at the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island (LCRI). He began his career as a Skadden Fellow at the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project, representing noncitizens in removal proceedings and before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He then clerked for Judge Denise J. Casper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and Judge O. Rogeriee Thompson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Most recently, he worked as a Litigation Staff Attorney at the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), where he worked on litigation advancing immigrants’ rights. Juan earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College and his J.D. from the New York University School of Law. He is a native Rhode Islander and fluent in Spanish.

Hans J. Bremer L'08

Bremer Law & Associates

Hans J. Bremer, Esq., is a highly respected attorney based in Providence, Rhode Island. As the founder of Bremer Law & Associates, he applies his expertise across immigration law, criminal defense, and family law to provide comprehensive and client-centered legal representation. Hans holds a B.A in English Literature and Spanish from the University of Utah, which he completed in 2006. In 2008, he earned his J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law.

He has been numerously recognized for his integrity and commitment to justice. In 2009, the RWU School of Law awarded him as “Pro Bono Collaborative Award Winner,” for promoting justice for the underrepresented through the PBC Women’s Center RI Project. Four years later, the RWU School of Law recognized him as the “2013 Public Interest Alumni,” honoring his continued commitment to promoting justice in underrepresented communities. In 2015, the Mayor of the City of Providence, Jorge Elorza, presented Hans with the “Citizen Citation,” commending his leadership and support toward the Guatemalan community. In 2024, the Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island presented him with “Distinguished Service Award.” Recently, the Lawyers Committee for Rhode Island has awarded Hans as “2026 Habeas Hero” for his dedication to the committee, upholding and protecting those who have been violated by government actions.

For the past 17 years, Hans has demonstrated his commitment to justice by serving immigrant communities throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. During his career, Hans has built a reputation for delivering excellent legal representation, serving the needs of his clients with dedication and reuniting families. Supported by a dedicated and trusted team, Hans provides knowledgeable, compassionate advocacy to individuals and families navigating complex legal matters amid changing administrations.

Annie Bright

Assistant Professor of Law, St. Mary's University School of Law

Annie Bright is an assistant professor of law at St. Mary's University School of Law, where she teaches Constitutional Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law, and a seminar on Fundamental Rights in Immigration Contexts. She co-runs the Journeys Project, a multi-year, multi-country research project exploring the financial and legal journeys of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers through both human stories and empirical research. Prior to joining the faculty, Annie practiced immigration law in San Antonio, representing both detained and non-detained immigrants in affirmative processes and defense litigation in South Texas. She earned her J.D. summa cum laude from St. Mary's University School of Law, and holds a master's in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. She received her B.A. in Comparative Politics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

The Hon. Allison D. Burroughs

U.S. District Judge, District of Massachusetts

Judge Burroughs graduated from Middlebury College in 1983 and received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1989.  Prior to joining the bench, Judge Burroughs was a partner in the Boston law firm of Nutter McClennen & Fish where she focused on complex    litigation and white collar criminal defense.  Before entering private practice, she served in the Boston and Philadelphia offices of the United States Attorney's Office. During her sixteen years as an Assistant United States Attorney, Judge Burroughs investigated and prosecuted organized crime and drug cases as well as sophisticated white collar and economic crimes and computer crimes.  Judge Burroughs was lucky enough to begin her legal career as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Norma L. Shapiro in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Judge Burroughs serves on the board of directors for Agassiz Village, an overnight camp for inner city youth that is near and dear to her heart. 

Judge Burroughs was appointed to the Federal Bench by Barack Obama and assumed her duties in early 2015. 

Deborah Gonzalez

Director of Clinical Programs, Roger Williams University School of Law

Deborah Gonzalez is the Director of Clinical Programs. Student Attorneys in the Immigration Clinic are licensed to practice law under Deborah’s license pursuant Article II, Rule 9 Supreme Court Rules. Student Attorneys represent indigent immigrants who need assistance in defending against removal proceedings or obtaining lawful permanent residence through some form of relief before the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service. Student Attorneys learn substantive immigration law in the Immigration Clinic, as well as lawyering skills such as interviewing, counselling and litigation practice in the Immigration context. 

