JD #Changemaker Stories

2012 was an important year in immigration law, as the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program opened a new category of legal status for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. under the age of 18, so-called “Dreamers.” It was also the year Jeremy Love L’06 founded the Love Law Firm, a full-service immigration firm in Alabama. In 2024, another RWU Law graduate, Samantha Armstrong L’18 joined the firm.

Curtis R. Pouliot-Alvarez L‘15 has always been drawn to the fight against injustice. But once he saw up close how the legal system disproportionately punishes poverty and marginalized communities, he knew he wanted to dedicate his life to help those affected.

Advocating for the rights of underserved and historically excluded communities has been the driving force in Harper’s law career—indeed, it’s what led her to Roger Williams University School of Law in the first place.

Years ago, Pruett was “the guy who wouldn’t shut up in my English class.” Today, Pruett handles the malpractice litigation docket for HCA Healthcare, one of the largest for-profit healthcare systems in the U.S. He analyzes the factual and legal merits along with the insurance implications for each of the hundreds of cases his team handles.

Steven Colantuono L'03 has embraced challenges on the road to success: from nonprofits to Head Transit Lawyer . Prior to becoming the head lawyer for a state agency, Colantuono worked in small firm and solo private practice as well as for nonprofit organizations in the disability space. Throughout his career, Colantuono has been willing to take chances and change course, while always pursuing excellence no matter what the setting.

Steck cares deeply about his hometown of Torrington, Connecticut but never pictured himself running for office. "I'm not a political person," he said. Yet, when his county's longtime probate judge retired, Steck suddenly found himself campaigning for the seat–and was shocked to find he actually enjoyed the process.

Awareness of voting and election laws has increased with the rise of election-related litigation over the last few years, but RWU Law alum Maureen Wagner Vinson L'10, has been directly involved with these issues since much earlier in her career. She credits the school with upholding its commitment to diversity of opinion and civil discourse, stating that many faculty members “were always happy to debate or serve on a panel with Federalist Society speakers.”

For Kevin Olasanoye L‘12, the belief in the government’s ability to fundamentally create positive change for the people it serves is one of his core tenets. In fact, it’s a belief that has shaped his career and led him to pursue a career in politics.

Nelson-Davies was ten years old when the civil war began in her native Liberia. Before the war, she lived a comfortable life as a middle-class school child. The war changed everything.

Terrence Haas L‘07 is an adventurer. In his twenties, he lived off the grid in rural northern Michigan in a shelter with no electricity or water. After law school, he moved to Alaska to become a public defender in a town outside of the state’s road system. In September 2023, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy appointed Haas as the Alaska Public Defender.