Two new RI judges picked by McKee, plus a new District Court chief judge
Gov. Dan McKee has appointed two new Superior Court judges and a new chief judge for the District Court. For the Superior Court openings created by the retirement of Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear and Judge Joseph A. Montalbano’s ascension to presiding justice , the panel selected: Carly Beauvais Iafrate and Family Court Magistrate Denise Cassisi Finkelman. For the new chief judge of the District Court, he chose one of the court's current judges: Debra Sanders. “These three nominees have demonstrated strong character, sound judgment, and the highest integrity. I’m confident they will serve Rhode Islanders well on the bench,” McKee said in a press release issued by his office on Friday, Nov. 6. All three appointments require Senate confirmation. Who are the appointees? Iafrate is a labor and employment lawyer who has represented thousands of public retirees in their fight to preserve their pension benefits after the 2011 overhaul of the state retirement system. She has also represented many other public employees in complex disability and employment discrimination matters, as well as several high-profile clients. She is an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University School of Law, from which she holds a juris doctorate. Of note: McKee picked Iafrate
