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Three women faculty members--left wearing floral blue dress with glasses, middle wearing an off white suit jacket, right wearing a bright red dress and eyeglasses with the School of Law building sign visible in the background.

New Book on Race and Law Gives Context, Fills Gaps

Suzi Morales

The first edition of “Race and the Foundations of American Law,” a new casebook by a group of Roger Williams School of Law professors, makes the resources from RWU Law’s first-of-its-kind course on the same subject available to schools and students around the U.S. and sheds light on the role of race and racism in everything from property ownership to the child welfare system.

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Close up shot of Professor Kogan with gray hair and beard, wearing a suit.

Remembering Bruce I. Kogan

Helga Melgar

Roger Williams University School of Law mourns the passing of Professor Bruce I. Kogan, a founding faculty member and one of the school's most influential leaders. From the institution's earliest days, Professor Kogan shaped the programs that continue to distinguish it today. He created the externship program, established the clinical law program, and built pathways for students to gain hands-on experience while serving the community. His work was recognized in 2018 with the creation of the Bruce I. Kogan Distinguished Service Professorship.

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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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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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Nicole Dyszlewski accepting the ADI Disruptive Collaborator Award

Disrupting Legal Education for Equity

Danna Lorch

"We are a small law school, and the only one in Rhode Island, but we are punching above our weight in the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging space," Nicole Dyszlewski said.

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Professor Natasha Varyani

No Outsiders in RWU Law Professor’s Classroom

Suzi Morales

As a law professor, Varyani realized that a lack of representation in legal textbooks reflects disparities in who has access to the courts, particularly the appellate courts that make the written decisions that appear in law books. With a new book on systemic racism in property law, Varyani tackles the problem and helps other professors do the same.

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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.