2010-2014

“All of a sudden, it’s like RWU Law has always been here. It’s the resource people naturally go to when seeking input on issues in the legal community.”

~ Peter Kilmartin ’98, Attorney General of the State of Rhode Island (2011-2019)

2010

Betty Anna WatersRWU Law hosts a special Advance Screening of Conviction (2011), a major-motion picture starring Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver as RWU Law alumni Betty Anne Waters ’98 and Abra Rice ’98 and their true-life battle to free Waters' wrongly convicted brother from prison.

 

Peter KilmartinPeter Kilmartin ’98 is elected Attorney General of Rhode Island.

 

 

 

Attorney Mark MandellAttorney Mark Mandell is elected chairman of RWU Law’s Board of Directors, succeeding the Honorable Joseph R. Weisberger. A prominent Rhode Island attorney and popular adjunct professor, Mandell had served as president of both the Rhode Island Bar Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He also served on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Panel and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Judicial Appointments.

2011

Associate Justice Stephen BreyerAssociate Justice Stephen Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court spends a day at RWU Law.

 

 

2012

The Santoro Business Law Lecture Series becomes RWU Law’s second endowed lectureship. It was endowed entirely by alumni support, following a lead gift from Brian Ali ’07. Frank Fahrenkopf – co-chair of the Presidential Debates Commission, former RNC chair, and head of American Gaming Association – is first speaker.

Associate Justice Samuel AlitoAssociate Justice Samuel Alito of the U.S. Supreme Court spends a day at RWU Law.

 

 

2013

20th Anniversary20th Anniversary Celebration20th Anniversary Celebration begins, for 2013-14 academic year. As of May 2013, the total number of RWU Law Alumni stood at 2,662.

 

 

 

Associate Justice Elena KaganAssociate Justice Elena Kagan of the U.S. Supreme Court addresses first-year class of RWU Law.

 

 

 

Former Associate Justice Sandra Day O'ConnorFormer Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor of the U.S. Supreme Court spends a day at RWU Law.

 

 

2014

Professor Michael YelnoskyProfessor Michael J. Yelnosky appointed the fifth Dean of RWU Law, effective July 1. Yelnosky was a founding faculty member of RWU Law.

 

 

 

Chief Judge William E. SmithChief Judge William E. Smith, of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, elected chair of RWU Law’s Board of Directors, effective July 1.

Timeline

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.