What is the New York Pro Bono Scholars Program (NYPBSP)?, RWU Law is proud to participate in the , New York Pro Bono Scholars Program (NYPBSP), , a program in New York State for qualifying third year law students. Third year law students can spend 12 weeks of their final spring semester in law school providing full-time pro bono legal assistance to low-income people while participating in a required 2-credit weekly seminar. In exchange, these students will be permitted to take the New York Bar Exam in February of their third year of…, New York, , Pro Bono Scholars Program, and all graduation requirements, be admitted to practice as a member of the New York Bar as soon as possible after completion of the program. Participation, Pro Bono placements and supervising attorneys must be approved by RWU Law. New York Pro Bono Scholars will be able to participate in graduation ceremonies in May but will receive their diplomas in June upon completion of the program., How many credits will I receive if I participate?, 10 field credits and 2 seminar credits. To be eligible for the NYPBSP, an applicant must have at least 10 non-classroom credits remaining at the end of the fall 3L semester., Note, : Students planning to participate in the NYPBSP may not enroll in a clinical externship because there is a limit of 10 fieldwork credits that students may take., What kinds of pro bono work qualify for the NYPBSP?, Qualifying pro bono service for NYPBSP must be law-related, full-time, supervised by a licensed attorney, and assist in the provision of legal services for: (1) persons who are financially unable to pay for legal representation; (2) not-for-profit legal service providers that predominantly address the legal needs of indigent clients where the work performed is for such clients; or (3) a…, What are the NYPBSP Requirements?, Please refer to the, New York Pro Bono Scholars Guide, for a complete description of the requirements of the program and the kinds of pro bono work that are eligible. Please note, however, that not all pro bono work that is eligible under the program will also comply with RWU Law’s program requirements. Because the RWU Law program requires enrollment in a special section of the Public Interest Clinical Externship, placements in private law firms…, New York State Unified Court System’s Pro Bono Scholars Program website, . RWU Law must approve participation and specific placements in the NYPBSP program., What are RWU Law’s specific requirements for NYPBSP participation?, For RWU Law specific information, guidelines and deadlines for the NYPBSP, please review this document and NY Pro Bono Scholars Curricular Track . To be considered for the NYPBSP, interested students must submit a NY Pro Bono Scholars application during the Clinic and Clinical Externship application period held during the spring semester of his or her second year. Requirements and Limitations…, will not, count toward the RWU Law Pro Bono Experiential Learning Requirement. A NYPBS is strongly advised to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) before beginning the NYPBSP so that they are able to be admitted to the New York State Bar promptly upon passage of the Bar Exam and law school graduation. NY uses the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and NY law is not tested on the UBE. However,…, Further information about these requirements, . , How do I apply to the NYPBSP?, To be considered for the NYPBSP, interested students must submit a Pro Bono Scholars application during the Clinic and Clinical Externship application period held during the spring semester of his or her second year. Students interested in participating in the New York Pro Bono Scholars Program should be aware that participation will , require extensive planning and preparation starting in the spring semester of their first year of law school, . Given that students in the program , must complete all of their academic coursework and their PBELR by the end of the fall semester of their third year, , all interested students should work with their faculty advisors, the Office of Career Development, and the Academic Success Department to carefully plan their schedules to ensure they will be fully prepared to take the bar exam and start their careers. Additionally, beyond the normal hurdles student face when preparing for the bar exam, taking the February bar exam presents additional…, Note: Students planning to participate in the NYPBSP may not enroll in a clinical externship because there is a limit of 12 fieldwork credits students may take., Will I pay tuition while doing the NYPBSP?, Yes, for the 12 credits., Do I have to do the fieldwork in New York?, No., What other resources should I consult in considering NYPBSP?, Please refer to the, New York Pro Bono Scholars Guide, for a complete description of the requirements of the program and the kinds of pro bono work that are eligible. Please note, however, that not all pro bono work that is eligible under NYPBSP will also comply with RWU Law’s program requirements. Because the RWU Law program requires enrollment in a special section of the Public Interest Clinical Externship, placements in private law firms and…, New York State Unified Court System’s Pro Bono Scholars Program website, . If you have any questions about the NYPBSP requirements or need assistance determining if the program is right for you, please contact Andy Horwitz, Assistant Dean for Experiential Education, at ahorwitz@rwu.edu ., Notes on NY Bar Exam, NY has switched to the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and NY law is not tested on the UBE. However, applicants to the NY Bar are required to complete the New York Law Course and New York Law Exam as a prerequisite for admission. A NYPBS is strongly encouraged to complete these requirements during their 2L summer. , Further information about these requirements, .
