Raquel M. Ortiz

Photo of Raquel M. Ortiz
Raquel M. OrtizAssistant Dean for Library & Information ServicesAssociate Professor of Law

Contact Information

401-254-4530rortiz@rwu.eduSSRN Author PageCurriculum Vitae

Education

J.D., Suffolk University
M.S., Simmons College
B.A., Harvard College

Assistant Dean Raquel M. Ortiz has worked in academic law libraries for over 25 years in the areas of patron services, reference, and library administration. In her current position, she oversees the law library.

Dean Ortiz teaches Advanced Legal Research and Introduction to Legal Research and Citation.  She previously taught Legal Information Sources at the Simmons College School of Library and Information Science. Dean Ortiz previously worked at Boston University's Law Library, Harvard Law School Library, and various other libraries in the Harvard University system. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

An active member of the American Association of Law Libraries, NELLCO, and Law Librarians of New England, Dean Ortiz has served on numerous committees and leadership positions within these organizations. She currently serves on the NELLCO Board of Directors and LLNE Executive Board. Born in Puerto Rico, Dean Ortiz is fluent in Spanish. As an avid technology user, Dean Ortiz is interested in technology applications for law, library management, and legal research. Her hobbies include reading, paper crafting, and jewelry making.

Books

What Color is Your C.F.R.? (Chicago, Illinois: CALI, 2016)(with Nicole Dyszlewski, illustrated by Liz Gotauco)

Articles

Mass Incarceration: An Annotated Bibliography, 21 Roger Williams University Law Review 471 (2016)(with Nicole Dyszlewski & Lucinda Harrison-Cox)

Close Course Type Descriptions

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility.  Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses.  Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor.  RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.