Law 401

Rhode Island Comic Con is back, and cosplay fans are preparing to bring their favorite characters to life. But what legal rules come into play behind the costumes? Hosts Michael Donnelly-Boylen and Nicole Dyszlewski sit down with attorney and cosplayer Blake Johnson L’21, to explore intellectual property, fair use, and the dos and don’ts of fandom.  Is it legal to dress as a branded character, and...

Just waking up to the fight to reopen Morley Field? Join our guest, Pawtucket City Councilor and attorney Clovis Gregor, as we unpack the dispute over Woodlawn’s only green space and the push to restore it for public use rather than turn it into a parking lot. What started as a few neighbors speaking up became a microcosm of environmental justice in Rhode Island, raising questions about stewardshi...

How are judges chosen in Rhode Island—and is the process really based on merit, or driven by political connections? Our guests — Michael Yelnosky, professor and former dean of Roger Williams University School of Law, and John Marion MSL’20, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island — unpack how judges are chosen in Rhode Island and whether the system truly rewards excellence… or favors insid...

Why does land return matter to Indigenous people? In this episode, we speak with Tai Palermo L'22, Legal Director of the Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights, about the historic return of 255 acres in Bristol, RI, from Brown University to the Pokanoket Tribe. We explore the legal, cultural, and emotional weight of this moment. What land return and the repatriation of sacred artifacts mean for trib...

Ever wondered how to turn your passion into policy? In this episode, we're joined by Professor Victoria Litman of Roger Williams School of Law, who breaks down how everyday Rhode Islanders can become powerful advocates at the state and local level. From writing letters to testifying at the State House, she shares simple, actionable steps to influence the laws that shape your life. Victoria, a nati...

This week on Law 401, we’re joined by Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Executive Director of the Economic Progress Institute, to unpack the sweeping federal legislation known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Weayonnoh and her team of experts dug through all 870 pages to break down what really matters for Rhode Islanders. From massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP to the broader legal and civil rights implicat...

This episode thrives on podcast partnership. We’re joined by Ed Fitzpatrick, veteran Boston Globe Rhode Island reporter and host of the Rhode Island Report podcast.  What is fake news? In this episode, we explore how misinformation, fueled by AI, amplified on social media, and often dismissed as “fake news,” is reshaping our legal system and democracy. From trials to government debates, misinforma...

Zoning laws, red tape, and outdated building restrictions are blocking the housing Rhode Islanders desperately need. In this episode of Law 401, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins us to break down how the General Assembly is fighting the housing crisis by passing laws to fix a system that keeps homes out of reach for so many. In this episode, we cover: How zoning laws have slowed housing growth, an...

What’s a tariff — and why do they have the power to shake the global economy, trigger political showdowns, and hit your wallet at the grocery store? In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore how tariffs impact everything from international trade to Rhode Island’s local businesses. They’re joined by Gregory W. Bowman, Dean of...

When reports surfaced about a longtime high school coach conducting "fat tests" behind closed doors, the story shocked Rhode Island — and raised serious legal and ethical questions about student safety, institutional responsibility, and transparency in public education. In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen are joined by investi...

Across the country, battles over book bans are intensifying — and Rhode Island is not immune. Who decides what’s appropriate to read? Who gets to make that call for children, schools, and public libraries? In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole P. Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen explore the growing wave of book challenges and censorship efforts, and how they inter...

New federal student loan changes could transform how Rhode Islanders pay for college, graduate school, and professional degrees — while proposed shifts at the U.S. Department of Education could reshape K–12 classrooms. From borrowing caps to changes in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) to the future of federal education support, what’s at stake for students and families across the state? On L...

In this episode of Law 401, we break down Rhode Island’s journey to legalize adult-use cannabis and what that means for everyday users, lawmakers, and communities most affected by past drug policies. Joined by Kim Ahern, Chair of the Rhode Island Cannabis Control Commission, and Michelle Reddish, a national cannabis regulator now leading Rhode Island’s cannabis office, the discussion covers the ne...

Why can’t Rhode Islanders afford to live where they work? Why are evictions rising? And what legal protections — if any — exist for people at risk of losing their homes? In this powerful episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen tackle the state’s growing housing crisis. They’re joined by Brenda Clement, Executive Director of HousingWorks RI,...

In the debut episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, we dig into one of Rhode Island’s most disruptive infrastructure failures — the sudden closure of the Washington Bridge. Joined by investigative reporter Ted Nesi (WPRI 12), we break down the legal, political, and economic fallout of the bridge shutdown, which paralyzed traffic and prompted lawsuits, public outcry, and questions about governme...

Law 401 is a podcast from Roger Williams University School of Law that unpacks timely and relevant legal topics impacting Rhode Islanders. Hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen guide listeners through these complex issues with insightful, jargon-free conversations—and a bit of fun—making the law more accessible, one episode at a time. RWU Law is the only law school in Rhode Island. C...