Roger Williams University School of Law

Overview

Roger Williams University School of Law is a private law school located in Bristol, Rhode Island. It is the only law school in Rhode Island and has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1997. The school is a member of the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) since 2006[1].

History

Established in 1993 as the first graduate degree program of Roger Williams College (now Roger Williams University), the School of Law has grown to become a significant legal education institution in the state. It gained national attention in 2007 following controversial remarks by a university trustee, which led to the renaming of the school[1].

Academics and Programs

The law school offers the Juris Doctor (JD) degree, Master of Studies in Law (MSL), and joint degree programs. These include collaborations with the University of Rhode Island for programs in marine affairs and labor relations/human resources. It also offers joint degrees in business administration, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and historic preservation[1][5].

Mission and Focus

The school's mission is to prepare students for success in both public and private sectors while promoting social justice and the rule of law. It emphasizes providing students with opportunities for pro bono legal assistance and encourages diversity among its student body and faculty[3].

Clinics and Experiential Learning

Roger Williams University School of Law provides a variety of clinical programs, including the Criminal Defense Clinic, Immigration Clinic, and the Business Start-Up Clinic. Students also have access to semester-long supervised clerkships in judicial or public interest settings[1][5].

Employment and Bar Passage

According to the ABA-required disclosures for the Class of 2017, 76.67% of graduates obtained full-time, long-term JD-required employment nine months post-graduation. The bar passage rate for first-time takers in 2023 was 57.89%[1].