Roger Williams Law receives $4M Mandell gift to build trial advocacy training center

Roger Williams University School of Law has announced a $4 million gift from Mark Mandell, a Rhode Island trial attorney, to establish a trial advocacy center focused on training the next generation of trial lawyers. The endowment will fund a program integrating coursework, simulations, competitions, practitioner training, and continuing legal education grounded in methodology developed by Mandell. The award will also fund scholarships and program infrastructure while expanding access for students and attorneys, aiming to strengthen courtroom advocacy skills and improve the quality of civil justice practice.