Get your racing outfit on as we celebrate a beloved part of our law school this week, the library. Each year, the American Library Association (ALA) announces a week in the spring to celebrate libraries across the nation. This year’s celebration begins April 7th and lasts through April 13th. The theme is Ready, Set, Library! Inspired by this, the law library staff has crafted their own Formula…
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This is a hands-on program focused on advanced deposition skills, particularly conducting and defending the rule 30(b)(6) deposition. Students will learn strategies for using the 30(b)(6) process to uncover relevant information in discovery as well as strategies for responding to a 30(b)(6) notice and defending the 30(b)(6) witness. The program consists of a combination of live and recorded…, Co-sponsored by the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Roger Williams University School of Law, and the Federal Bar Association, Rhode Island Chapter, REGISTER HERE, CANCELLATION POLICY, Please contact Rana Smith at 401.752.7210 or Rana_Smith@rid.uscourts.gov no later than Monday, April 22, 2024 to receive a full refund. You will be required to return all course materials to receive your refund. If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact the program chairs, Brooks Magratten ( bmagratten@pierceatwood.com ; 401-490-3422) or Professor Niki Kuckes (…
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You might say Stefanie Fischer’s success in law school started with sled dogs. Fischer is a member of the Roger Williams University School of Law Class of 2024. As a teaching assistant for multiple courses and editor-in-chief of the, Roger Williams University Law Review, , she has excelled at every opportunity offered to her as a law student. But she credits her accomplishments at least in part to one chance she didn’t take. , Dogs and horses, After graduating from the George Washington University in three years, Fischer briefly considered law school but chose a more adventurous path. In 2011, she moved to Seward, Alaska to work for the Seavey family, a multi-generational dogsledding family that included two champions of the famous Iditarod sled race. She did everything from administrative assistance to mushing for the family’s racing…, “A lot of yesses” , Fischer applied only to RWU Law because she wanted to stay in state. In law school, she wanted to distinguish herself in a competitive career. She also had the Iditarod in the back of her mind and didn’t want to say no to another chance. “I didn't ever want to turn down an opportunity and regret it later. Part of that was that I was coming to this as a second or third career and at a much older…, Law Review, team of around sixty high achievers. “It made me a much more empathetic person,” Fischer says. “I was much more able to step back from something and say, ‘Okay, what is this person thinking? What are they feeling like?’ … That sounds really simple, but it's really hard to do.” After graduation, Fischer will clerk for Chief Justice Paul Suttell of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. Eventually, she…
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Terrence Haas L'07 is an adventurer. In his twenties, he lived off the grid in rural northern Michigan in a shelter with no electricity or water. After law school, he moved to Alaska to become a public defender in a town outside of the state’s road system. In September 2023, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy appointed Haas as the Alaska Public Defender. But for anyone who believes the best option…, Off the grid, Haas was born in California and raised in Indiana. As a college student in Michigan, he moved into the woods. “I don’t think it was that conscious of a decision,” he recalls. “It was just kind of a thing that people were doing in that part of the world.” That adventure ended with another adventure: the birth of Haas’s first child. At that time, he moved back to Indiana and completed an…, On to law school, Haas had previously worked in group homes for disabled adults. He liked the experience and also realized that he wanted to pursue advocacy as a career. This led him to Roger Williams University School of Law. He enjoyed being an active law student, serving as the Editor in Chief of the Law Review and clerking for Judge Mary Lisi of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island…, A new adventure, Haas and his family moved to Bethel, a community of around six thousand residents in western Alaska. He recalls that he was “learning the job at the same time that I was trying to learn the culture. There were bumps in the road to be sure. But ultimately, the people there are very, very patient, kind, [and] understanding.” Eventually, Haas became the head of the local public defender’s office and…, A tricky business, As the supervisor of the state’s approximately one-hundred public defenders, Haas is eager to impart to a new generation of lawyers what it means to be a public defender. “Public defense is a tricky business,” he observes. At its best, public defense means helping people in need. At its worst, a public defender’s office can be merely a stamp of approval on a broken process, ensuring that it meets…
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One of the highlights of the recent Women in Law Leadership Lecture, featuring guest Director Rosie Hidalgo of the US Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and RWU Law's Prof. Emily J. Sack, was the presentation of the 2024 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Essay/Art Contest., Elementary School Winner (Grades K-5), Visaagan Vipakaran's artwork entitled "Equality for All People" won the prize for art. Visaagan is a Grade 5 student at Woodridge Elementary School., Middle School Winner (Grades 6-8), Reese Lourenco's essay, "The Great Influence of Ruth Bader Ginsburg," earned the Middle School prize. Reese is a Grade 6 student at Segue Institute for Learning. According to Reese, the late RBG inspired with her bravery and perseverance., High School Winner (Grades 9-12), Avery Blais's essay, “The RBG Within ME,” secured her the High School prize. For this Grade 9 student of Mount Saint Charles Academy, RBG is a goal—a symbol of perseverance in paving the way for the next generation of Americans, serving as a reminder for Avery not to give up. Information on the annual RBG Essay/Art Contest, this year's winners, as well as copies of the essays and an image of the…
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Jonté McKenzie is a firm believer in making the most of any situation he’s in, in getting involved with things he believes in, and creating a sense of community. Over the course of his three years at RWU Law, he has served as the Student Bar Association (SBA) president and vice president of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA). He’s also been involved in the Latino Law Student Association (…