Prior to becoming the Director of the Immigration Clinic, Deborah was a partner at Gonzalez Law Offices, Inc., since 2008. Deborah’s practice included defending immigrant clients in the Immigration Court in Boston, MA, against removal by seeking relief in the form of cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, waivers, asylum, and/or termination of removal. Deborah’s practice also included representing immigrant clients before the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service in an affirmative setting, where she sought relief for her clients by way of adjustment of status through VAWA, SIJ or family based petitions, as well as asylum and naturalization. Moreover, Deborah’s practice included employment immigration law, where she represented various foreign nationals employed at the University of Rhode Island, Brown University, Gordon School, Alex and Ani and Lifespan, and others. While in private practice, Deborah also practiced family law and criminal law.

Daniela Hargus

Detention Staff Attorney, PAIR Project (Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project)

Daniela Hargus, Esq. is a detention staff attorney at PAIR, specializing in custody proceedings and removal defense for detained noncitizens in New England. She has served on PAIR's detention team since 2021. Daniela holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and earned her Bachelor's degree at Boston College. Prior to law school, Dani served as an AmeriCorps Fellow at Project Citizenship, assisting legal permanent residents to overcome the legal barriers to U.S. citizenship.

Jennifer Klein

Director, Immigration Impact Unit (IIU), Committee for Public Counsel Services

Jennifer Klein is Director of the Immigration Impact Unit (IIU) at the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the Massachusetts public defender’s office. She joined the IIU in 2010 and has devoted her career to helping to build the IIU into a nationwide leader at the intersection of public defense and immigration law. Over 15 years at CPCS, Jen has assisted thousands of Massachusetts defense attorneys in meeting their obligations under Padilla v. Kentucky and has been a staunch advocate against the criminalization of immigrants and the exclusion of system-involved individuals from immigration representation and community resources. Serving as counsel on significant appellate cases and co-authoring amicus briefs for many others, Jen has advanced some of the most expansive rights in the country for noncitizens in the criminal system. Jen became Director of the IIU in 2024 and in 2025, Jen realized a career-long dream by securing CPCS’s role in the MACI program – a state funded universal representation program for indigent immigrants in deportation proceedings. Jen is committed to ensuring that the new program operates with a true public defender ethos and continues to be available to CPCS clients. 

Jen is also a dedicated educator and mentor. She has developed trainings for attorneys and law students, has served as an adjunct professor at Boston College, and has been a speaker and panelist at numerous professional events. She has also authored several publications on criminal-immigration law, appeared in the media, and testified before the Massachusetts State Legislature in support of policies that protect immigrant communities. She holds an AB in International Studies from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law.

Yoana Kuzmova

MACI Senior Staff Attorney, Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)

Yoana Kuzmova joined MIRA in 2025 as a Senior Staff Attorney at the recently launched Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI). 

Yoana brings experience representing clients in immigration proceedings and leading advocacy projects across national and international forums. In direct client representation, she previously served as a bilingual staff attorney at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, providing legal services to survivors of sexual violence, and as an immigration attorney at the Northeast Justice Center, where she represented unaccompanied minors, detained clients, and survivors of violence.

More recently, Yoana has taught at the Boston University School of Law International Human Rights Clinic, supervising law students’ projects and teaching trauma-informed client counseling, cross-cultural competency, and coalition building in human rights movements. Her research focuses on citizenship rights, statelessness, and immigration detention in the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa. Yoana helped co-found and chairs the board of trustees of the MENA Statelessness Network (Hawiati), whose mission is advocate for the rights of stateless persons across the region and build solidarity among groups of persons deprived of citizenship. 

Yoana holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, an M.A. in International Relations from the BU Pardee School of Global Studies. A native of Bulgaria and speaker of Bulgarian, Yoana is also fluent in Spanish and eagerly learning Arabic and Russian.  

Kylie Lovett L'21

Chief Legal Counsel, Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III

Kylie Lovett currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel to Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone III, where she advises on legal and legislative matters, assists in the development and drafting of legislation, and works with lawmakers and stakeholders to advance policy initiatives addressing issues facing Rhode Islanders.

Kylie began her legal career with the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office, first as a student attorney and later as a full-time staff attorney. During her time as a public defender, she represented individuals in Rhode Island’s District Courts before advancing to the probation violation calendar and ultimately the felony trial calendar, gaining extensive courtroom experience and firsthand insight into the intersection of constitutional rights, the criminal justice system, and public policy.

