2024 -- H 8120

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LC005875

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

JOYOUSLY CELEBRATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROGER WILLIAMS

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

     Introduced By: Representatives Batista, Kazarian, Potter, Shekarchi, Blazejewski,
Marszalkowski, Vella-Wilkinson, Chippendale, Shanley, and Kennedy

     Date Introduced: April 02, 2024

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams University School of Law is located in Bristol, Rhode

Island, and is the only law school in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Roger Williams University School of Law was established in 1993 after an

exploratory committee, chaired by the late Rhode Island Chief Justice Joseph Weisberger,

recommended the creation of a law school in Rhode Island. The mission of the Roger Williams

University School of Law "is to prepare students for success in the public and private sectors and

to promote social justice and the rule of law through engaged teaching, learning, and

scholarship"; and

     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams University School of Law enrolls approximately 370

students and has a faculty ratio ration close to 13:1., has been accredited by the American Bar

Association since 1997, and has been a member of the Association of American law schools since

2006. It is also one of the few law schools in the nation that offers a focus on maritime law and

has become a national leader in that field; and

     WHEREAS, From its humble beginnings in 1993, with a class of 110 full-time students

and 74 extended division students, the Roger Williams University School of Law has grown to

become one of the most active and effective law schools in the nation. Its legal clinics and pro

bono programs serve Rhode Island's diverse population exceedingly well, with a particular focus

on helping members of Rhode Island's underserved communities. The School of Law is also a

leader in the fight for equality and justice for all Americans. The school has most recently

established a new Institute for Race and the Law that will help lead the way in training future

lawyers on how to effect true justice on this most important issue within American society; and

     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams University School of Law offers a legal education that

focuses on the development of each student's analytical, ethical and legal skills through a deep

exploration of United States legal history and doctrine, as well as the study of the interaction

between American history and public policy and its relationship and interaction with the law and

society. Students are offered ample opportunities to provide pro bono services to individuals,

organizations, policy-makers, the legal profession, journalists and elected officials; and

     WHEREAS, The Roger Williams University School of Law and its esteemed Dean,

Gregory W. Bowman, M.A., J.D., understand the struggle so many people face today to pay for

college, graduate school and law school, and, as a result, has strived to keep its tuition as low as

possible. In the 2023-2024 Academic year, the Roger Williams University School of Law has the

lowest tuition in the Northeast, while at the same time providing an excellent law education, as

shown by the school's graduates Bar passage rate of 78 percent, its top ten rank for federal and

state clerkships, its top ten ranking for "Faculty Accessibility", and, most importantly, the fact

that 76.7 percent of its 2017 graduating class obtained full-time, long-term, J.D. required

employment within nine months after graduation; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

joyously celebrates the thirtieth Anniversary of the creation of the Roger Williams University

School of Law; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Roger Williams University School of Law

Dean, Gregory W. Bowman, M.A., J.D.

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LC005875

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