The first edition of “Race and the Foundations of American Law,” a new casebook by a group of Roger Williams School of Law professors, makes the resources from RWU Law’s first-of-its-kind course on the same subject available to schools and students around the U.S. and sheds light on the role of race and racism in everything from property ownership to the child welfare system. The new book, by…, Beyond the books, “Law isn’t just in a book,” says Dyszlewski, RWU Law’s assistant dean for curricular innovation. When she was in law school, no one taught her about topics like law and prison abolition, and she hopes that the book will provide students today with foundations she did not have in order to make them well-rounded attorneys. Mid shot of Professor Dyszlewski wearing a red dress with hands clasped in…, Kelo v. City of New London, . The court’s ruling against Susette Kelo, who is white, in her case against the city government over the fate of her home prompted public backlash and new laws in many jurisdictions. But Teixeira de Sousa remarks on how often this type of taking happens in communities of color, without public outcry. “You can’t understand the material without the historical context,” says Teixeira de Sousa. “…, A team effort, Each of the co-authors approached the research and writing process from a different scholarly and professional context. “We come to it from different angles,” says constitutional scholar Hassel. “It’s important that we did it together.” mid shot of Professor Teixeira de Sosa with crossed arms wearing an off white pin striped jacket In addition to their legal backgrounds, “We had generational…, Race and Foundations of American Law: First Edition, is being planned as part of the law school’s signature program,, Integrating Doctrine and Diversity, . More information here .
Type: Article
Nate Reid L’26 is not an emotional person. And yet, Reid found himself deeply impacted by the real-life stories of the justice system and wrongfully-incarcerated people during a short-term volunteer project at the Innocence Project’s New York headquarters. “I keep joking, I think in the past five years, I’ve cried three times, and it was when my college soccer career ended, when the Eagles lost…, Eye-opening perspective, During the week with the Innocence Project, Reid’s main assignment was tracking down the case files and evidence records for a matter the organization was evaluating, that had been tried decades ago. After numerous phone calls, he located the documents through a court clerk in Louisiana. There was just one wrinkle: The bill for the court to copy and ship the documents was thousands of dollars.…, Exploring new experiences, Reid is interested in a career in civil litigation after law school. He also would like to continue doing pro bono work. This summer, he will be working at Motley Rice on mass tort litigation. Reid encourages students with similar career interests to make the most of public interest opportunities like ASB even if they don’t plan to practice public interest law. “Don’t close off one road before…
Type: Article
Two members of the Roger Williams University School of Law community—Michelle Alves M'00 L’03 and 2L Gianna J. DelMonico, , —were among this year’s honorees at the 43rd Annual Neil J. Houston, Jr. Memorial Awards , hosted by Justice Assistance, a Rhode Island nonprofit led by CEO Jake Bissaillon L’16. Held on October 9, 2025, the annual awards recognize leaders who exemplify fairness, compassion, and integrity in strengthening the state’s justice system. Since its founding in 1978, Justice Assistance has supported…, Future Changemaker Recognized, RWU Law student Gianna J. DelMonico received the Francis J. Darigan, Jr. Scholarship, awarded each year to a law student who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to community service. Named for the late Judge Francis J. Darigan, Jr., the award honors his lifelong dedication to fairness and mentorship in the administration of justice. DelMonico, a Juris…, Alum Honored for Public Defense Leadership, Michelle Alves M'00 L’03, an Assistant Public Defender in the Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender, was among five recipients of the Neil J. Houston, Jr. Memorial Award, which honors Rhode Islanders whose dedication and integrity have made a lasting impact on the justice system and their communities. Alves was recognized for her tireless advocacy on behalf of clients and her leadership…, Continuing a Legacy of Justice and Service, As Chief Executive Officer of Justice Assistance, Jake Bissaillon L’16 leads the organization that confers these honors each year. Under his direction, Justice Assistance continues to expand its impact through initiatives such as Habitat for Justice, which provides affordable housing to justice-involved individuals, and JA Health & Wellness, an integrated primary and behavioral health clinic…, This news article was adapted from a press release from Justice Assistance.