In 2024, Kylie transitioned from the courtroom to the Rhode Island Senate, initially serving as a Policy Analyst for the Senate Judiciary Committee before advancing to Policy Director. In that role, she oversaw the Senate’s policy office and worked closely with legislators and staff to develop, evaluate, and advance legislative initiatives across a broad range of policy areas.

Drawing on her experience in both criminal defense and legislative policymaking, Kylie brings a distinct perspective to discussions surrounding constitutional protections, criminal justice reform, and the role of state governments in safeguarding individual rights. Her work reflects a particular interest in the intersection of federal and state authority, including the ability of state legislatures to respond to emerging legal challenges and strengthen protections under state law.

Kylie earned her Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law.

Zachary Lyons L'17

Lead Attorney, Lyons Legal Group

Zachary Lyons is an immigration attorney based in Providence, Rhode Island and the founder of Lyons Legal Group, a firm dedicated to providing strategic, client-focused immigration counsel for individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and businesses. His practice is built around delivering efficient, white-glove immigration services that prioritize clarity, responsiveness, and long-term outcomes.

The Hon. Mary S. McElroy

U.S. District Judge, District of Rhode Island

A graduate of Providence College and Suffolk University Law School, Judge Mary McElory began her legal career as a law clerk to Justice Donald F. Shea of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.  She then served for twelve years as an Assistant Rhode Island Public Defender before serving six years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. She returned to state service when appointed as the Rhode Island Public Defender and remained until her confirmation to the federal bench in 2019.  She will become chief judge of the District of Rhode Island in December 2026.

The Hon. Patricia A. Sullivan

U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of Rhode Island (Ret.)

Patricia A. Sullivan served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court, District of Rhode Island, from 2012 until 2026.  Throughout most of her judicial tenure, Judge Sullivan played an integral role in the District’s HOPE (Helping Offenders Prepare for reEntry) Court, an alternative supervision reentry court program focused on supporting individuals returning to the community after incarceration.  As a Magistrate Judge, Judge Sullivan has conducted bail and detention hearings, including hearings to set conditions of release; she has also conducted hearings regarding violations of bail and supervision conditions.  Judge Sullivan retired from full-time service and became a recalled judge in 2026. 

Prior to her appointment to the federal bench, Judge Sullivan was a private litigator at Edwards & Angell, LLP for 34 years.  She was a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Roger Williams University School of Law from 2013 through 2025, including service as Treasurer from 2022 until 2025.  She has also served as Adjunct Faculty at Roger Williams University School of Law. and as the chair, co-chair or member of numerous judicial (national, regional and local), community and bar association committees.  She is the recipient of the Ronald McDonald House of Providence Award for “Exceptional Leadership in Our Community” and the Federal Bar Association’s Elaine R. “Boots” Fisher public service. 

Judge Sullivan graduated from Wellesley College with honors in 1973, and Georgetown University Law Center magna cum laude in 1978. She served as articles editor of the Georgetown Law Review.

Jonathan Vallecilla L'22

Senior Attorney, Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBar)

Jonathan Vallecilla immigrated to the United States at the age of four and was placed in removal proceedings at age twelve, an experience that sparked his interest in the law and inspired him to become an attorney. He graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2022 and was selected as an Immigrant Justice Corps Fellow that same year. During the fellowship, Jonathan worked at the American Bar Association’s South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) in the Rio Grande Valley. For his first two years, he represented adult non-detained clients in asylum and removal defense matters and participated in the Immigration Court Helpdesk at the Harlingen Immigration Court. He continued working at ProBAR after his fellowship ended and subsequently spent two years representing detained unaccompanied migrant children in immigration proceedings.

Meet the Faculty Moderators

Nicole P. Dyszlewski

Professor of Law & Assistant Dean of Curricular Innovation, Roger Williams University School of Law

Nicole P. Dyszlewski serves as the Assistant Dean for Curricular Innovation and Professor at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Everywhere she goes she brings bold ideas, critical thinking, and a serious commitment to justice (with just a hint of sparkle). Nicole holds a J.D. from Boston University School of Law, a B.A. from Hofstra University, and an M.L.I.S. from the University of Rhode Island. She’s a member of the bar in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Nicole’s work centers on building a more inclusive and equitable legal system. Her areas of focus include DEIB pedagogy in law schools, mass incarceration, and access to information—topics where she brings both a lawyer’s insightful analysis and a librarian’s relentless curiosity.

