Symposia/Conferences

The Marine Affairs Institute sponsors speakers, symposia and interdisciplinary training programs that provide law students and practitioners alike with opportunities to meet with other marine law professionals in both formal and informal settings, and learn about recent developments in ocean and coastal law. Recent topics have included marine renewable energy, such as wind power; international cargo liability; ecosystem-based management and fisheries law.

Can Offshore Wind Development Have a Net Positive Impact on Biodiversity? Regulatory and Scientific Perspectives and Considerations

This symposium explored the concept of NPI in the ocean and near coastal environment, and ask whether and how it should be integrated into offshore wind projects in the United States.

Legal Strategies for Climate Adaptation in Coastal New England

This symposium will focus on how state and local governments in coastal New England can overcome legal barriers to climate adaptation.

Legal Aspects of Coastal Adaptation & Resilience in RI (Dec 2015)

This workshop allowed attendees to better understand the data, tools, and projects underway at the state level, and a change to discuss and exchange ideas related to how the legal community might address these topics as they evolve.

10th Marine Law Symposium (Nov 2016)

This Symposium discussed the adequacy of U.S. law and policy to prevent the creation of new marine debris and to remove debris once it is created.

9th Marine Law Symposium (Nov. 2012)

This Symposium examined the laws and policies that are implicated as climate change impacts coastal and ocean environments.

Event Archives

An archived list of past RWU Law events.

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.