Trial Team

The Trial Team at RWU Law provides an invaluable experience for students who have the requisite talent, dedication, and interest in courtroom litigation.  Students are taught not only how to think like trial attorneys, but how to be trial attorneys.  Each year, team members compete in regional and national trial competitions that provide an opportunity to test their skills against law students from around the country.  RWU Law has a history of excellence at these competitions.    

Students compete for a place on the Trial Team through a tryout process.  Tryouts are held during the fall semester.  The tryout process is open to 2L and 3L students.  The Trial Team for any given year is determined by the coach’s assessment of each student’s performance in the tryout and, where relevant, the student’s past performance on Trial Team.

The RWU Law Trial Team has benefitted from great coaching over the years, including coaches who are 1) members of the full-time faculty, teach trial advocacy and related courses, and have considerable trial experience, and 2) experienced and highly-skilled trial judges who serve as members of our adjunct or visiting faculty.  As a result, our team members are well prepared to enter any courtroom and succeed. 

Amy Domenack
Amy Domenack is a 2L at Roger Williams School of Law. Amy is originally from Clifton, New Jersey. She graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a first generation undergraduate and law student who always had a passion to be in the courtroom. After being encouraged to try out for the Trial Team, Amy made the team as a 1L. In the spring semester of 2023, she and her teammate won the Roger Williams Trial Team Internal Competition. In addition to the Trial Team, Amy is the secretary for Family Law Society, Treasurer for MCLSA, and a Criminal Law Teaching Assistant for Professor Allen. In the future, she hopes to practice criminal defense, family law, and immigration law. Amy is excited for the new school year to compete with her teammates, represent RWU Law, and sharpen her oral advocacy skills. 

 

Aicha Elola
Aicha Elola is from Jersey City, New Jersey, and currently resides in East Providence, RI. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Peter’s University. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Aicha was invited as a guest speaker to discuss the importance of diversity in university curriculums in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additionally, she completed internships at the Hudson County Superior Court, working with Judge Venable, and at the Jersey City Reentry Program, under Former Governor of New Jersey, Jim McGreevey. In 2019, Aicha earned a Masters in Legal Studies with a concentration in criminal law from Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. During her 2L year, Aicha was awarded Best Oral Advocate at the Esther Clark internal Moot Court competition. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for the Writing Center and the Race and Foundations of Law class during the summer. Furthermore, Aicha interned at the Rhode Island Judiciary, specifically in the Family Law division. In her 3L year, Aicha plans to continue her role as a Teaching Assistant while participating in the Criminal Defense clinic and the Prosecution externship. Apart from the Trial Team, Aicha is the President of the Roger Williams School of Law Moot Court Board. Following law school, Aicha aspires to pursue a career in criminal and civil litigation.

Austin Lentz
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Austin Lentz completed undergraduate studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a degree in Physics. After graduation he worked in a number of industries ranging from electric utilities to sales. Before law school, Austin was enlisted in the United States Army, with the 82nd Airborne, and later worked in the tech industry in the Austin, Texas metroplex. At Roger Williams University, serves as the SBA Treasurer. He also thoroughly enjoyed his experiences with the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education, having participated in the Street Law, VITA, Alternative Spring Break programs. During the summer after his 1L year, Austin interned for the Honorable John J. McConnell, Jr. at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Jonte’ McKenzie
Jonte’ McKenzie is a third-year student at Roger Williams University School of Law. He is the current Research and Development Editor of Roger Williams University Law Review. Additionally, Jonte' serves as the Director of Social Action for the Northeastern region of the National Black Law Students Association and as the president of the Student Bar Association.

Jonte’ currently works as a law clerk for Bremer Law & Associates located in Providence, RI. His legal interests include crimmigration, civil litigation, and real estate law. In his free time, Jonte’ enjoys traveling, listening to music, playing tennis, learning languages, cooking, and going to the gym.

Emily Rodriguez Johnson
Emily Rodriguez Johnson grew up in the sunny region of Southern California. She pursued a degree in Psychology, complemented by a minor in Justice, at a prominent educational institution located in Washington, DC. During her first year as a law student, she actively participated in Alternative Spring Break, lending her skills to the Federal Public Defender office serving the Northern District of Texas. In her second year, she continued her commitment to public service by engaging with the Brooklyn Defenders. Prior to her second year, she had the opportunity to intern at the Rhode Island Center for Justice during the summer. As part of her most recent summer experience, she interned with The Legal Aid Society of New York, specifically focusing on supporting attorneys in their defense of clients facing homicide charges through the Homicide Defense Task Force. Additionally, she is actively involved in the Criminal Defense Clinic at RWU, and her aspirations post-law school involve providing legal representation to underprivileged individuals as a public defender. Beyond her academic pursuits, Emily serves as the Vice Chair of the Honor Board and is a valued member of the Honors Program. When she finds herself with leisure time, she enjoys playing softball alongside her peers on the RWU Law Softball team. The Trial Team has also played a significant role in her development, allowing her to refine her trial skills and learn from accomplished professionals in the field.

Andrew Varga
Andrew is a newcomer to the east coast having moved to Rhode Island from his home state of Wisconsin. He has greatly enjoyed his time here and hopes to stay nearby and practice in a strong litigation setting after graduation

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.