Nicole is the co-editor of the Integrating Doctrine & Diversity book series, the host of the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity webinar series, and a co-author of the recently published casebook, Race and the Foundations of American Law.

Nicole is deeply involved in, and committed to, the work of the Antiracist Development Institute (ADI) at Penn State Dickinson Law. She is the co-editor and a contributor to Volume 5 of the ADI’s Building An Antiracist Law School, Legal Academy, and Legal Profession book series. She is a senior systems designer and teacher in the ADI’s Antiracist Leadership Certificate program.

She is also the co-host of the Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded podcast and was one of the founders and leaders of the Rhode Island Freedom to Read Coalition.

Peter Margulies

Professor of Law, Roger Williams University School of Law

As an expert in National Security Law, Professor Peter Margulies focuses on the delicate balance between liberty, equality, and security in issues involving law and terrorism.  Professor Margulies has written almost a dozen articles discussing the War on Terror.  He currently works with RWU Law Professor Jared Goldstein, along with litigators from the law firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge, in representing two Afghan detainees.  Professor Margulies led a national conference entitled “Legal Dilemmas in A Dangerous World: Law, Terrorism and National Security” held at RWU.

Professor Margulies also has an extensive background in immigration law and has represented Haitian refugees and conducted outreach to community legal service providers. 

Peter Marguiles teaches Immigration Law, National Security Law and Professional Responsibility.  He has filed amicus briefs in high-visibility cases with the U.S. Supreme Court and has been frequently cited in the New York Times, the National Law Journal and other media outlets.

Dr. Taino Palermo

Clinical Professor of Law & Director of the Business Law Clinic, Roger Williams University School of Law

Professor Taino J. Palermo is the Director of the Business Law Clinic, where he supervises student attorneys providing free transactional legal services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. His teaching and practice focus on transactional lawyering, nonprofit and business law, federal Indian law, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous rights.

Professor Palermo is also the Co-Founder of the Center for Indigenous Rights, where he directs legal services and serves as lead counsel assisting Indigenous communities with legal and policy matters before state, federal, and international bodies. He also serves as Faculty Advisor for the American Indian Law Student Association. Before joining the full-time faculty, he practiced at Barton Gilman LLP, advising schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and other institutional clients on education law, nonprofit law, business operations, governance, and general counsel matters. He previously served as a judicial extern to the Honorable William E. Smith of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Before entering legal practice, Professor Palermo worked extensively in higher education, community development, organizational leadership, and program design. He previously served as a Program Director at Roger Williams University and is a founding faculty member of College Unbound. His scholarship examines federal Indian law, tribal sovereignty, Indigenous land rights, constitutional law, and the relationship between law and social institutions.

Natasha Varyani

Professor of Law & Director of the Institute for Race and the Law, Roger Williams University School of Law

Professor Natasha Varyani, a dynamic legal scholar, has joined the faculty at Roger Williams University School of Law.  With an impressive background in private practice, specializing in complex tax planning and litigation for nearly a decade, Professor Varyani brings a wealth of expertise to her teaching. Her roots in practice are central to her teaching theory and inform her methods in preparing her students to be ready for the realities of the profession upon graduation. 

Professor Varyani began teaching full time in 2012 and has since then evolved as a scholar and a member of the legal academy. Having written on issues related to multi-jurisdictional tax, her scholarship has expanded to examine the way that systems and structures were constructed and function to organize groups based on various facets of their identities. Professor Varyani has been exploring ideas around Colonialism its relationship to corporate law and has worked with scholars in India to develop a course that she has taught at Jindal Global Law School in Sonipat, India and in the Hague on this topic.

Throughout her career, Professor Varyani has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting diversity of all types in the legal profession and in the legal academy. She has actively engaged with affinity bar associations at both local and national levels, assuming leadership roles to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession. In addition, she has collaborated closely with various organizations in her community, including the Boston Bar Association and the Boston Public School system, contributing her expertise to help change the face of the legal profession.

Professor Varyani serves on the Tax Expenditure Review Commission for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an appointee of the Governor of the Commonwealth. This Commission is defined by statute and made up of elected leaders in the Commonwealth defined by statute and additional members who may be appointed by the Governor for their expertise. Because of her knowledge and experience in working in this area of law, Professor Varyani is happy to contribute to the work of this commission in reviewing tax expenditures and producing a report for the state legislature.

