CLE Program - Communication, Culture, and Change: Working with Law Students and New Attorneys

This one hour online Zoom CLE program explores generational diversity as a core dimension of inclusion in legal workplaces. Age shapes communication styles, expectations about feedback, approaches to technology, attitudes toward work life boundaries, and perceptions of authority. When unexamined, these differences can create friction between experienced attorneys and the law students or newer lawyers they supervise. When understood, these differences can strengthen professional culture and service.

Using diversity defined as the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance related to age, among other aspects of a person, this session examines how generational differences influence communication norms, mentorship expectations, digital workflows, and professional identity formation.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST

Participants will gain practical tools for:

• Improving communication across generational lines
• Intentional planning for necessary worker accommodations
• Using on-boarding to create an inclusive environment from the start of employment
• Integrating online workflows in ways that support inclusion rather than exclusion
• Setting expectations transparently for students and newer attorneys
• Creating developmentally supportive environments using organization and expectations
• Leveraging generational diversity as a strength in service and innovation
• Planning for first generation and historically underrepresented attorneys joining the workplace

The program is designed for supervising attorneys, partners, judges, administrators, and anyone working with law students or early career lawyers.

Register - April 14 - RWU Law CLE Program

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Melissa Arias L'26
Law Student
Roger Williams University School of Law

Melissa is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law, graduating in May 2026. She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross, where she double majored in Classics and Political Science. As a Latina and a first-generation American, college graduate, and law student, she brings a unique perspective on navigating professional environments and bridging generational and cultural differences in the legal field.

She participated in the Corporate Counsel Externship Program (Fall 2025) and Advanced Corporate Counsel Externship Program (Spring 2026) with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, where she gained experience working with in-house counsel on legal research, contracts, and supporting day-to-day legal operations. Following graduation, Melissa will join Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island in a counsel role. 

Suzanne Harrington-Steppen
Clinical Professor of Law, Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs
Roger Williams University School of Law

Suzanne Harrington-Steppen is the Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs and the Director of Summer Public Interest Externship Program. Suzanne received a B.A. in Political Science from Boston College and a J.D. from City University of New York School of Law. Prior to joining the Law School as the Project Coordinator for the Pro Bono Collaborative, Suzanne completed a two-year federal clerkship with the Honorable Kevin Nathaniel Fox, United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York. Prior to law school, Suzanne worked as a policy analyst for the California Food Policy Advocates and as a community organizer for the Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness.

Olivia Milonas
Director, Corporate Counsel Clinical Externship Program and Government Clinical Externship Program
Roger Williams University School of Law

Olivia Milonas worked as an associate with Brown, Raysman, Millstein, Felder & Steiner LLP after her graduation from New York University School of Law. Olivia is currently the Director of Corporate Counsel Clinical Externship Program and Government Clinical Externship Program at Roger Williams University School of Law.

Simone Tubman, Esq.
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Diversity, Equity Compliance, and Title VI Coordinator,
Providence College

Simone Tubman, J.D., is the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Diversity and Equity Compliance, & Title VI and Title IX Coordinator. A proud alumna of Providence College, she earned a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology in 2014; and then went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. Simone is a licensed attorney in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts and has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Roger Williams University School of Law; teaching a class in Race and Law.

As a former litigator and current higher education professional, Simone brings a depth of experience to the Division of Institutional Diversity and the Office of Equity Compliance having knowledge and expertise in policy and procedural development, civil rights compliance, restorative justice practices and social justice mediation. Simone also has experience in developing equitable initiatives, diverse and inclusive programs, and various professional and educational learning opportunities.

Simone has a deep commitment to Providence College and its success in advancing social justice, equity, access and inclusivity.

MEET THE MODERATOR

Nicole P. Dyszlewski 
Assistant Dean of Academic Innovation, Roger Williams University School of Law

Nicole’s work centers on building a more inclusive and equitable legal system. Her areas of focus include DEIB pedagogy in law schools, mass incarceration, and access to information— topics where she brings both a lawyer’s insightful analysis and a librarian’s relentless curiosity. Nicole is the co-editor of the Integrating Doctrine & Diversity book series, the host of the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity webinar series, and a co-author of the recently published casebook, Race and the Foundations of American Law.

Rhode Island MCLE Credit
This program is pending approval for one DEI Rhode Island MCLE Credit.

CLE Program Registration
$40                              Registration/One RI MCLE DEI Credit

$25                              RWU Law Alumni

$25                              Non-profit/Government

Complimentary           RWU Law Students

Complimentary           RWU Law Faculty & Administration

Cancellation & Refund Policy
RWU Law CLE Program cancellations received by Tuesday, April 7, 2026 are eligible to receive a full refund less a $5 administrative fee. Cancellations received after the stated deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Cancellations are accepted via email at lawevents@rwu.edu