Monica Teixeira de Sousa is a Distinguished Research Professor of Law and Director of the Housing Policy Clinic at Roger Williams University School of Law in Bristol, Rhode Island. At RWU Law, she teaches Property, Housing Law and Policy, Education Law, Family Law, and Race & the Foundations of American Law. Professor Teixeira de Sousa joined the RWU Law Faculty in 2022, where she was…, Books, Race and the foundations of American law., (Aspen Publishing, 2025)(with Nicole Dyszlewski and Diana Hassel), Articles, , " Students for Fair Admissions Sends Us Bakke to the Drawing Board for Race-Conscious Affirmative Action in Higher Education ," 29, Roger Williams U. L. Rev., 290 (2024) " The Law Professor and the Therapist: Beyond Belonging There's a Place (and Need) for Group Solidarity Among First Generation and Low-Income Students in the Law School Setting ," 28, Roger Williams U. L. Rev., 161 (2023), ", Class Houses: Fragility and Disunity in the Ranks of Academe or Democratizing the Future of Legal Education According to the Vision of Ivan Illich ," 15, Hastings Race and Poverty Law Journal, 1 (2018) , ", Violence Against Women and the Law," 10, Journal of Interdisciplinary Feminist Thought, (2017)(with David L. Richards and Jillienne Haglund), ", Compelling Honesty: Amending Charter School Enrollment Laws to Aid Society's Most Vulnerable," 45, The Urban Lawyer, 105 (2013) , ", The State of Our Unions: How President Obama’s Education Reforms Threaten the Working Class," 50, University of Louisville Law Review, 201 (2011) , ", A Race to the Bottom? President Obama’s Incomplete and Conservative Strategy for Reforming Education in Struggling Schools or The Perils of Ignoring Poverty," 39, Stetson Law Review, 629 (2010) , ", The Politics of Supplementing Failure Under NCLB: How Both Left and Right Are Forcing Low-Income Children to Choose Between a Deficient Education and Working Overtime," 10, Nevada Law Journal, 118 (2009)
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
Professor Colleen Murphy has been honored for her teaching, scholarship, and pro bono legal services. She has served at RWU as the Distinguished Teaching Professor for her excellence in teaching and as the Distinguished Research Professor for her creation and advancement of scholarship. The Rhode Island Bar Association honored her with its Pro Bono Publico Award for the free and extensive legal…, Northwestern University Law Review, , , Virginia Law Review, , and , Texas Law Review, , and she was a member of the American Law Institute’s Members’ Consultative Group for the Restatement (Third) of Restitution and Unjust Enrichment., Articles, "Removing Statistical Discrimination in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Compensation in Rhode Island," 29, Roger Williams University Law Review, 555 (co-authored with student Natalie DeAngelis) (2024) "Note-Taking Mode and Academic Performance in Two Law School Courses," 68, Journal of Legal Education, 207 (2019) (co-authored with C.J. Ryan & Yajni Warnapala) "Recognizing Restitutionary Causes of Action and Remedies Under Rhode Island Law," 20, Roger Williams University Law Review, 429 (2015) "Reviewing Congressionally Created Remedies for Excessiveness," 73, Ohio State Law Journal, 651 (2012) "What is Specific about "Specific Restitution?," 60, Hastings Law Journal, 853 (2009) "Money as a Specific Remedy," 58, Alabama Law Review, 119 (2006) "The Use of Prior Convictions after Apprendi," 37, U.C. Davis Law Review, 973 (2004) "Misclassifying Monetary Restitution," 55, Southern Methodist University Law Review, 1577 (2002) "Judgment as a Matter of Law on Punitive Damages," 75, Tulane Law Review, 459 (2000) "Judicial Assessment of Legal Remedies," 94, Northwestern University Law Review, 153 (1999) "The Narrowing of the Entitlement to Criminal Jury Trial," 1997, Wisconsin Law Review, 33 "Context and the Allocation of Decisionmaking: Reflections on United States v. Gaudin," 82, Virginia Law Review, 961 (1996) "Determining Compensation: The Tension between Legislative Power and Jury Authority," 74, Texas Law Review, 345 (1995) "Integrating the Constitutional Authority of Civil and Criminal Juries," 61, George Washington Law Review, 723 (1993)
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