Meet the Student Moderators

Cassie Pay

J.D. Candidate 2028, Roger Williams University School of Law

Cassie is from Berkley, Massachusetts. She graduated summa cum laude from Roger Williams University in 2025 with a double major in Legal Studies and Political Science. At Roger Williams University School of Law, she is the Vice President of the LGBTQ+ Alliance, a Teaching Assistant for Civil Procedure, and the 2L Representative for Family Law Society. Cassie spent the summer after her 1L year as a Judicial Intern at the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Outside of law school, she enjoys reading, watching musical theatre productions, and spending time with her friends, family, and cat.

Natalia Elyd

J.D. Candidate 2027 at Roger Williams University School of Law

Natalia Elyd is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law and is originally from the border town of Laredo, Texas. She graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a B.B.A. in Management and a certificate in Legal Studies.

Before law school, Natalia worked at BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys in San Antonio and interned at an immigration law firm in Laredo, assisting with immigration matters, including bond applications. During law school, she participated in an ASB placement with the West Palm Beach Public Defender’s Office and interned with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. She also completed her upper-level writing requirement under Professor Peter Margulies, researching immigration detention under Sections 1225 and 1226 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Natalia currently serves as a Rule 9 student attorney through RWU Law’s Criminal Defense Clinic, representing clients in criminal matters. She is also a member of the Trial Team, Secretary of the Criminal Law Society, a 3L Representative for the Latino Law Students Association and Women’s Law Society, and a First-Generation Mentor.

Having grown up along the U.S.–Mexico border, Natalia has a personal connection to the challenges immigrant communities face in navigating the legal system. Her experiences have shaped her commitment to making legal representation more accessible to underserved and Spanish-speaking communities. She is particularly interested in the intersection of immigration and criminal law and hopes to return to Texas to advocate for individuals navigating both systems. 

Elias Elcock

J.D. Candidate 2027, Roger Williams University School of Law

Elias is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. He graduated summa cum laude from SUNY New Paltz with a major in Relational Communications. His legal interests include education law, public interest advocacy, and community-centered legal work. Throughout law school, Elias has gained experience across several areas of legal practice spanning civil litigation, corporate compliance, and public interest law. He currently works as a law clerk at Boyle Shaughnessy Law.

Beyond his professional experiences, Elias has remained actively involved in the law school community through leadership and service. He previously served as President of the Black Law Students Association and contributed to Roger Williams University School of Law's Artificial Intelligence Task Force. His involvement in public interest initiatives and clinical opportunities reflects his commitment to using the law as a tool to advocate for individuals and communities. Looking ahead, Elias hopes to build a legal career focused on education law and public interest advocacy, particularly in Massachusetts.

Outside of school, Elias enjoys playing the cello, coaching lacrosse, and spending time with his dog.
 

Registration

General Admission $50 per person
Non-Profit/Government $25 per person
RWU Law New Alumni (Classes of 2021-2026) $25 per person
Student $15 per person
RWU Law Student Complimentary

All registrations include lunch and Rhode Island MCLE credits as applicable.

Register - November 6 - Law Review Symposium

Rhode Island MCLE Credit

This program has been approved for Four (4) Rhode Island MCLE credits, including Three (3) DEI credits and One (1) Ethics credit.

RWU Law Campus Parking

All attendees should enter the Roger Williams University Campus through the North Entrance and park in Lot D. RWU Parking Map.

Night work will begin on the Mount Hope Bridge on October 19 and continue until November 6, 2026.  During this time, alternating lane closures will occur from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Monday through Friday.  Alternating lane closures will continue during the day from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.

Special Accommodations

Persons who, because of a special need or condition, would like to request an accommodation for this event should contact the Office of Law Programs & Initiatives at lawevents@rwu.edu, as soon as possible, but no later than 72 business hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made. 

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Symposium cancellations received by Thursday, October 29, 2026 are eligible to receive a full refund less a $10 administrative fee. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Cancellations are accepted via email at lawevents@rwu.edu.

Questions | Editor-in-Chief, Roger Williams University Law Review
Carter Hazzard | lawreview@g.rwu.edu