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Isiah DiPina L’27: From Personal Experience to Policy Change

Jane Govednik

“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.

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Students participating in the Civil Rights trip seated for a photo with The Legacy Museum on the background.

From Textbooks to Truth: A Civil Rights Journey

Naomi Zhang L'27

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.

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A small group of people standing up, gathered around in discussion, at a beach.

RWU Law Opens Coastal Resilience Clinic to Visiting Students for Summer 2026

Helga Melgar

This summer marks a significant step forward for RWU Law's Coastal Resilience Law and Policy Clinic. Now entering its fourth year, the clinic is expanding access beyond RWU Law’s student body. For the first time, visiting students from ABA-accredited law schools will be able to join RWU Law students in this immersive, four-credit experience.

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Ahmir Kenyatta L’27: Defining His Own Path as a 2L Transfer

Jane Govednik

Since arriving for his 2L year in the fall, Kenyatta has been deliberate about building the skills and experience necessary to pursue his goal of becoming a Special Victims Unit prosecutor. He says RWU Law’s emphasis on experiential learning, mentorship, and community engagement has allowed him to shape his legal education in alignment with that purpose.

Graphic artwork of the CLE with Lady justice on the left and the logo of the program on the right.

Expanding Access and Equity: RWU Law’s CLE Series Supports Rhode Island Attorneys

Jane Govednik

RWU Law has launched a new online Continuing Legal Education series designed not only to meet Rhode Island’s evolving CLE requirements for attorneys, but to serve as a resource for lawyers across the state. This mission-driven initiative reflects the law school’s broader commitment to public service and legal education, not only for students and alumni, but for the legal community.

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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.