This article copyright © 2020 Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly . It appeared in the newspaper's digital edition of Dec. 3, 2020, and print edition of Dec. 7, 2020. It is reproduced here with permission., * * * After graduating from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, Gregory W. Bowman, the newly appointed sixth dean of Roger Williams University School of Law, initially followed a “BigLaw” trajectory and joined Baker McKenzie, where he practiced as an international trade and corporate attorney. But in 2004, the West Virginia native heeded an inner voice and made the move to the…, Q. Why was RWU Law’s deanship an attractive opportunity for you?, A., One huge advantage RWU Law has is that it is the only law school in Rhode Island. We have these great relationships with law firms, companies, nonprofit organizations, judges, legislators and so on. This provides lots of exciting learning and career opportunities for our students, and so many opportunities for the law school to serve the state. I saw this same sort of solo law school advantage…, Q. How has RWU Law managed the pandemic? Has in-person instruction largely continued? Will the experience have a permanent effect on the delivery of legal education?, A., I am really proud of how we have managed the pandemic all across the university. This fall we have a combination of in-person classes, hybrid classes and fully online classes. Students and faculty could choose whether to attend in person or remotely, and approximately 30 percent of our law students and faculty stayed fully online this fall. Masks and social distancing were mandatory. We…, Q. A hallmark of RWU Law has been its emphasis on clinics, externships and other experiential student programs, which is now among the ABA’s requirements for accredited schools. Does the RWU curriculum strike the right balance between traditional classroom courses and “practice ready” offerings?, A., RWU Law’s experiential education programs are among its key strengths, and I think it does a great job of balancing doctrinal education and experiential learning. Our doctrinal classes provide students with the knowledge and tools for practicing law; our experiential programs help them learn how to use them. And representing a client while in law school really teaches you what it means to be a…, Q. In a nutshell, how would you describe the premise of your 2018, Toledo Law Review, article, “The Rise of the Creative Law School”? How will you bring those ideas to bear at RWU?, A., That article encapsulates a lot of my thinking about legal education, and I really enjoyed writing it. From the late 1800s until about 2010, U.S. law schools have followed the same model of legal education, and it was a tried-and-true recipe for success. But ever since the financial crisis of 2008, U.S. legal education has experienced rapid and massive change that is both destabilizing and…, Q. What steps can the head of a law school take to enhance the diversity and inclusiveness of the student body, faculty and staff?, A., This is one of the most important questions for legal education. To be truly effective, the legal profession must reflect the population we serve. And to do that, we need to be a community that is diverse, inclusive and dedicated to belonging. We must look for, recruit and support talented faculty, staff and students from many different backgrounds and places, and we must have a “growth mindset…, Q. What should the school’s priorities be in its next 25 years?, A., RWU Law has a strong foundation, but over the next 25 years there will be a lot of change in higher education and in society. We will need to stay quick on our feet and think about innovative ways to train our law students and serve the legal profession and society. I think we will see greater collaboration with other disciplines in higher education, more online and remote learning, and more…, Q. At your first RWU Law commencement ceremony next spring, what advice will you give to newly minted J.D.s ready to start their careers?, A., Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Every calling is great when greatly pursued.” And I think there is no more noble profession than the legal profession when one pursues it as a calling — as a way to help make the world a better place. I will tell our new graduates — who on that day will become our brand-new colleagues — to follow their hearts and use their legal knowledge and skills in the…, Q. How do you spend your time away from the law school?, A., I love my job; it is my calling. But away from it I love to travel whenever I can, both in the U.S. and abroad. I was born overseas, studied in Europe for two years, and have run study-abroad programs in three different countries on three different continents. I practiced international trade law and worked for clients across the globe. Travel gives me perspective, and it brings me joy. I love…
Type: Article
Usually at this time of year, the displays in our computer classrooms turn to puppy cams to help our law school community with the stress of finals. Due to the pandemic and the (physical) closure of the library, and in lieu of our usual display, we are delivering the stress relieving cuteness of puppy, kitty, and other animal cams directly to you in the form of links on this blog post. In…
Type: Article
Last week, President Donald J. Trump nominated Terrence M. Andrews ’97 – better known as “Mike” to his classmates at Roger Williams University School of Law and most of his colleagues today – to serve as a judge on the United States Court of Federal Claims . Originally from California but a resident of Virginia for many years, Andrews currently serves as Staff Director and Chief Counsel to the…
