Shannon Heery
Shannon HeeryAssociate Professor of Law
Education
J.D., Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
B.A., University of North Carolina
Shannon Heery joined the Roger Williams University School of Law faculty in July 2025. Prior to joining RWU Law, Professor Heery taught Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence at Vermont Law and Graduate School. She currently serves as the Reporter for the Advisory Committee to the Vermont Supreme Court on the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
She was previously a felony trial attorney with the Baltimore City Maryland Office of the Public Defender and a senior trial attorney with Brooklyn Defender Services in Brooklyn, New York. While at Brooklyn Defender Services, she co-founded the DNA and Forensics Division that is now a leader in challenging the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal trials.
Professor Heery received her J.D., cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Close Course Type DescriptionsCourse 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.