Law 401

By Roger Williams University School of LawSociety & Culture

Law 401 episodes

October 27Why Can't a $100K Income Buy a Home in Rhode Island?
Can you afford to buy a home or rent an apartment in Rhode Island?
In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, hosts Nicole and Michael celebrate the release of the 2026 Housing Factbook with special guest Brenda Clement, Executive Director of Housing Works Rhode Island. They also highlight a major milestone: Housing Works Rhode Island is officially joining Roger Williams University School of Law, bringing data, research, and policy expertise directly into the law school community.
Together, they break down the stark reality facing Rhode Island families—from why a $100,000 salary can no longer buy an affordable starter home anywhere in the state to how local zoning reforms, eviction defense programs, and faith-based housing initiatives are offering new solutions.
In this episode, we cover:
The 2026 Housing Factbook Findings: Why over 1 in 3 Rhode Islanders are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing.
The $100K Salary Benchmark: Why there is not a single city or town in Rhode Island where earning $100,000 allows you to buy an average-priced home without being cost-burdened.
Housing Stock & Underproduction: Decades of underbuilding starter homes and rentals since the 1980s peak.
Demographic Shifts & Economic Impact: What it means for the local economy now that Rhode Island has more residents over 65 than under 15.
Racial Disparities in Homeownership: Exploring the persistent wealth and ownership gap between white, Black, and Hispanic residents.
Silver Linings & Policy Solutions: An uptick in building permits, the rise of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs/in-law apartments), falling eviction rates, and "YIGBY" (Yes In God's Backyard) faith-based housing bills.
Housing Works RI x RWU Law: How combining state research with the law school’s Housing Policy Clinic, Pro Bono Collaborative, and Eviction Help Desk creates exciting possibilities for access to justice.
38 min
October 20Estate Planning Myths Busted: Wills, Probate & What Happens When You Die
Think estate planning is only for the super rich? Think again!
In our latest episode of Law 401, we’re joined by attorney Rebecca Dupras to bust the biggest myths about wills, probate court, ex-spouses on life insurance, and what actually happens to your assets when you die.
What actually happens to your stuff when you die? As spooky season approaches, Nicole and Michael dive into the ultimate taboo topic—death, probate, and estate planning—with Rhode Island and Massachusetts attorney Rebecca Dupras. Whether you think estate planning is only for the super wealthy or assume your spouse automatically gets everything, this episode busts the most common legal myths surrounding wills, trusts, and life estates.
In this episode, we cover:
What counts as an "estate"? (Hint: You don't need a mansion in Newport—your vinyl collection counts!)
Will vs. Probate: Why having a will doesn't automatically mean avoiding probate court.
Spouse Rights & Life Estates: Why a surviving spouse might end up sharing a house with 19 distant cousins.
The Danger of Exes & DIY Wills: Why forgotten beneficiary forms and cheap online wills lead to costly legal messes.
Essential Legal Documents: Powers of Attorney, healthcare proxies, and beneficiary designations every adult needs starting at age 18.
Bonus: Is a traditional Viking funeral actually legal?
Don't leave your family guessing or let state law decide what happens to your assets. Tune in to decode estate planning and learn what simple steps you can take today!
40 min
October 13Gutting the Endangered Species Act? How Redefining "Harm" Impact Wildlife
What actually happens when federal regulations change a single word in environmental law?
In this episode, hosts Nicole and Michael sit down with Janet Coit, executive director of Farm Fresh Rhode Island, former director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), and former head of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.
Together, they unpack recent regulatory shifts surrounding the Endangered Species Act (ESA), including the contentious removal of habitat destruction from the legal definition of "harm" and what narrower interpretations of prohibited "take" mean for imperiled species.
In this episode, we cover:
The "Pit Bull" of Environmental Laws: Why the Endangered Species Act was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support and how it functions across federal agencies.
Redefining "Harm" & "Take": How eliminating habitat destruction from regulatory definitions alters decades of legal precedent.
Babbitt v. Sweet Home & Supreme Court Precedent: Reviewing the landmark 1995 6–3 decision and Justice Scalia’s influential dissent.
Local Impacts in New England: How the ESA protects piping plovers on Rhode Island beaches, North Atlantic right whales off the coast, and the charismatic American burying beetle on Block Island.
Offshore Wind & Economic Balance: How federal consultations use spotters, bubble curtains, and seasonal bans to balance economic growth with species protection.
What is the "God Squad"? The history of the Endangered Species Committee (TVA v. Hill) and recent emergency exemptions granted to the oil and gas industry.
Modernizing Environmental Law: How incentives, climate change updates, and proactive conservation can strengthen wildlife protection.
54 min
October 0611 to 1 Holdout: The Lindsay Clancy Mistrial & Jury Rules Explained
In this episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, hosts Nicole and Michael dive deep into the high-profile Massachusetts trial of Lindsay Clancy, who allegedly killed her three children while suffering from severe mental illness. Joining the conversation is Roger Williams University School of Law criminal law professor and former public defender Shannon Heery.

