Becoming a Lawyer

To find how to become authorized to practice law in the State of Rhode Island, visit the Rhode Island Supreme Court website.

If you are interested in attending Law School, Roger Williams University has the only Law School in Rhode Island, but there are additional options in nearby states.

The local YMCA partners with the American Bar Association to offer a program for High School students interested in studying the law called "Championing Our Students."

Finding a Lawyer

If you need legal assistance, you can search for a lawyer by location or specialty at the Rhode Island Bar Association. This site also has information about the Volunteer Lawyer Program, Lawyers for the Arts, and the Armed Forces Legal Services Project. Follow the "For the Public" link to "Finding and Choosing a Lawyer."

Low cost or free legal assistance may be sought at the Rhode Island Office of the Public Defender (for criminal matters) or at Rhode Island Legal Services (for civil or administrative matters).

Legal Information Online

General Laws of Rhode Island are published online here.

The Rhode Island Secretary of State's office maintains a useful website, including a searchable database of State Rules and Regulations on the Secretary of State website.

Rhode Island State Courts maintain a website here.

The Providence Home Rule Charter and complete City ordinances are online.

Open Government, Ethics & Human Rights

The Rhode Island Attorney General's office maintains a website of information about the Open Meetings Act.

A public meetings calendar is published on the Secretary of State's website.

Website for the Rhode Island State Ethics Commission.

Website for the Providence Human Relations Commission.

Website for the Rhode Island State Commission for Human Rights.

Website for the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Website for United States Housing and Urban Development Fair Housing.