­­­­­Governor McKee Swears in Five Judges

Published on Friday, June 23, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today was joined by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Committee on Judiciary Chairwoman Dawn Euer, and Chief Justice Paul Suttell as he swore in five new judges.

“I am honored to swear in these five new judges, because they are the men and women who are tasked with playing a vital role in serving our state and its residents. Their diverse backgrounds and experiences make them solid candidates to serve on the bench,” said Governor McKee. “I thank the Judicial Nominating Committee for sending us these candidates, the Senate for their confirmation, and each of these judges for their commitment to upholding and respecting the law here in Rhode Island.”

Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court, Christopher K. Smith:

Christopher K. Smith is a graduate of Hamilton College, Roger Williams University School of Law, and University of Oregon School of Law. He served as an Associate Judge on the Rhode Island District Court from 2019-2023. Prior to joining the bench, he was Chief of the District Court Division for the Rhode Island Public Defender's Office.

Smith also serves as an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University, sits on the Board of Directors for Crossroads Rhode Island and is a member of the Committee on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts. He resides with his wife and two children and will fill the seat left vacant by Judge Susan E. McGuirl.

Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court, J. Patrick O’Neill:

J. Patrick O’Neill will fill the seat vacated by Judge Elaine Bucci. O’Neill brings over 24 years of experience, including five years as a District Court Magistrate and 10 years in the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015. A graduate of Colby College and Roger Williams Law School, he now lives in Narragansett with his wife and two daughters.

Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court, Debra A. Saunders:

Debra A. Saunders will fill a newly created seat in the District Court. A graduate of Suffolk Law School and Providence College, Saunders and her husband split their time between Barrington and Newport. Since 2008, Saunders has served as Clerk of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and will bring over 25 years of legal experience to the bench having also worked as Supreme Court Deputy General Counsel, a Special Assistant Attorney General, and in private practice. She is a longstanding member of numerous Supreme Court committees including the Committee on Character and Fitness and the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and is a member of the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court, Nicholas J. Parrillo:

Nicholas J. Parrillo is a graduate of Rhode Island College and Roger Williams Law School. After law school, Parrillo served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Paul Suttell of the Rhode Island Supreme Court and then served as a public defender for five years before going into private practice as a criminal defense lawyer. In addition, Parrillo serves as an elected committee member to the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys and as a member on the Justinian Law Society of Rhode Island. He lives in East Providence with his wife, son and dog. He will fill the seat vacated by Judge Christine Jabour.

Associate Judge of the Rhode Island Workers’ Compensation Court, Moira E. Reynolds:

Moira E. Reynolds is a graduate of Providence College and Suffolk University School of Law, Reynolds now lives in North Kingstown with her husband and two children. For over two decades, she has been staff counsel to The Beacon Mutual Insurance Co. She will fill the seat vacated by Judge George Salem.

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