Juan Loayza Miranda joined the Office of Admissions in June 2025. Before coming to the law school, Juan worked in both non-profits and higher education spaces, supporting student success, community engagement, and access initiatives. Juan has held roles at the University of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University, Harvard University, Brown University, and Providence Promise, where he…
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
Welcome (back) students, faculty, and staff! The Roger Williams University Law Library staff is excited to get to know the 1Ls students as they begin their law school journey. We are also eager to welcome back the 2L and 3L students, a little wiser with legal knowledge and ready for new challenges. The library staff is here to help you have a successful academic year. Our collection and services…, phone and computer chargers, for those days you forgot yours at home;, fans and blankets, to make you comfortable on the days you are studying in the library, and you are warm or cold; and, book stands, to hold your book for reading as you take notes on your computer. Check at the circulation desk to see if we have items you may need and to make suggestions for items that we could have that would benefit the community. We communicate information in many ways to help you stay up to date about the Law Library services and programs: visit our website , blog , Facebook page , X account , and…
Type: Article
Natalia N. Friedlander joined the Roger Williams University School of Law Faculty in July 2025. Prior to joining RWU Law, Friedlander was a Visiting Clinical Lecturer in Law, Associate Research Scholar in Law, and Robert M. Cover Clinical Teaching Fellow at Yale Law School. She was previously a Staff Attorney at the Rhode Island Center for Justice, where she challenged unjust conditions of…
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
Shannon Heery joined the Roger Williams University School of Law faculty in July 2025. Prior to joining RWU Law, Professor Heery taught Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence at Vermont Law and Graduate School. She currently serves as the Reporter for the Advisory Committee to the Vermont Supreme Court on the Rules of Criminal Procedure. She was previously a felony trial attorney with the…
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
As the chief legal counsel of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Steven Colantuono L’03 is helping to lead the organization through the high-profile development of its new mixed-use transit hub. 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…, Nonprofit leader-turned-lawyer, Colantuono started his career as an aid in a facility for adults with mental disabilities. By the time he began to seriously consider law school, he was in a stable position as a clinical director and was eyeing CEO jobs. He didn’t think he would end up practicing law, “but a law degree couldn’t hurt me, it could only help me.” When he made his first deposit to RWU Law, Colantuono had three…, A new road, Around six years ago, Colantuono learned that RIPTA was looking for a new legal counsel. The agency was particularly interested in someone with disability law experience, a natural fit. Once again, he decided to take the leap. A typical day at RIPTA begins with leadership meetings, followed by substantive legal work. He often ends his days in the late afternoon with phone calls, a holdout from…
Type: Story
Diplomas Photo of flags at Graduation, Prior to graduation you will be notified to complete the Graduation Information form by the Office of Student Finance and Records. From the information you provide on this form this office will order your diplomas. Please review your information carefully before you submit your form. Form may be accessed at: Graduation Information Form, Student Account Balances, Outstanding balance statements will be sent to all graduating students this first week of April. All balances must be paid in full to be eligible for graduation. Commencement Information
Type: Basic Page
Type: Basic Page
School of Law Commencement , Friday, May 15, 2020 12:30 p.m., FAQS, Regalia, Graduates will order regalia, consisting of a robe, hood, and tam, through the bookstore thorough their online site: https://rwulaw.shopoakhalli.com . Regalia should be ordered by March 1, 2020 for pick up at the Mandatory Commencement Meeting (Wednesday, April 15 at 12:30pm in Room 283). Questions about regalia should be referred to Sandra in the bookstore at lawbookstore@rwu.edu . Students on…, Class Rings, Class rings may be ordered online. For an appointment with the Balfour representative, contact: Todd.Incantalupo@balfour.com . Order a Class Ring, Photography, Roger Williams University Media Services will record the ceremony. Graduates will be emailed a link to view the ceremony online after the ceremony. The Office of Programs & Events will have a professional photographer at the ceremony. Graduates will receive a 5 x 7" print from the Office of the Dean. Additional prints may be purchased directly from Commencement Photos, Inc. at 978-851-5924. , Due to safety regulations, family members and friends must remain in their seats throughout the ceremony. No guest will be permitted to stand in the aisles during the ceremony. Members of the audience using cameras may take pictures or videos from their seat., Live Stream / Close Captioned Viewing, The School of Law’s Commencement will be available via UStream (live feed) during the ceremony. Family and friends unable to be present at the ceremony will be able to tune in on that day. Following the ceremony, the video will be archived and you will receive a link to access it at a later date. Click , here, for close captioned viewing of the ceremony. Watch Commencement via UStream, Graduate Arrival, Graduates should arrive to campus by 10:45 AM SHARP and should report directly to the Gym in the Campus Recreation Center. An official Class of 2020 will be taken in the Gym at 11:15 AM If you are not assembled at that time, you will not be included in the historic photograph. The graduate procession will begin at 12:20 PM , PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR TRAVEL ALONG METACOM AVENUE, ROUTE 136., Guest Information, Tickets are not required for family and friends to attend Commencement and there is no limit on the number of guests you may invite. Gates to seating will open at 11:00 AM, Flowers, A professional florist, Commencement Flowers, Inc., will be on campus before and during our Commencement ceremony. Flowers may be purchased on Commencement day near the front entrance to the commencement tent. For your convenience, you may pre-order flowers ahead of time, and have them available for pick-up at our location at Commencement. Pre-Order Flowers Online, Refreshments, Hawks Nest: Featuring Seattle's Best gourmet coffee, Pepsi products, Fruit Juice Smoothies, eXpress grab & go sandwiches, salads, snacks, and more. The Hawk's Nest in the Campus Recreation Center will be open on Friday, May 15, from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. , Parking Information, Parking is available at no charge. All graduates and guests should enter through the North Gate for parking. Public Safety will direct vehicles. Handicap parking and seating should be requested by Friday, May 8 using the 2020 Request for Handicap Parking or Seating form below. Traffic will be heavy, please allow extra time to arrive on campus. Parking Map 2020 Request for Handicap Parking or…, Directions, Enter thru North Gate GPS Address: 10 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI, Please allow extra time for travel along Metacom Avenue, Route 136., General Information, Any law graduate or family member having questions relating to the School of Law Commencement, please contact the Office of Programs & Events at 401-254-4659 or lawevents@rwu.edu ., Special Accommodations, Persons who, because of a special need or condition, would like to request an accommodation for this event should contact the Office of Programs & Events, as soon as possible, but no later than 72 business hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made. , 2019 Law Commencement Video
Type: Basic Page