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New York Bar Pro Bono Admission Requirement, The state of New York has a pro bono requirement for all New York Bar applicants. All applicants for admission by examination to the New York Bar must perform 50 hours of law-related pro bono service prior to filing their application. Pro bono hours that count toward fulfillment of RWU Law’s graduation requirement , may not necessarily qualify, for compliance with the New York rule. We urge you to carefully review the bar admissions requirements and contact the NY Bar directly with specific questions. RWU Law students are responsible for reviewing and complying with bar admissions requirements, including the New York Pro Bono requirement. RWU Law , cannot officially verify or confirm that a particular activity will qualify. Below you will find guidance and advice regarding the law but , applicants should contact the NY Bar directly with specific questions., Please review Official information, Rule Overview, Under the rule ( 22NYCRR 520.16 ), pro bono is broadly defined, though the work must be law-related in nature and supervised by an attorney or judge. Examples of qualifying activities include: Law-school sponsored clinics that provide legal services to those who cannot afford representation; Externships or internships (even if funded or performed for academic credit) for a nonprofit provider of…, Documentation, Applicants will need to file an Affidavit of Compliance for each pro bono activity used to satisfy the 50-hour requirement. Each Affidavit must be certified and signed by the appropriate supervising attorney or faculty member. , Affidavits should be completed immediately after the qualifying pro bono work is done, , as tracking down supervisors or required information months or years after the pro bono work has been completed will be very difficult. Students are solely responsible for retaining their completed affidavit(s) for submission with their application for admission to the New York Bar. You can link to a fillable Affidavit of Compliance form .
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The new rule, some helpful FAQs, and the Affidavit of Compliance can be found at: http://www.nycourts.gov/attorneys/probono/baradmissionreqs.shtml ., RWU Law Specific FAQs:, If you have specific questions about the New York Bar Pro Bono Requirement, we encourage you to contact the New York State Unified Court System directly. You can email questions to ProBonoRule@nycourts.gov , or call toll-free to 1-855-227-5482. For RWU Law-specific questions, contact Eliza Vorenberg at evorenberg@rwu.edu or (401) 254-4597. Below please find answers to some questions raised…, Can I use the hours from the Pro Bono Experiential Learning Requirement to meet the NY requirement?, Yes, with some exceptions. Hours of law-related pro bono work used to complete the RWU pro bono requirement can also be used towards satisfying the New York Pro Bono Requirement, , provided they meet the pro bono definition described above (law-related pro bono under the supervision of an attorney), . Some RWU Law programs that qualify for the RWU pro bono requirement DO NOT qualify under the New York Rule. For example, coaching moot court does not qualify. Participating in VITA may not qualify. Your pro bono must be “law-related” , and, supervised by an attorney or judge. Please contact Eliza Vorenberg if you have any questions about whether a particular pro bono activity will qualify under the New York rules., On the Affidavit of Compliance, does my supervisor's signature need to be notarized?, No. The completed Affidavit of Compliance must be notarized before it is submitted, but your Supervisor's certification does not need to be separately notarized., Do credit-bearing clinic and externship hours count?, Yes, they may, depending on the clinic or externship. In-house counsel externship hours will , not, count., Can I combine multiple placements to reach the 50 hours?, Yes. Each placement will require a separate affidavit., Can an entirely student-run pro bono project count toward the pro bono requirement?, No. The pro bono project must be supervised by an attorney or judge.
