List of first women lawyers and judges in Rhode Island

This is a list of the first women lawyer(s) and judge(s) in Rhode Island. It includes the year in which the women were admitted to practice law (in parentheses). Also included are women who achieved other distinctions such becoming the first in their state to graduate from law school or become a political figure.

Firsts in state history

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Mary Ann Greene: First female lawyer to argue a case before the Rhode Island Supreme Court (1907)

Lawyers

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  • First female to argue a case before the Rhode Island Supreme Court: Mary Ann Greene (1888; Massachusetts) in 1907[1]
  • First female: Ada Lewis Sawyer (1920)[2]
  • First African American female: Dorothy Crockett (1932)[3][4]

Law Clerk

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  • First female to clerk for Rhode Island's federal courts: Sandra L. Lynch (1971)[5]

State judges

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Federal judges

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Attorney General of Rhode Island

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Deputy Attorney General

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  • First female: Susan E. McGuirl[19]

United States Attorney

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Public Defender

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Rhode Island Bar Association

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  • First female president: Beverly Glen Long from 1981-1982[22]
  • First Jewish American female president: Susan DeBlasio in 1989[9]
  • First African American (female): Jametta Alston in 2004[23]

Political Office

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Firsts in local history

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See also

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Other topics of interest

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References

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  1. ^ "Women's Legal History | Biographical Search". Women's Legal History. Retrieved 2017-10-25.
  2. ^ Association, American Bar (June 1975). ABA Journal. American Bar Association.
  3. ^ "New England Law | Boston – Centennial Exhibit (Blanche Braxton and Dorothy Crockett - Portia Law School 1921 and 1931)". student.nesl.edu. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  4. ^ Bell, Andrew J. (May 1997). An assessment of life in Rhode Island as an African American in the era from 1918 to 1993. Vantage Press. ISBN 9780533120659.
  5. ^ "Sandra L. Lynch '68". Wellesley College. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  6. ^ a b c d Delaney, Michael. "Irish who left their mark on Rhode Island sod". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
  7. ^ Mooney, Tom. "Passages: Judge Corinne P. Grande, 89, presided over von Bulow retrial". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  8. ^ Friendly, Jon; Times, Special to The New York (1985-06-02). "Judge Grande: She Keeps Von Bulow Case on Track". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  9. ^ a b Rhode Island Jewish Historical Notes. Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association. 2005.
  10. ^ Mulvaney, Katie. "Raimondo leaves legacy of diversity in RI courts". The Providence Journal. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  11. ^ "Melissa Long sworn in as first Black justice in RI Supreme Court". WPRI.com. 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
  12. ^ a b c "Judicial appointments of women of color make R.I. history". The Brown Daily Herald. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  13. ^ "Governor McKee Swears in Five Judges | Governor's Office, State of Rhode Island". governor.ri.gov. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  14. ^ "Senate Confirms O. Rogeriee Thompson for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit | U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island". www.whitehouse.senate.gov. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
  15. ^ Mulvaney, Katie. "Pushing the bar in R.I.: 5 women who blazed trails through the legal system". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  16. ^ "Melissa DuBose, a Black lesbian judge, makes R.I. history". www.advocate.com. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  17. ^ Weatherford, Doris (2012). Women in American Politics: History and Milestones. Los Angeles: CQ Press. pp. 76–77. ISBN 978-1-60871-007-2.
  18. ^ Rutgers, Center for American Women And Politics (accessed 5/23/2007) Archived May 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Mulvaney, Katie. "Judge who unseated Corrigan has worked on high-profile RI cases". providencejournal.com. Retrieved 2018-12-24.
  20. ^ Congressional Record, V. 144, Pt. 19, October 19, 1998 to December 19, 1998. Government Printing Office.
  21. ^ Botelho, Jessica. "McElroy sworn in as first female RI Public Defender". Warwick Beacon. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  22. ^ "Rhode Island Bar Association". www.ribar.com. Retrieved 2018-12-24.
  23. ^ Botelho, Bridget (2004-05-17). "Incoming bar president promotes diversity". Providence Business News. Retrieved 2019-01-06.
  24. ^ "Marriage Equality Rhode Island: Sen. Donna Nesselbush talks to GET (signing ceremony VIDEO) - Rhode Islands Premier All Inclusive Magazine | GET RI Magazine". get-ri.com. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  25. ^ Brito, Arelis Peña (2019-01-29). "Nombran primera jueza latina en Tribunal Municipal de Central Falls". Acontecer Latino (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  26. ^ "Debra L. Chernick Esq. | Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP | Newport, Rhode Island". Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP. Retrieved 2018-12-25.