As Roger Williams University School of Law reflects on its public-interest legacy, one theme emerges: the steady, often understated role the school has played in the growth of the Rhode Island Center for Justice (CFJ). This milestone presents a meaningful moment to reflect on a partnership that has shaped both institutions and enhanced access to justice across Rhode Island., A Vision Rooted in Collaboration, The Center for Justice opened in 2015 after years of planning by its founders, attorneys Miriam Weizenbaum and Bud DeLuca, who sought to create a nonprofit that would expand Rhode Island's civil legal services landscape while preparing the next generation of public-interest lawyers. RWU Law quickly became a natural partner. Then‑Dean Michael Yelnosky recognized how closely the Center's mission…, A Training Ground for Public‑Interest Lawyers, Over the past decade, the Center has welcomed RWU Law fellows, externs, summer interns, Alternative Spring Break students, and many volunteers. Students and alums have provided direct client service in areas such as housing, immigration, workers' rights, education, prison conditions, and utility shutoffs. Their work has often taken place in a resource‑limited environment where every hour of…, Independent Nonprofit, Enduring Partnership, Although RWU Law played a key role in the Center’s early development, the Rhode Island Center for Justice has always been an independent nonprofit with its own governance, leadership, and funding. The law school's relationship with the Center today is one of support and strategic alignment. RWU Law faculty serve on the Center's board, alumni work as staff and fellows, and students continue to…, Looking Ahead, As the Center for Justice continues its work as an independent force for civil legal rights, RWU Law remains proud of the alums, faculty, and students who contribute to its mission. The partnership, built on respect and a shared sense of purpose, stands as one of the law school's most meaningful public‐interest achievements. A decade in, the story of RWU Law and the Center for Justice reflects…
Type: Article
Helga Melgar is a certified marketing strategist through the American Marketing Association (AMA), with additional training in digital, content, and social media marketing. She joined the School of Law in 2023, bringing more than twenty years of experience across multiple industries. In her role, Helga promotes programs and initiatives by sharing the achievements of students, the expertise of…
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
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Type: L1 & Institute
The Financial Aid Office provides information about and access to a variety of funding sources to supplement each student’s available funds. Major sources of funds include the Federal Government, private loan providers, and private foundations. Financial aid is available for the full cost of attendance, including both direct costs (tuition, books, fees, and supplies) and indirect costs (…
Type: Basic Page
The library is pleased to offer graduates of the Roger Williams University School of Law a variety of resources and services. Alumni visitors may use the extensive law library collection of Rhode Island, federal, and New England state materials., Alumni Borrower Card, To request an Alumni Borrower Card, complete the web Alumni Borrower Application form. Applications are normally processed Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm by full-time library staff who will issue your borrower card. Materials may be borrowed immediately upon receipt of the borrower's card. The card must be presented to the Circulation staff at the time of borrowing., Borrowing & Renewing Library Materials, Most, single volume stack materials, may be borrowed as follows: The borrowing period is 14 days. Two renewals, subject to recall, are possible. The maximum number of items which may be borrowed is 3 per patron., Reserve materials, may be borrowed as follows: The borrowing period for all materials is 3 hours. Materials circulate for in-library use only., Audiovisual and Group Study Room Keys, may be borrowed as follows: The borrowing period is 3 hours and may be renewed subject to availability. Availability of room keys is subject to restrictions based on current student needs. For example, room keys may not be borrowed during exam periods. Due to limitations imposed by the authentication method used for the room reservation system, alumni need to contact full-time library staff for…, Renewals, Patrons may renew material via the telephone when full-time staff are available or renew material online anytime. To renew via the telephone, call the Circulation Desk at 401-254-4546 during the normal business day. To renew online, patrons may use the " My Library > My Account " option in the WebCatalog. They can review a list of the materials currently checked out, see the due dates and…, Overdue Materials, Overdue notices, are sent the first business day an item is overdue. Materials not returned after two notices are billed and a billing notice is sent. Bills are issued for the estimated replacement cost of the item plus a billing fee in the amount of $25.00., Borrowing privileges will be suspended, while a bill/billing fee is outstanding. Periodic reminder notices will be sent for unpaid bills/billing fees., Computing and Digital Resources, Most library research databases and the Internet may be accessed from the computer workstations on the hexagons in the central part of the library. Databases which are not available due to licensing restrictions include: Lexis and