BRISTOL – When Lorraine Lalli graduated from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2001, she was among only a handful of students of color.
But in the nearly 19 years since Lalli was hired as the law school’s first director of diversity and outreach, she has helped shepherd legions more students of color through the doors by engaging the community and encouraging high school and college students to consider a legal profession.
“Diversity just doesn’t happen naturally. You have to take steps to build it,” said Lalli, now the associate dean of student life and operations.
Today, students of color make up 28% of the first-year class at the state’s only law school, up from 9% when she began.
Fresh view of Providence revealed talents not being realized
Lalli gravitated to the law school after graduating magna cum laude from Spelman College. She returned to Providence and with new eyes saw the Mount Hope neighborhood she grew up in.
“I could see the community in a different way,” Lalli said. She noticed bright people whose talents weren’t being realized.
Roger Williams University School of Law appealed to her for its welcoming environment and focus on public-interest law, she said.
“I always felt affirmed by the community. I always felt supported,” Lalli said.
Building partnerships, lending support
After earning a law degree, Lalli practiced with Brown Rudnick LLP in Boston before returning to her alma mater to help boost its diversity and lend students, particularly students of color, the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.
For some, it is difficult to adjust to the rigors of law school and juggling 50-plus hours of homework a week, she said. For others, it may represent the first time they have experienced failure as they adjust to the analytical mindset
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