Together, they decode the legal mechanics behind the "insanity defense," the standards of criminal responsibility in Massachusetts, and why this case resulted in a mistrial with an 11-to-1 jury vote.
In this episode, we cover:
Lack of Criminal Responsibility: What the legal standard means under Massachusetts law and who carries the burden of proof.
Planning vs. Psychosis: Can someone plan an act and still lack criminal responsibility under the law?
Archaic Legal Terminology: Why the law continues to use phrases like "mental disease or defect".
The Role of Expert Witnesses: How 12 jurors weigh conflicting psychiatric testimony to resolve questions of fact.
Andrea Yates & Historical Context: Comparing public perception, medical awareness, and legal responses from 2001 to 2026.
Jury Deliberations & Holdouts: What happens when a jury is deadlocked 11 to 1, and when a judge can—or cannot—remove a juror.
What Happens Next? Pre-trial motions, directed verdict arguments, and the realistic challenges of finding an impartial jury for a retrial.
47 min
September 29Dolly Parton vs. Polly Darton: When Legal Parody Hits Trademark Limits
What happens when a clever joke collides with federal trademark law? In this episode of Law 401, hosts Nicole and Michael explore a unique Rhode Island legal dispute involving country music icon Dolly Parton and a local food truck company called The Perky Turkey, which attempted to trademark the name "Polly Darton" for a turkey restaurant. Joined by guest attorney and legal scholar Luke Blackadar, Deputy Director of the Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston and entertainment law professor, we unpack the mechanics of trademark rights, brand dilution, and First Amendment protections for parody.
In this episode, we cover:
What is a Trademark? From brand names and logos to non-conventional "trade dress" like Pizza Hut roofs.
Common Law vs. Federal Registration: Why trademark rights come from use rather than filing paperwork.
Dolly Parton vs. Polly Darton: How Dolly’s legal team opposed the trademark application before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB).
The DuPont Factors: How courts and the USPTO decide if two brand names are confusingly similar.
Parody vs. Commercial Use: Why making a joke on Saturday Night Live is legally different from putting a celebrity-pun name on a food truck or merchandise.
Trademark Clearance Searches: Practical steps small businesses must take before picking a brand name.
Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, small business owner, or country music fan, tune in to learn how intellectual property law works in the real world!
51 min
September 22 Rhode Island Shoreline Access: Who Has the Right to the Shore?
Who has the right to access Rhode Island’s shoreline, and what happens when public access points are difficult to find or reach?
On this episode of the LAW 401 Podcast, hosts Nicole and Michael speak with Kate McCarthy, a community organizer with Save The Bay, about Rhode Island’s public shoreline access laws and the state’s 236 designated rights of way.
This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.
34 min
September 15 The Last Don of Providence: Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio and the Rhode Island Mob
What can the story of Providence mob boss Luigi “Baby Shacks” Manocchio reveal about organized crime and the law in Rhode Island?
On this episode of the LAW 401 Podcast, WPRI investigative reporter Tim White joins hosts Nicole and Michael to discuss Manocchio’s life, his rise in the New England Mafia and the legal cases that shaped his story. White produced The Last Don of Providence, an in-depth look at Manocchio and the rise and decline of organized crime in New England.

This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.
51 min
September 08 The Real Housewives of Rhode Island & the Law: What’s Real and What’s Not?
What’s real and what’s not when it comes to Rhode Island law and The Real Housewives of Rhode Island? On this episode of the LAW 401 Podcast, Bekah Berger, co-host of the morning show on 92 PRO-FM and host of Real Talk Rhody, joins the conversation to break down RHORI, reality TV, and the legal questions behind the drama.
The episode explores Rhode Island laws and real-life legal questions raised by the show, including no-siren ordinances, while also looking at Rhode Island culture, geography and the story of how The Real Housewives of Rhode Island came to the Ocean State. It’s a conversation about where reality TV meets Rhode Island law — and what’s actually real.
This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not provide legal advice.
53 min
June 30 Civic Engagement and Community Participation with David Cicilline
Continuing Law 401's season-long exploration of civics, hosts MDB and Nicole sit down with David Cicilline, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. They discuss what it means to be an engaged citizen. Drawing on Cicilline’s experience as a state rep, Mayor of Providence, member of Congress, and civic leader, he reflects on public service, civic participation and trust in institutions. Join us for a conversation about identity, representation, and the many ways Rhode Islanders can make a difference in their communities.
Resources
David Cicilline
https://rifoundation.org/about/team
Community Foundations for Civic Health
https://cfleads.org/civic-health/
WPRI 12+ free TV app 
Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 
https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/ 

The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.
42 min
June 23 Citizens United, Dark Money, and Super PACs Explained
Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins us for a conversation on Citizens United v. FEC, dark money, Super PACs, and money’s influence on elections. Senator Whitehouse explains how the Supreme Court’s decision transformed campaign finance, the role of outside groups in molding the courts, and what reforms like transparency laws and the DISCLOSE Act could change going forward.
Resources
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/
Citizens United v. FEC
https://www.fec.gov/legal-resources/court-cases/citizens-united-v-fec/
DISCLOSE Act
https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/512

WPRI 12+ free TV app 
Stream bite-size episodes of Law 401 anytime on WPRI 12+ 
https://www.wpri.com/wpri-12-tv-app/ 
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and may not apply to individual situations; listeners are encouraged to consult their own legal counsel before acting on any information discussed.
47 min

About Law 401

From the publisher's feed

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…