There’s a cliché that some people are drawn to law school because they like to argue. For Sara Jane Pruell, it was because she enjoyed reading contracts. As a marketing executive for a decade for brands like Brooks Brothers and Tarte Cosmetics, she recalls, “I really started to find that I liked reading the contracts and implementing a lot of the negotiations from those marketing contracts, more…, Helping small businesses, Pruell also had a more typical reason to pursue a legal career: she wanted to help people. She nearly joined the Peace Corps after graduating from Salve Regina University in 2010 and has long thought about how she could make a difference. Law, she says, “seemed like a really great way to help people, and to advocate for those that don’t always have a voice.” As she was considering law schools,…, Negotiating the future, With the stereotypical image of law school as hyper-competitive, Pruell was pleasantly surprised by the camaraderie she found at RWU Law, including on Law Review, where she serves on the editorial board. Older than many of her Law Review colleagues and a mother of two, she says they have been supportive and appreciate her life experience. “You might have different life experiences than some of…
Type: Article
After years of service in the United States Navy, Susannah Johnson L’25 has found a new mission: using the law to serve her community. Johnson followed a non-traditional path to law school, serving as a Surface Warfare Officer for eight years before enrolling at RWU Law. Her time at sea cultivated a deep appreciation for the ocean and ultimately sparked her interest in ocean advocacy and…, Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce, . Though she initially came to law school thinking she would pursue a job in the federal government or “something more classically aligned with the Marine Affairs degree,” she explains that “the beauty of a law degree is that it’s multifaceted.” During her time in law school, Johnson felt her focus began to shift toward local community advocacy in light of the systemic challenges faced by…
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Citizens Plaza Rotunda One Citizens Plaza Providence, Rhode Island Catering by Cafe Nuovo Register for the December 3 RWU Law Holiday Reception Join Dean Gregory W. Bowman, the RWU Law Alumni Association Board of Directors, RWU Law faculty & administration for a networking reception. Make new connections & reconnect with classmates! 2024 Law Alumni Association Holiday Reception, TOYS FOR TOTS, Please consider bringing an unwrapped new toy for the toy drive. Toys collected will be given to children in need in the community. $20 per person includes hors d'oeuvres & one beverage ticket. Register for the 2025 RWU Law Holiday Reception., RWU LAW ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD, The Roger Williams University School of Law Alumni Association continues its tradition of recognizing an alum for outstanding service to the School of Law. Submission deadline is Monday, November 3, 2025 by 5:00 PM EST. RWU Law Alumni Service Award 2025 Nomination Submission, 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 & Initiatives, Liz Baza, ebaza@rwu.edu, as soon as possible, but no later than 72 business hours before the event, so that appropriate arrangements may be made. Questions? Contact RWU Law Programs & Initiatives lawevents@rwu.edu
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Today, RWU Law’s Alternative Spring Break is a robust and popular program placing students in local, regional, national agencies and non-profit organizations to provide pro bono legal service during spring break. The program focuses on areas of the law where clients often lack adequate representation and works to secure projects that give students the most rewarding experience possible. Some of…, Project Name, Placement Location , Area of Law, Bronx Defenders Bronx, NY Criminal, Family, and Immigration Defense Brooklyn Defender Services Brooklyn, NY Criminal and Family Defense Catholic Charities of Denver Fall River, MA Immigration Law Central Falls Law Department Central Falls, RI Municipal Law Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights Cranston, RI Indian Law Cherokee County, Office of District Attorney Canton, GA Prosecution Committee for…, Want to learn more?, We hold an Info Session in early October each year. We announce the placements for the year around December and begin accepting applications in January. Keep an eye on your email for ASB announcements or stop by the Feinstein Center anytime for more information.
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Melissa DuBose L’04 has been confirmed by the US Senate to fill a judicial opening in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. When she is sworn in, DuBose will become the first person of color and first openly LGBTQ person to serve on the court. She will replace Judge William Smith, who will be taking senior status as of January 1, 2025. DuBose previously was an…
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Unlike the other members of the library, I can predict almost every hour of every day. I have a set schedule of to-do’s that rarely get altered except on special occasions like library or law school events. Without fail, coffee always comes first. Black – no muss no fuss – from our trusty Keurig in the staff kitchen. If you’ve ever visited my desk, then you’re familiar with my Care Bear mugs. I…
Type: Article
In the 2021-22 school year, RWU Law co-sponsored, along with the, City University of New York School of Law, and , Jurist, , an ongoing Integrating Doctrine & Diversity Speaker Series. Each of the five installments to date have drawn hundreds of legal education professionals from across the country. In the 2024-25 school year we are back again, along with additional co-sponsors the, University of California - Berkeley School of Law, George Washington University School of Law, and, Antiracist Development Institute, . Join us throughout the school year to learn more practical strategies for integrating DEIB skills and concepts throughout the law school curriculum. Based on a 2021 book –, Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Inclusion and Equity in the Law School Classroom, , whose co-editors include two RWU Law instructors – the series focuses on practical strategies for putting DEIB goals into action. Buy the Book - Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Inclusion and Equity in the Law Classroom Buy the Book - Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Beyond the First Year “I’ve received so much positive feedback from students, alumni, librarians across the country, and…, Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Inclusion and Equity in the Law School Classroom, featuring new essays, case studies, and bibliographies for law faculty seeking to bring critical perspectives on equity, inclusion, and social justice into their teaching in upper-level courses. This book,, Integrating Doctrine and Diversity: Beyond the First Year, , may be purchased here .
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Law Library, Circulation Desk (401) 254-4546 lawlibraryhelp@rwu.edu, Office of Business Affairs, Sarah Jick (401) 254-4550 sjick@rwu.edu, Office of the Dean, Main Desk (401) 254-4500, Office of Admissions, Main Desk (401) 254-4555 lawadmissions@rwu.edu, Office of Diversity & Outreach, Dr. Safie Sagna (401) 254-4522 ssagna@rwu.edu, Office of Career Development, Main Desk (401) 254-4650 lawcareers@rwu.edu, Marine Affairs Institute, Main Desk (401) 254-5392, Office of Programs & Initiatives, Main Desk (401) 254-4663, Office of Student Finance & Records, Ann Marie Thompson (401) 254-4682 athompson@rwu.edu, Office of Faculty Services, Shirley Staskiewicz (401) 254-4661 sstaskiewicz@rwu.edu, Office of Financial Aid, Kathryn Politano (401) 254-4641 kpolitano@rwu.edu, Academic Success Program, Kathryn Thompson (401) 254-4568 kthompson@rwu.edu
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To Find What You Are Looking For:, Try the site search located at the top of the page. , , Try navigating from the, RWU Law Homepage, ., Check out the Current Student, Quick Links, ., For older articles or blog posts visit our, digital archive, ., Head to one of our top searched pages:, Academics Apply to the JD Apply to the MSL Law Calendars Law Library
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