Type: Article
The Hague has always been central to Professor Louise Ellen Teitz 's career. To this day, The Hague remains a core part of her work. Previously a member of the US Delegation to the Hague Conference for the Judgments Convention, she served as First Secretary at the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) from 2011 to 2014. This December, her affiliation with The Hague comes full…, "The Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements: A Commentary, ," co-authored with Gilles Cuniberti of the University of Luxembourg and Brooke Marshall of the University of Oxford. This book, which has been years in the making, will be launched at the Hague Conference. Having her latest book launched at the place that has been at the heart of her career is quite meaningful for Professor Teitz. "It has particular meaning to me since I have been working with…, Drawing from Experience, At the core of this book is a thorough examination of the 2005 Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements, which has been in force since October 2015. The book's co-authors take a detailed dive into each article of the Convention, looking at everything from its history to its meaning. The time Prof. Teitz spent at The Hague was crucial for her as she worked on this book, as she was able to…, A Collaborative Effort, Working on this book has been a laborious process for all involved. They began work right before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately slowed down the project's process. As work on the book continued, one of the project's original co-authors, Peter Mankowski, a professor at the University of Hamburg, passed away tragically in 2022. For the authors, the work has been challenging…
Type: Article
Zaki Farah understands firsthand that for many, the courtroom is not a place of fairness, but a place of fear. His mission is to change that. The son of Syrian immigrants who fled religious and political persecution, Farah grew up in upstate New York watching his family navigate the immigration system with little support. His father built a photography business from the ground up, but the process…, Zaki Farah flanked by two other RWU Law studnets with the LA Superior Court of California building behind them., That purpose led him to Alternative Spring Break during his 2L year , where he was placed with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office . It was, in his words, “the most formative experience of my legal education.” There, he was thrown into active criminal cases, invited into courtroom chambers, and mentored by public defenders and judges who modeled the kind of advocacy he aspires to…
Type: Article
Welcome First-Gen Students!, RWU Law understands that First-Gen students face a number of different challenges impacting their success in law school. This program exists to let these students be seen and heard. First-Gen students often are trained from their time in college to “go it alone” when it comes to seeking out support. Our goal is for First-Gen students to see that they are a part of the grand mosaic that makes up…, LEAD@RWULaw, The mission of the LEAD@RWULAW Pre-Orientation Program is to empower incoming law students to achieve their full potential through mentoring, learning, and leadership experiences. The goal of LEAD@RWULAW is to foster a thriving community of students who are supported and connected through meaningful relationships and opportunities for learning and growth. LEAD@RWULAW is designed especially for…, First Generation Mentorship Program, The Mentorship Program matches incoming first-year students with an upper-level student mentor. The goal is to have someone to help guide incoming students through the transition into law school. While many folks may have survived college without seeking help, law school is very different and having a friendly face in the building to ask questions of is invaluable. Mentors are expected to…, Additional Programming, Throughout the year, we will do other dedicated programming. Examples from the past have included networking when you don't have a network and tips for writing final exam answers. These programs can continually expand to meet the needs of First-Gen students in the School of Law. If you have any ideas or requests, please get in touch with Christopher Gerlica .
Type: Basic Page
Building on our legacy as Rhode Island's only law school and a leading institution in Southern New England, RWU Law works hard to offer a legal education that's accessible and affordable. That's how we became, at $48,584 for incoming 1Ls in fall 2026, the best-priced ABA-accredited private law school in the Northeast – and one of the best legal education values on the entire East Coast. And we're…
Type: Basic Page
Type: Course
BRISTOL, R.I. – , A group of paper houses and apartment complexes with a warm light inside greeted attendees at the door inside one of Rhode Island’s State House rooms. It was a symbol of what everyone there was fighting for: “a neat, well-lit place” as a right for all in Rhode Island to have. At the inaugural RWU Law Housing Advocacy Clinic Showcase last month, the struggles of condominium owners, rising housing…
Type: Article
Chelsie Horne, Director of Programs & Initiatives, and Nicole Dyszlewski, Assistant Dean for Curricular Innovation and Professor, have received the 2025 Presidential Spotlight Award from the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) for their sustained leadership of the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity Speaker Series., A Nationally Recognized Initiative, The Integrating Doctrine and Diversity Speaker Series was launched as an extension of the book Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Inclusion and Equity in the Law School Classroom, co-edited by two RWU Law professors. The initiative provides practical, classroom-ready strategies for incorporating equity, inclusion, and critical perspectives into doctrinal instruction. In 2024, the project…, Sustained Work Behind the Series, The AALS Presidential Spotlight Award recognizes individuals and programs whose contributions strengthen pre-law education and expand access to the legal profession. This year’s award reflects the sustained commitment and collaboration of Horne and Dyszlewski in developing, coordinating, and sustaining the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity initiative. Dean Gregory W. Bowman commented on the…, “This recognition from AALS affirms the extraordinary leadership behind the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity initiative. Nicole Dyszlewski and Chelsie Horne have built a program that is reshaping legal education by giving faculty practical, thoughtful ways to bring DEIB principles into the law school classroom.”, View past sessions from the Integrating Doctrine and Diversity Speaker Series here.
Type: Article