Type: Article
For Karen Lara , a recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to grant cert. in a case she first saw argued at Roger Williams University School of Law as a 1L symbolizes the progress of her own educational journey. It began on March 25, 2019, when the Honorable John J. McConnell, Jr. , Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, held court – as has become his…, Caniglia v. Strom, , 396 F. Supp. 3d 227 (D. R.I. 2019). On appeal, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed in an opinion written by the RWU Law courtroom’s namesake, Judge Selya. , Caniglia v. Strom, , No. 19-1764 (1st Cir. 2020). Karen Lara In the meantime, Lara had established herself as a standout student at RWU Law, a member of the school’s Honors Program and, Law Review, . The Arizona native – whose parents originally came to the U.S. from Mexico as migrant farm workers – also served as president of the Latino Law Students Association, and as a teaching assistant for Professor Colleen Brown . “Seeing the sacrifices my parents made when we were kids, I really wanted to take advantage of the opportunities they were giving me,” Lara said. “They used to say, ‘Our job…, Caniglia, happened to be passing through that court. “It was such a wonderful internship opportunity, right after completing my 1L year, to go and work at the First Circuit,” she said. While, Caniglia, itself never landed on her desk, “I was there to experience this next step in the process.” A few weeks ago, on November 20, 2020, the United States Supreme Court granted certiorari in the case on the question, “Whether the ‘community caretaking’ exception to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement extends to the home.” And while the pandemic has kept Lara at home in San Luis, Ariz., for most…
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Type: Faculty & Staff Profile
Exams are almost over and that is always a reason to celebrate. In this world that has so many disruptions to our familiar patterns, it is sometimes good to remember that we can still celebrate normal things like the end of exams. December is full of special days that have not changed. We can take a quiet moment to remember the day “which live in infamy” on December 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance…
Type: Article
2020 brought us some memorable moments and unforgettable experiences like an impeachment trial, Brexit, COVID, murder hornets, Tiger King, the murder of George Floyd and other Black Americans, raging wildfires, an election, and the death of RBG. Enough is enough. Let’s celebrate the end of 2020. And new beginnings! May 2021 be filled with peace, kindness, grace, and joy. Happy New Year from…
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We are excited for the Spring 2021 semester. Classes begin (online and in-person) on Monday, January 25, 2021. We have scheduled this Question and Answer Session to provide a forum for students to ask questions about RWU Law's plans related to a safe reopening. Students may use the link below to submit questions, comments or suggestions in advance of the Question and Answer session. Please note,…
Type: Event
What is facial recognition? Facial recognition is a type of computer algorithm that seeks to identify a person in an image. This technology has been in development since the 1960s . Early systems used photos processed by humans to compare measurements of facial features to determine matches. Today’s systems use AI and machine learning to recognize human faces. In recent years, the technology has…, State Statutes Regulating Collection or Disclosure of Consumer Biometric or Genetic Information, , 41 A.L.R.7th 4 (Originally published in 2019) [Available on Lexis or Westlaw].
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The second annual RWU Law , Women in Law Leadership Lecture, , featuring, Debra Katz, Esq., A Fireside Chat with RWU Law Professor Emily J. Sack ., Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 6 – 7 p.m. ET, Debra Katz is a founding partner of Katz, Marshall & Banks, LLP, where she concentrates her practice on employment discrimination, sexual harassment, whistleblower, and Title IX matters. She has developed extensive litigation experience in federal and local courts and has achieved significant courtroom successes in a number of high-profile cases. Throughout her legal career, Ms. Katz has…, Washingtonian, magazine. Ms. Katz represented Dr. Christine Blasey Ford in proceedings before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2018. In recognition of Ms. Katz’s work at the forefront of whistleblower and employment law, she has been recognized as "Civil Rights Lawyer of the Year" for Washington, D.C. by , The Best Lawyers© In America, for 2018, and as a “Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar” by, Law360, . In 2019, Washingtonian Magazine recognized Ms. Katz as one of "Washington's 150 Most Powerful Women," a biennial list honoring women in the D.C. area who have achieved great success., Rhode Island MCLE Credit, This program has been approved for one (1) CLE hour in Rhode Island., No recording of this event is permitted., This virtual event is open to the public., In addition to Ms. Katz, the event will feature our announcement of the winners of the RBG Essay Contest for RI schoolchildren., This event is made possible by the generosity of sponsor, Cervenka Green & Ducharme LLC, ., CGD logo, and individual support from , First Women, honoree Louise Durfee (1966).
Type: Event
