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Law students with right hands raised taking oath of professionalism

A New Class of Changemakers

Suzi Morales

Students in the Class of 2028 come from a range of backgrounds and experience. Thirty-four percent come from underrepresented racial backgrounds, a new high for RWU Law. The new class also includes 30% of students who were first generation college students and 87% who are the first in their families to attend law school. Eighteen percent identify as LGBTQ+, the most ever.

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Professor Jamie Gau photo with arms crossed in front wearing a suit.

Spotlight on Trial Advocacy with Jamie Gau, L’16

Helga Melgar

What distinguishes RWU Law’s Trial Advocacy Program? According to Professor Gau, the Trial Advocacy Program doesn’t just teach students how to advocate—it immerses them fully in the practice.

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John A. Dorsey L'10

John A. Dorsey L'10 Selected for U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Rhode Island

Helga Melgar

Chief Judge David J. Barron of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit announced on June 5 that John A. Dorsey L'10 has been selected to fill the upcoming vacancy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Rhode Island that will result from Judge Diane Finkle's retirement on September 8, 2025.

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Deborah Gonzales wearing judicial robe in court with US flags behind her

Up for a Challenge

Suzi Morales

Deborah Gonzales L'07 began her legal career on the cleaning staff. “I’ve had every position, from the cleaning person, to the receptionist, to the secretary, to the paralegal, to the lawyer, to the partner, to the law professor, and now the judge,” Gonzalez says.

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Book cover of Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Beyond the First Year

RWU Law Faculty Honored with National Award for Advancing Diversity in Legal Education

Helga Melgar

Nicole P. Dyszlewski, professor and assistant dean for curricular innovation, and Suzanne Harrington-Steppen, clinical professor and associate director of pro bono programs, were recently named recipients of the 2025 Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award from the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The award honors their co-editorship of the groundbreaking book Integrating Doctrine & Diversity: Beyond the First Year.

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Female law student smiling at the camera

Destined for Law: From Legal Dream to Valedictorian

Jane Govednik

For RWU Law Class of 2025 valedictorian Ashley Kaplan, attending law school always felt like destiny. “Becoming a lawyer was one of my childhood dreams, and as my grandfather always wanted a lawyer in the family – and I am a smidge argumentative – it felt kismet for me to go to law school,” she says.

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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.