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Below is a quick list of ways RWU law students can meet the NY pro bono requirement rule through RWU Law programs. This should be used as an initial guide for identifying ways you may have already met the NY pro bono requirement. Once you have identified a program that may qualify, please make sure you read the NY rule, FAQs, and the Affidavit of Compliance . I have completed one of the following…
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Today RWU Law’s ASB program is a robust and popular program placing students in local, regional and national pro bono legal service projects 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 our previous ASB placements include:, Project Name, Placement Location, Area of Law, Bronx Defenders Bronx, NY Public Defender Brooklyn Defender Services Brooklyn, NY Public Defender Catholic Social Services ILEAP Fall River, MA Immigration City of Central Falls Law Department Central Falls, RI Municipal Law Community Defense Project - Providence Youth Student Movement Providence RI Civil Rights Conservation Law Foundation Providence, RI & Boston, MA Environmental Community…, Up until now, I never understood when lawyers would visit the school, talk to us and say "if you love doing the work it doesn't feel like work." This is the first job where every time I get a new assignment, I am excited to get into it....It is a feeling I never thought I would have about working or the law.", "...one of the most important thing I learned was that valuing your clients is one the most important parts of being an attorney.", "I am a strong advocate for Alternative Spring Break because this exposure teaches students what it takes to be a successful attorney for their clients.", “My time spent at [ASB placement] was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had while at Roger Williams. [My ASB placement] was not just a valuable experience for me to help me discover what I don’t want to do, it helped me understand another area of law that I would probably never have been exposed to…”, “This week opened my eyes to what I really want to focus on in law school and as a lawyer…”, “I’m really happy that I now have some client interaction experience under my belt.” “This entire experience has shown me how valuable public interest law and pro bono work truly is…”, “I’ve worked in a corporate setting since graduating college and I’ve never had the feeling that I did working at [my ASB Placement], that I had really made a difference to someone in need.”, “This experience reminded me of why I came to law school…”, “...I really needed an experience like this to remind me what I am working so hard for.”, “...Alternative Spring Break is one of the best resources that students at this school can use to take the principles instilled in us at school and see where they can be utilized in the real world. I will be hard-pressed to find another educational experience that is so enriching in just one week.”, “Everyday, I woke up excited to go and I believe anyone else who chooses this program will have a similar enjoyable and engaging experience.”, “Being at [ASB ] this week has taught me that lawyering doesn’t stop with your doctrinal courses….Being a lawyer is so much more…”, ASB is open to all RWU law students, and you can apply to participate in ASB each year you are here if you wish. Participants are responsible for all travel expenses; however, we do secure air or train fare and provide a small stipend for placements more than 2-3 hours away from Rhode Island., Want to learn more?, We hold an Info Session in early October each year and announce the placements for the year and begin accepting applications in December/January. Keep an eye on your email for ASB announcements or stop by the Feinstein Center anytime for more information.
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BRISTOL, R.I., – It’s one thing to honor a respected colleague and well-loved professor upon his retirement – but how to pay tribute to a man who is, in many ways, the , sine qua non, of the institution itself; one who is, perhaps more than any other single individual, responsible for the very existence of Roger Williams University School of Law? At the very least, you name a classroom after him. And so last Friday evening, the former Room 262 at RWU Law was dedicated as the Professor Anthony J. Santoro Classroom, with around 100 law faculty, alumni and current…, Roger Williams Law Review, noted in 2014, “His long tenure here suggests that the last law school established by Dean Santoro was arguably his finest, and the state-of-the-art facility he envisioned some twenty years ago stands as a testament to his efforts.” Santoro classroom dedication During his remarks at the dedication, Dean Yelnosky pointed out just how pervasive the law school’s reach has become, with successful…, [With reporting by Edward Fitzpatrick and Alexander Bowden. Photos by Andrea Hansen.], ____________________________________________, SANTORO STORIES, At the dedication ceremony, RWU School of Law Dean Michael J. Yelnosky recalled that the law school opened in 1993 at about the time that a chief judge of Rhode Island Supreme Court was resigning in the face of impeachment proceedings. It marked the second time in seven years that the state’s top judge had resigned amid the possibility of impeachment. Common Cause Rhode Island had asked Yelnosky…, “He listened to me and did not hesitate,” Yelnosky said of Santoro. “He quickly said, ‘That’s one of the reasons the law school is here. By all means – you have my support. Do what you think is best.’ ”, Yelnosky said, “Tony showed me that day what it meant to stand up for academic freedom, which is not an easy thing to do when an institution is in its infancy, when it’s trying to establish roots in unfamiliar terrain and where it’s trying to win over not an unsubstantial number of skeptics.”, ***, Professor Anthony J. Santoro told the story of how former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. took a train from Washington, D.C., one day when he was getting older. As the train pulled from Union Station, a conductor asked the judge for his ticket. Holmes searched his coat pocket, his vest pocket, his brief case, but couldn’t find the ticket. So the conductor told him not to…, Santoro drew laughter when he said he feels the same way now., “In two weeks, I will be 50 years at the bar, 47 years as an academic, 46 years as a husband,” Santoro said. “Now, I don’t know what is going to happen to me in the future. I’m not taking up golf. I’m not taking up photography. But I do have one big fear. Now that the university has honored me by naming the classroom and bestowing upon me the rank, if you will, of president emeritus or professor…, ***, If you are interested in making a gift in honor of Professor Santoro and his signal contributions to the University and the School of Law, your gift will be applied to our Professor Anthony J. Santoro Campaign goal of $100,000., To make a secure gift online: , https://give.evertrue.com/rwu/santoro
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The New York Times Editorial Board stated that the “ Migration Policy Institute reported in 2013 that the federal government spends more each year on immigration enforcement — through Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol — than on all other federal law enforcement agencies combined.” According to a 2013 article in an ABA publication , “[t]here are two types of…, Kurzban's Immigration Law Sourcebook; , more than 280 immigration forms; immigration-related statutes, regulations, and case law; agency correspondence and manuals, including the , USCIS Adjudicator's Field Manual; , AILA/government liaison minutes; and a wide selection of AILA publications beyond, Kurzban. , This month we are featuring a small display of immigration law materials in the library. The display in the library is a small selection of the resources we have on immigration at the library. We have books, e-books, databases, and other resources on this topic and we are excited to tell you about them. And speaking of the New York Times, the Library also offers complimentary digital access to…, Students1, or , Faculty/Staff, Go to: http://nytimes.com/grouppass Create an account or renew your account NOTE: You must renew the account annually, so be sure to add the expiration date to your calendar! Stop by and see the librarians to discuss your immigration-related research needs (or any of your other research needs, too)! NOTE: You must renew the account annually, so be sure to add the expiration date to your calendar…
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As mid-terms are quickly approaching, many of you may be in search of study aids. Fear not! The Law Library has a plethora of study aids options., E-Study Aids, The Law Library has two digital study aids collections available for you to use both on and off campus: the , RWU Law Digital Library, and , West Academic Online Study Aids, . The RWU Law Digital Library provides access to a variety of titles from LexisNexis, including: The , RWU Law Digital Library, provides access to a variety of titles from LexisNexis, including: eBooks: Understanding Series, Questions & Answers, Law Students Guides, Legal Research Guides, Mastering Series, and Skills & Values Series., West Academic Online Study Aids, provides access to both eBook and audio study aid content including: eBooks: Nutshells, Concise Hornbooks, Acing Series, Black Letter Series, Law Stories Series, Short & Happy Guides, Turning Point Series, and many more! Audio: Sum & Substance and Law School Legends. Want to know the coolest part? All study aids from the RWU Law Digital Library and West Academic Online Study Aids are…, RWU Law Digital Library, . For off-campus access to the , West Academic Online Study Aids , and to save notes/highlights, register on campus using the "Create an Account" option at the top of the opening page., CALI, In addition to the study aids, the Law Library offers free access to several CALI (The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction) tools. CALI tools, authored by expert law school professors and law librarians, are designed to enhance your study of legal concepts and legal research. CALI Lessons consist of over 1000 interactive lessons in over 40 legal subject areas. Lessons are accessible…, Lexis Courtroom Cast, The Law Library also offers free unlimited access to the LexisNexis Courtroom Cast Audio CaseFiles and Video Training Library. You can use these to hone your trial and appellate advocacy skills by watching civil litigation or trial advocacy video clips. You can also download the audio of case excerpts from casebooks in MP3 format. Be sure to use your law school email address when signing up for…, Study Aids LawGuides, All of the information listed above (and much more) can be found in the Law Library’s Study Aids LawGuides ! These guides are organized by class subject, including guides for all 1L classes and many of the 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 Sum & Substance Audio series &…
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As the Legal Beagle sits to write this, a major data breach involving credit monitoring company Equifax has made the news . If you read or even watch the news regularly, you will know that this is not the first and likely not the last security breach that may have an effect on your finances, personal information, or even health information. How can you protect yourself from future attacks? …
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