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Final exams are upon us again at RWU Law. It can be an extremely challenging time for law students. The Law Library has several suggestions that can help you reduce your stress levels; we also offer a variety of resources to help you prepare for your finals., Reduce Your Stress Levels, Watch Cute Baby Animals. , The library will be showing live streams of cute baby animals in our main computer classroom during reading days and finals. We hope to give you a few moments of joy during your study breaks, by featuring various animals. We even featured jellyfish, which are not cuddly but are hypnotic to watch. Please stop by the main computer classroom, you will oohh and ahh over our furry and not so furry…, Review the Stress Management, Mindfulness and Wellness guide., Check out the library’s Stress Management, Mindfulness and Wellness guide . You will find lists of books and links to general resources for wellness. You will also find links to the RWU Fitness Center , where you can take a break and destress through exercise. If you need someone to talk to during exam times, or any other times, please contact the RWU Counseling Center . The Dean of Students…, Listen to your body. , Being focused on your studies may lead to not fulfilling your basic needs. Use the HALT method to address your needs. HALT stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. These four states can affect your mood and behavior, affecting your work negatively. Are you, Hungry, - Make sure to eat while you are studying hard. Try to choose healthy foods that will improve your mood and give you energy. Stay hydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include headache, muscle cramps, sleepiness, lack of energy, and irritability. To help you stay focused, make sure to drink enough fluids and try to minimize caffeine intake. Are you, Angry or Lonely, ? Try to identify why you are feeling this emotion so you can address it. Asking for help is difficult, but remember your family, friends, and the RWU Law community all want you to succeed. You may need to take a break or talk things through with a friend, family member, or someone else. The Counseling Center on campus is available on weekdays from 8:30am to 5:00pm and offers remote services…, Tired, ? You may be physically, mentally, and/or emotionally tired. Take a break; close your eyes and take a deep breath; go for a quick walk; grab a bite to eat; head to bed early and wake up ready to go., Help to Prepare for Finals, Visit the Study Aids Guides., The Law Library’s staff has prepared study aids guides to the major study aids in the library’s collection to supplement your outlines and class materials. These guides are organized by class subject, including guides for all 1L classes and many 2L and 3L classes. In these guides, you will find links to the Law Library’s popular print and eBook study aids; audio and visual resources (such as the…, Book a Study Room., You can book a study room for individual or group study sessions. Please read the full policy to ensure that you are familiar with its terms. We will be actively canceling reservations that do not follow this policy and repeated failures to comply with the policy will result in the loss of reservation privileges through the end of the semester., Refer to Academic Excellence Resources., Don’t forget to look at the resources available through the Academic Excellence Program , from Writing Center information to time management suggestions, as well as learning from previous exams. The Academic Excellence Program offers tips and tricks for studying and writing as well as tutorials, handouts, and contact information. While studying in the library, please remember that sound travels…
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Third-year law Roger Williams University School of Law student Tim Caplan has a public service mindset. Throughout college, he volunteered with Beat the Streets, an organization that mentors youth through wrestling programs. When he came to law school, Caplan continued his public service through pro bono legal work. RWU Law requires law students to perform at least 50 pro bono hours prior to…, Many opportunities, Among a number of other public interest and experiential programs, the Feinstein Center oversees pro bono projects including Street Law, which teaches youth about their legal rights; Adult Correctional Institution Civil Legal Clinic Projects; an eviction help desk; and more. One of the major pro bono projects at RWU Law is Alternative Spring Break (“ASB”), which pairs students with public…, , Community connections, RWU Law pro bono also capitalizes on the school’s community connections, including to the judiciary. When she came to law school, Rotimi had never heard of judicial clerkships, which are post-graduate positions in judges’ chambers. Her pro bono internship with Judge Mary McElroy of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island opened her eyes to clerkship opportunities. After…, A defining moment, Even students who aren’t interested in public interest careers can gain valuable skills through pro bono service. When asked why a busy law student would want to go above and beyond the school’s pro bono requirement, Caplan says, “If you want a great resume, do more pro bono work.” Ultimately, pro bono work can be one of the highlights of law school. “A lot of students say that doing their pro…, For a listing of the most recent schoolyear's students who have completed one hundred hours or more of pro bono legal service, visit this the, Pro Bono Experiential Learning, section. ,
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Sponsored by the Student Bar Association, , 6:00 PM Meet & Greet 7:00 PM Dinner and Dancing Omni Providence Hotel One West Exchange Street Providence, Rhode Island Check back for event ticket information. Omni Providence Hotel, Overnight Special Room Rate:, A limited number of overnight rooms are available at a reduced nightly rate of $149 at the Omni Providence Hotel. Reservations may be made directly by calling Omni Reservations Line at 402-952-6646 and mentioning the 2025 RWU Law Barrister’s Ball Room Block. Online room reservation link., All room reservations must be made before February 4, 2025., Event Ticket Refund Policy:, RWU Law Barrister's Ball tickets may be refunded if the request is received in writing to lawevents@rwu.edu by February 14, 2025. The University Ticket processing fees are forfeited., 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 Law Programs at lawevents@rwu.edu , as soon as possible, but no later than 72 business hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made.
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