McKee Announces Two Superior Court Judicial Nominations

McKee Announces Two Superior Court Judicial Nominations

 

On Wednesday, Governor Dan McKee announced his nomination of Maria Ferro Deaton and Joanna M. Achille to the Rhode Island Superior Court.

 

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The nominations will be submitted to the Rhode Island Senate for advice and consent.

 

“Joanna and Maria will bring a wealth of knowledge and legal experience to the court. I am confident they will serve with distinction and further fairness and integrity in our judicial system,” said McKee in a statement. “I thank the Judicial Nominating Commission for their work during this process.” 

 

This is the latest in a series of judicial appointments by McKee — see others below.

 

According to McKee’s announcement:

Achille is a Partner and Co-Chair of the Family Law Practice Group at DarrowEverett LLP and Director of Legal Services for the Rhode Island Senate. She serves as Solicitor for the Town of Foster and is Vice President of the Edward P. Gallogly Rhode Island Inns of Court. She is also an Executive Board Member of the Rhode Island District Court Prosecutors Association.

 

Achille is a graduate of Roger Williams University with a degree in History and received her Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2007. 

 

If approved, Achille will fill the seat vacated by Associate Justice Stephen Nugent.

 

“I am deeply honored to be nominated to serve as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court. I am grateful to Governor McKee for his confidence in me. If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to serving the people of Rhode Island and will be committed to providing equal access to the judicial system,” said Achille.

 

Deaton has over 30 years of experience as a litigator, serving as a criminal prosecutor in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Since 2011, she has been a partner at Lynch & Pine. Deaton is also the sitting Probate Court Judge for the City of East Providence and an Associate Housing Court Judge in Providence. 

 

In addition, Deaton has taught at the Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Municipal Academy regarding the administration of justice and constitutional matters. In 1993, she graduated from Providence College with a degree in political science and received her Juris Doctor degree from New England School of Law in 1996.

 

Deaton, if approved by the Senate, will fill the seat vacated by Associate Justice Melanie Wilk Thunburg. 

 

“I am deeply honored and humbled by Governor McKee’s appointment to the Rhode Island Superior Court. Serving the people of Rhode Island has been the calling of my career, and I am committed to upholding the principles of justice and fairness with integrity and compassion. I look forward to earning the trust of this community every single day I sit on the bench,” said Deaton.