When Ben Peters L'25 first arrived at RWU Law, he didn't know a single person. And that was the point. Having spent his entire life in West Virginia, Peters came to Rhode Island to expand his horizons in a different region and was also drawn to the joint degree program which offered a Masters in Marine Affairs at the University of Rhode Island.
After ten years in sales in the automotive industry, Brandon Potter L‘25 decided it was time for a change. Wanting to make an impact on his local community, the Cranston native decided to run for State Representative for the people of District 16.
Susannah Johnson L'25 followed a non-traditional path to law school, serving as a Surface Warfare Officer for eight years before enrolling at RWU Law. After years of service in the United States Navy, she has found a new mission: using the law to serve her community.
Roger Williams University School of Law has been ranked No. 11 in the nation for the percentage of graduates pursuing careers in public interest law, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2025 rankings , part of Best Law Schools.
The ocean holds a special place in the heart of current 3L and avid surfer Julia Meskis ‘25. In fact, her love of the waters has completely shaped her career goals, as she plans to ultimately use her law degree to protect the ocean for future generations.
Coached by Professor Jonathan Gutoff and Adjunct Professor Brody Karn L’19, RWU Law’s 3L and 2L teams stood out in the 2025 Judge John R. Brown Admiralty Moot Court Competition, held in New Orleans, LA.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, the Roger Williams University School of Law hosted its annual Champions for Justice event that brought together members of the Rhode Island legal community to honor RWU Law alumni and organizations making significant contributions to social justice.
Through the images in his memoir, environmental lawyer and Brightline executive director Eddie Ahn, showed how over time he began to see his life in different shades of colors, a mix of uncertainty and transformation throughout his journey.
Roger Williams University School of Law welcomes the community to attend a conversation with Eddie Ahn, Executive Director at Brightline Defense, an accomplished environmental lawyer, and graphic memoirist, on Thursday, March 20, at 2:45 p.m.
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.
