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Talking to Faculty Services

We're here to assist you. Read on:

Our Office Hours

We are available during the following hours:

  • Monday - Friday           8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Our Staff

Shirley Staskiewicz
Administrative Assistant
(401) 254-4661
sstaskiewicz@rwu.edu

Briana Verissimo
Administrative Assistant
(401) 254-4625
bverissimo@rwu.edu

About Us

Our faculty’s impressive credentials, academic accomplishments and deep connections throughout the legal field are harnessed into a collective force that provides the most cutting-edge legal education available.

At RWU Law, our faculty offer the best of both worlds – our professors are top-rated by The Princeton Review and our adjunct faculty include top-notch practicing justices, judges and attorneys, all ready to provide you with a premier academic foundation and a deep dive into real hands-on, experiential learning opportunities. 

Our professors have practiced in virtually every area of the law and published widely in the nation's most prestigious law reviews. Their highly-sought expert opinions have appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, the Boston Globe, the Providence Journal and virtually every other major news outlet in the United States – from CNN to NPR. They've testified before Congress, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, practiced with top law firms and respected nonprofit organizations, represented detainees at Guantanamo, served in the United Nations and the Armed Forces, and held leadership positions in such organizations as the American Bar Association and the American Law Institute.

The best part? Because of our small class sizes, our professors know their students' names and their interests. And as Rhode Island's only Law School, we have built a strong network throughout the region to connect students with unparalleled opportunities to secure the best internships and careers.

As an RWU Law student, all of this collective experience is at your fingertips – a vast reservoir of theoretical prowess and real-world know-how.

Frequently Asked Questions:

I forgot to sign the attendance sheet for class today.  Who should I talk to?
Please contact your professor for that class as soon as possible to update their attendance records.

Can I make an appointment with my professor?
Each professor keeps their own calendar.  Please contact your professor directly. 

Can I View my paper from a previous semester?
Please contact the professor directly to view an old assignment or exam. 

Who do I contact about signing up for moot court/trial team/external competitions?

The Moot Court advisor is Professor Elizabeth Colt
The Trial Team advisor is Professor Karen Smolar
The Admiralty coach is Professor Jonathan Gutoff

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.