The RWU Experience | school of law: life as a law student

February…

I know what you are going to say. It’s always the same excuse. But this time it really is true. February has been such a busy month. Before you chastise me, I should fill you in on what I’ve been doing with my time. Aside from the RWU events that constitute the “Supreme Semester” you’ve no doubt read about on the Dean’s blog, there have been several student-driven initiatives as well.

The MCLSA’s annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser was a huge success as usual. Then again, I may be a bit biased. Students got the opportunity to send candy or fruitsnack grams to their friends, classmates or professors for a one dollar donation. The money we raised was donated to the Student Hurricane Network to help support the upcoming trip to Mississippi, where six RWU students will do their part to help with the continuing Katrina Relief Effort. The organization also held elections this month and named the future MCLSA leaders who will take office in late April of this year….sunrise, sunset.

There was also a very well attended ACLU debate of the meaning of the Second Amendment (essentially gun control in case you didn’t know). Our very own Professor Bogus debated with another very well learned individual in this particular field.

Lastly, the Multicultural Law Students Association and the Black Law Students Association hosted a panel discussion about the treatment of race in the criminal justice system. We invited Judge Stephen Fortunato, Jr. former Rhode Island Superior Court Justice, Robert Mann, Esq a Rhode Island attorney of the firm Mann and Mitchell and Mr. Charles Wilson Chairman and CEO of the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers. It was a lively, audience-driven discussion of the policy decisions that make race salient in the criminal justice system.

Tomorrow the MCLSA is hosting the Spring Potluck, an event very near and dear to my heart. I love to cook and I love to eat......I can’t wait.

P.S. Don’t forget to rock the vote on Tuesday, Rhode Island.

Posted by Majessire on 03/02 at 11:55 PM
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The Diary

Follow Roger Williams University School of Law student, Majessire, as she experiences the rewards and challenges of Law School in Bristol, RI.

The Blogger

My name is Majessire Smith. I’m a 3L here at Roger Williams University School of Law. In my time in Law School I have come to realize that the importance of the legal profession goes far beyond the need to defend the innocent and prosecute the guilty. Criminal prosecution and defense is one small segment of a very dense legal universe.

I work closely with Lorraine Lalli in the Office of Diversity and Outreach, to create programs to increase and foster diversity here at the Law school. I’m also the President of the Multi-Cultural Law Students Association and an active member of the Black Law Students Association. These three roles often overlap giving me the chance to participate in many of the diversity initiatives that take place here at the Law school. And as you can probably tell, that is where my primary interest lies. But I’m also a member of the Roger Williams Moot Court Board. For those who don’t know, it’s a team that helps its members to develop all the skills necessary to address an appellate court, including both oral and written advocacy skills.

Appellate level judicial review is where many of the current battles for our civil rights and personal liberties are being fought, won and in some cases lost. And personally, I have always felt that there are too many voiceless, disenfranchised populations and not enough advocates to go around. When I graduate I plan to use my newfound knowledge and understanding of this country’s legal structure to provide a voice for as many of these populations as possible.

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