RWU Law Timeline
More than three decades ago, the Honorable Joseph Weisberger, then an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, crystalized decades of sporadic debate among state opinion leaders by announcing, “There is almost a universal belief that Rhode Island is badly served by the lack of a law school.”
In response, Natale Sicuro, President of the institution then known as Roger Williams College, appointed a blue-ribbon exploratory committee, which in 1991 officially recommended the establishment of Roger Williams University School of Law. Its first class of 1Ls – the Class of 1996 – convened in Fall of 1993.
Since then, our journey has been an eventful and exciting one. We invite you to explore this timeline of where we've been – and to join us and help forge the path ahead.
Timeline
Close Course Type DescriptionsCourse 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.
