Colleen Less

Professor

JWU Faculty Since 2005

Colleen Less

Contact Info

Email
colleen.less@jwu.edu
Phone
401-589-1095
Campus
Providence

Colleen Less joined the faculty of Johnson & Wales in 2005. She has a B.A. in English from University of Massachusetts at Boston and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

Less' legal experience spans transactional work in contracts, business formation, intellectual property protection and all aspects of the civil litigation process in torts and employment discrimination. Prior to joining JWU, she taught legal research and writing at both Suffolk University Law School and New England School of Law.

Less lives in Easton, Massachusetts and, long with her husband Dan, has raised four children, the youngest of whom recently graduated college. She has served her community throughout the years in both elected and appointed positions. Specifically, Less was an elected member of the Easton Board of Selectman, an appointed member of the Easton Community Preservation Act Committee, and an elected member of the Easton School Committee where she was the Chair during her last two years. She currently serves as a member of the Steering Committee for Easton Wings of Hope, a community coalition dedicated to educating students and families about addiction, and was invited to Washington D.C. of October of 2023 to accept a Blue-Ribbon Award from the White House on behalf of the organization's exceptional work in preventing youth substance use. Professor Less is also a tutor for School on Wheels of Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to supporting students impacted by homelessness and poverty.

Professor Less tries to set an example for students, encouraging them to use their time and talents in ways that have a positive impact whenever possible. As the parent of four young adults with varied interests, skills, and personalities, she understands the challenges facing today's college students and endeavors every day to assist them on their educational journey.

Education

  • J.D., Suffolk University Law School
  • B.A., English, University of Massachusetts

While introducing students to legal concepts, I try to encourage them to engage in the world around them.

Courses

  • LAW2001: Legal Environment of Business
  • ILS4110: Capital Punishment in America
  • ILS2180: Sexuality, Science, Culture & Law
  • LAW3055: International Business Law
  • LAW5410: Food Law & Policy
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Extra Curricular Roles

Assistant Director, JWU Honors Program
3+3 JD Program Advisor and Pre-Law Advisor
Club Advisor, JWU Women's Rugby
Club Advisor, JWU Students Honors Association
Member, University Faculty Council

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Professional Affiliations

Admitted to practice before the Courts of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States
Member, Academy of Legal Studies in Business
Member, North Atlantic Regional Business Law Association

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Publications

  • Northeast Popular Culture and American Culture Association, Oct. 20, 2022, Death with Dignity: The Reflection of Euthanasia in Culture and Law
  • Johnson & Wales Faculty Scholarship Showcase, May 24, 2021, Action Research: Group Projects Growing Stale? Try Student-Created Video Documentaries
  • Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), Dec. 11, 2013, Faculty Panel Member: Thinking Inside the Box: Jury Impartiality Through Advocacy
  • North Atlantic Regional Business Law Association (NARBLA), April 6, 2013, Social Networking and the Jury System: When "Extraneous Matters" & Facebook collide. Revised Title -- "Technology and an Impartial Jury: An Oxymoron."
  • Less, Colleen A., "Technology and an Impartial Jury: An Oxymoron." Thinking Inside the Box: Jury Impartiality Through Advocacy (MCEL, Inc. 2013)