Westlaw. The hexagon computers also provide access to Microsoft Office applications in addition to the library’s digital resources., HeinOnline Law Journal Library, The HeinOnline, Law Journal Library, is available to RWU Law Alumni through the University Bridges site. To obtain access to the, Law Journal Library, on Bridges, complete the RWU Law Alumni HeinOnline Access Request form . Requests are normally processed Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm by full-time library staff. Please watch for an invitation to join the Bridges, Law Alumni Access to Digital Resources, site. HeinOnline’s, Law Journal Library, contains more than 2,000 law and law-related periodicals, consisting of more than 27 million pages of articles, comments, notes, and book reviews. Unlike other databases, the, Law Journal Library, is comprehensive, beginning with the first issue ever published, bridging the gap in legal history. The, Law Journal Library, also provides case law linking powered by Fastcase, giving the ability to link directly to the full text of case law from cited material or via citation lookup., Post-Graduation Access to Lexis Advance and Westlaw, Recent law alumni continue to have access to Lexis Advance and Westlaw. For more information on the terms of each provider’s program, please visit Lexis & Westlaw @ RWU Law: Post-Graduation Access ., Reference Assistance, The librarians are available to provide reference assistance to RWU Law Alumni in person, by phone at 401-254-4547, or via the Ask a Librarian service (chat or email)., Extended Borrowing Privileges, Upon a demonstration of need, arrangements may be made for extended borrowing of circulating materials. Requests for extended borrowing privileges should be directed to the Access Services Coordinator, Erin Orsini at 401-254-4548 or eorsini@rwu.edu .
Type: Basic Page
Laurie Barron is the Director Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education. She received a B.A. from Yale University, a J.D. from New York University School of Law, and an M.S.W. from New York University School of Social Work. Her previous work includes representing children at the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society in New York City; working as a public defender and…, Articles, " Learning How to Learn: Carnegie’s Third Apprenticeship ,", 18 Clinical Law Review 101 (2011)., " Don’t Do It Alone: A Community-Based, Collaborative Approach to Pro Bono ,", 23 Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics, 323 (2010), (co-authored with Suzanne Harrington-Steppen, Elizabeth Tobin Tyler, and Eliza Vorenberg).
Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
These different experiences enable students to customize their education to best meet their needs and career goals. The Marine Affairs Institute offers courses in admiralty/maritime law, as well as natural resources, allowing students to understand all aspects of marine law. Courses are taught by both tenured and adjunct faculty, giving students the opportunity to learn from experienced…
Type: Basic Page
ILR can be a daunting prospect for anyone but especially for those new to research in the area. Give these tried-and-true strategies a try when getting started., Find a Guide., As mentioned in the Legal Eagle Blog before, you’ll never go astray by starting your research with a guide. Legal Research or Law Guides are a handy reference to primary and secondary sources specific to an area of law. You should expect most ILR guides to focus on showing users how to find treaties and other international agreements, which are primary sources in international law. You may also…, Consult Secondary Sources., While it’s always good practice to consult secondary sources at the start of a research project, it could be critical in ILR as international law and organizations tend to use highly specialized terminology and acronyms. Locating and reviewing secondary sources on your topic can provide you with valuable context and the definition of key terms and acronyms. ILR will also require you to search for…, Locate Treaties., After you consult some good guides and secondary sources, your next task may likely include locating the treaties related to your research. The research guides you consulted may have pointed out many resources that you can reliably use to find treaties. However, for your purposes as an RWU Law student, the treaty sources you need should be available to you through RWU’s HeinOnline subscription.…, Apply the 10-minute Rule., If you get stuck on a research task for more than ten minutes, please reach out to your law librarians. We’re here to help you! Drop by or contact us for immediate reference assistance Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. The library also provides individualized research consultations for students to help develop research strategies based on individual needs. To schedule a research consultation with…
Type: Article
