Rhode Island Governor McKee Nominates Three Judges: Superior and Family Court Vacancies Filled, New District Court Chief Judge Named
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced three judicial nominations on November 6 to fill key vacancies in the state court system; all three require confirmation by the state Senate.
For the Superior Court, McKee nominated Carly Beauvais Iafrate, a labor attorney who represented retirees in the litigation over Rhode Island's 2011 pension reform and serves as an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University School of Law. She would fill the seat left by the retirement of Judge Lanphear; Superior Court judgeships in Rhode Island are lifetime appointments.
For the Family Court, he nominated magistrate Denise Cassisi Finkelman, who has served as a Family Court magistrate since 2021, to fill the vacancy created when Judge Montalbano was elevated to chief judge of that court.
For chief judge of the District Court, McKee nominated Debra Saunders, who joined the District Court bench in 2023 after 15 years as clerk of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. She would succeed Jeanne E. LaFazia as chief judge.
The Governor's Office said confirmation hearings will be scheduled by the Senate Judiciary Committee. McKee has been completing a series of lifetime judicial nominations ahead of leaving office, shaping the bench his successor will inherit. (Source: Office of the Governor of Rhode Island)
Source: Office of the Governor of Rhode Island
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