Zealous Advocacy = Justice for All

Curtis R. Pouliot-Alvarez L‘15 has always been drawn to the fight against injustice. But once he saw up close how the legal system disproportionately punishes poverty and marginalized communities, he knew he wanted to dedicate his life to help those affected. 

During his law school days, he served as both a student attorney at the School of Law Immigration Clinic and as law student counsel for the Federal Public Defender. He says it was these experiences that helped ultimately lead him to pursue a career in public defense.

“I became a public defender because I believe that every person deserves a fierce advocate no matter their circumstances,” said Pouliot-Alvarez.

“Public defense is where I knew I could have the greatest impact—standing beside people at their most vulnerable and pushing back against a system designed to strip them of their dignity.”

Currently, Pouliot-Alvarez is an assistant federal defender at Federal Defender Organizations. Before taking his new role this past November, he had spent over six years with Rhode Island Public Defender. He says at his job that every week is unpredictable. Some weeks can be relatively quiet, where he has time to sift through discovery, work on motions and memos, or dive into legal research. Other weeks can prove quite hectic, filled with multiple court appearances, emergency filings, and last-minute client needs. 

Since graduating in 2015, Pouliot-Alvarez has spent his legal career providing support to communities that need it most. He says he has been incredibly lucky to be part of the community of public defenders, noting that they are more than just a group of colleagues. To him, they are a family. 

“Whether it is sharing strategies during challenging cases or simply offering a listening ear after a difficult day, the solidarity is nothing short of amazing,” Pouliot-Alvarez says. 

“Knowing that I am not alone in my battles and that I can lean on a team of dedicated and resilient professionals gives me the ability to keep pushing forward, even when things seem insurmountable.”

When discussing the challenges of his role, Pouliot-Alvarez says that public defense is demanding in ways that are difficult to describe unless you have lived it. From the sheer volume of cases to the structural disadvantages built into the system to the emotional weight of the work, it can be overwhelming, Pouliot-Alvarez says that he and his colleagues are constantly handling a number of heavy issues.

“We fight every day in a system where the deck is stacked against our clients from the start,” Pouliot-Alvarez says. 

“It’s a constant fight against forces that dehumanize—poverty, systemic racism, and over-policing, to name a few. The emotional weight of this work isn’t just about the cases we lose. It’s about the people. It’s the experience that, for so many of our clients, the legal system is just one of the many systems that have failed them—long before they ever meet us.”

According to Pouliot-Alvarez, his time at Roger Williams University Law was transformative and shaped him into the attorney he is today. He chose to go to RWU because he wanted to train in an environment that was as committed to social justice as he is, and one that served the very community he calls home. 

Pouliot-Alvarez says that taking Trial Advocacy with Professor Tara Allen was a game changer for him. She taught him the art of persuasive argument, how to think on his feet, and the importance of balancing legal precision with client representation in the courtroom.

Equally as impactful for him was his participation with the Pro Bono Collaborative. Through the Collaborative, he was able to give back to his community while applying his legal training to real-world clients. 

“Working on actual cases with exceptional faculty and mentors, I saw firsthand the transformative power of zealous advocacy,” he says.

For those thinking of a career in public defense, Pouliot-Alvarez says that it is important to know why you are doing the work. He says that public defense is not just a job, it is a commitment, and it will challenge you in ways that you cannot anticipate. 

“There will be many moments of frustration, heartbreak, and exhaustion,” he says.

“Embrace these challenges, knowing that you will soon discover a community that not only understands your struggles but actively supports your growth. Lean into that community. Stay humble and keep learning.

“Listen to your clients, they are the experts in their own lives. Seek out mentors, rely on your colleagues, and never let the weight of the system dull your sense of outrage. Most importantly, take care of yourself. This work demands so much from you mentally and emotionally, nurturing your own well-being is essential to continue the fight.”