Champions for Justice

Robert B. Mann, Esq. LHD’15
Robert B. Mann Law Office, Partner

Robert B. Mann, Esq., LHD’15, is the most well-known and the most universally respected criminal defense lawyer in Rhode Island. He has dedicated his career to taking on the hardest cases and unwinnable battles—representing the poor, the dispossessed, the most notorious, and the most despised. His unparalleled dedication to justice has been widely recognized, earning him a number of the state’s most prestigious legal awards, including the RI Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Richard Casparian Award, the RI Bar Association’s Ralph P. Semonoff Award for Professionalism, Justice Assistance’s Neil J. Houston, Jr., Memorial Award, and, most recently, the RI Federal Bar Association’s inaugural Olin Thompson Award. Mr. Mann is a graduate of Yale University and Yale Law School.

Joy C. Dingle, Esq. L'03
Senior Director, Legal Diversity Initiatives 
Street Law, Inc.

Joy C. Dingle is Senior Director of Legal Diversity Initiatives at Street Law, Inc. In that role, she manages and guides Street Law’s Legal Diversity Pipeline Program, Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Pilot Program, and Summer Bridge Program—which leverage the knowledge, talent, and experience of legal professionals to teach youth about the law and legal career paths. She believes exposure to high-quality and meaningful educational opportunities empowers everyday people, including youth, to create positive change for themselves and their communities, and she is inspired by the positive effect these programs have on the students they serve. 

In addition to her work at Street Law, Ms. Dingle has served as an educational consultant, as Associate Director of Georgetown University’s Institute for College Preparation, and as a Public Charter School teacher.  She holds a J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law, where she concentrated her course work on education policy; an M.A. in geography from Ohio State University; and a B.A. in geography from Rutgers University. 

House of Hope CDC

Founded in 1989 in Warwick, RI, House of Hope CDC is a non-profit, community development corporation built on grassroots values, aiming to serve residents of Rhode Island in preventing and ending homelessness.  House of Hope’s mission is to affirm safe, stable housing as a basic human right.  House of Hope addresses the trauma of homelessness by empowering constituents, delivering high impact innovative services, diversifying housing options, and advocating for policies to counter structural inequalities.

Megan Smith, Outreach Program Consultant for the House of Hope, has been a tireless advocate for people experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island and a collaborative partner with RWU Law on several pro bono projects. Megan’s vision and efforts have resulted in several innovative interdisciplinary initiatives around housing discrimination, court fines and fees, and driver’s license restoration.

Champion for Justice

2022 The Honorable O.Rogeriee Thompson'10HL
2020 Amato “Bud” DeLuca and Miriam Weizenbaum
2019 Robert J. McConnell, Esq., Motley Rice, LLC
2018 The Honorable Edward C. Clifton
2017 Stephen M. Prignano, Esq., McIntyre Tate, LLP
2016 The Honorable Judith Colenback Savage
2015 Linn Foster Freedman, Esq., Robinson + Cole

Alumni Public Interest Champion

2022 Akin Adepoju L '07
2020 Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, Esq. L’07, Community Legal Aid
2019 Diana deGroof, Esq. L’03, Rhode Island Legal Services
2018 Luis Mancheno, Esq. L’13, The Bronx Defenders
2017 Swapna Yeluri, Esq. L’07, Homeless Persons Representation Project
2016 Dena Castricone, Esq. ’98 L’02, Murtha Cullina, LLP
2015 Deborah Gonzalez, Esq. ’04 L’07, Gonzalez Law Offices, Inc.

Community Partner Champion

2022 Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc.
2020 Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General
2019 Rhode Island Public Defender
2018 Barton Gilman, LLP
2017 Rhode Island Medical-Legal Partnership
2016 Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island
2015 Committee for Public Counsel Services

Alyssa V. Boss, Esq. L'97, General Counsel, University of Rhode Island
Natasha A. Buckler, Esq. L'10, RI Dept. of the Attorney General
Diana deGroof, Esq. L'03, RI Dept. of the Public Defender
Amy Goins, Esq. L’12, Ursillo, Teitz, & Ritch, Ltd.
Jenna Hashway, Esq. L ’11, RWU Law Faculty
Kara A. Humm, Esq. L'08, ARPA Director, City of Fall River
Jennifer Lisi, Esq. L'18, Locke Lord
Michael J. Moloney, Esq. L'09, Fall River Housing Authority
Valerie Morozov, Esq. L’ 14, Legal Counsel, RI Lottery
Adam M. Ramos, Esq. L'06, Hinckley Allen 
Kelvin Santos, Esq. L’20, Bremer Law & Associates
Amanda Tramonte, Esq. L’21, Adler Pollock and Sheehan
Nicole Verdi, Esq. L'14, Orsted Off-Shore Wind Energy
Joshua Xavier, Esq. L'14, Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP

We invite you to support the social justice initiatives at RWU Law through a sponsorship of the 9th Annual Champions for Justice!

This special event benefits the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education, RWU Law Clinics, and the Pro Bono Collaborative at Roger Williams University School of Law. Champions for Justice has become RWU Law’s signature event for the bench and bar, business, and academic communities, and has drawn over 400+ guests each year. We are excited to host this event once again in person which allows members of the academic, legal, and student community to engage with each other.

Join us in celebrating the array of social justice initiatives at RWU Law while showcasing your firm/company, honoring the award recipients, and demonstrating your commitment to RWU Law’s public interest programming and pro bono legal service.

Champions for Justice Dean's Signature Sponsor $30,000

This sponsorship includes recognition as the Dean’s Sponsor during the event, 24 tickets (three tables), preferred seating for three tables, recognition during the event, your logo on the Champions for Justice website, invitations, signage, and event communications.

Champions for Justice Presenting Sponsor $20,000

This sponsorship includes recognition as the Presenting Sponsor during the evening’s event, 16 tickets (two tables) to the event, and your logo on the Champions for Justice website, invitations, signage, and event communications.

Champions for Justice Title Sponsors $15,000

This sponsorship includes recognition during the evening’s event, 8 tickets (one table) to the event, and your logo on the Champions for Justice website, invitations, signage, and event communications.

Champions for Justice Program Sponsors $10,000

These sponsorships support RWU Law students involved in public interest programs throughout the year. This sponsorship includes special recognition during the evening’s event and 8 (one table) tickets to the event.

Champions for Justice Award Sponsors $7,500

This sponsorship honors the awardees while supporting public interest programs at RWU Law. This sponsorship includes special recognition during the evening’s event, 8 (one table) tickets to the event, your logo on the Champions for Justice website, signage, and event communications.

Champions for Justice Reception Sponsor $5,000

Add your name to the reception at the Champions of Justice Event. This sponsorship includes formal recognition during the reception as well as the logo throughout the early event hours, 4 event tickets, your logo on the Champions for Justice website, signage, and event communications.

Champions for Justice Event Sponsorships $2,000

This sponsorship includes special recognition during the evening’s event and 2 tickets to the event.  This sponsorship includes formal recognition during the reception as well as the logo throughout the early event hours, 4 event tickets, your logo on the Champions for Justice website, signage, and event communications.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Matt Devecchi at mdevecchi@rwu.edu or 401-254-3735.

Thank you!

http://events.handbid.com/auctions/champions-for-justice-2023

All are welcome to participate in the 2023 Champions for Justice virtual auction. Bidding is now live and more items will be coming soon!