Governor McKee Nominates Three Judges to the Bench

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Official release

Source material from Rhode Island Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

Governor McKee Nominates Three Judges to the Bench

Published on Friday, November 06, 2026

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee today nominated three judges to serve on the Rhode Island Superior and District Courts:

Honorable Debra Saunders as Chief Judge of the Rhode Island District Court

Honorable Denise Cassisi Finkelman as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court

Carly B. Iafrate, Esq. as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Superior Court

“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,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m grateful to the Judicial Nominating Commission for their hard work during this process.”

Judge Debra Saunders

Judge Saunders currently serves as an Associate Judge of the Rhode Island District Court, where she presides over criminal trials, evidentiary hearings, arraignments, bail hearings, sentencings, and other court proceedings.

Prior to her appointment to the District Court in 2023, Judge Saunders served for 15 years as Clerk of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, overseeing the Clerk’s Office and managing the court’s appellate process and attorney licensing. In that position, she served as a member of the Supreme Court cabinet. She also served as Deputy General Counsel and Contract Attorney for the Supreme Court, advising on legal and administrative matters. Earlier in her career, she was a Special Assistant Attorney General, prosecuting criminal cases in District and Superior Courts, and worked in private practice handling civil and criminal matters.

Judge Saunders is a graduate of Providence College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, and Suffolk University Law School.

“I am deeply honored to be selected for this role, and I'm grateful to Governor McKee for his trust and belief," said Judge Saunders. "I look forward to serving the people of Rhode Island with the fairness, integrity, and an unwavering commitment this role demands.”

Judge Saunders is filling the vacancy resulting from District Court Chief Judge Jeanne LaFazia's retirement.

Magistrate Denise Cassisi Finkelman

Magistrate Finkelman currently serves as a Magistrate in the Rhode Island Family Court, where she presides over cases involving custody, placement, child support, and contested divorce.

Prior to joining the Judiciary in 2021, Magistrate Finkelman operated her own law practice, the Law Office of Denise Cassisi Finkelman, LLC, where she represented clients in litigation, served as a mediator in Family Court matters, and acted as a guardian ad litem for children involved in domestic cases. She previously worked as a litigation attorney with Lynch, Lynch & Friel.

Magistrate Finkelman is a graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and of Roger Williams University School of Law.

She is a member of the Rhode Island Trial Judges Association. She is also a past president of the Rhode Island Women’s Bar Association, where she previously served on the board of directors.

“I’m beyond honored and grateful to be chosen for this extremely important role,” said Magistrate Finkelman. “I thank Governor McKee for his confidence, and I look forward to continuing my career in public interest.”

Magistrate Finkelman is filling the vacancy resulting from Justice Joseph A. Montalbano’s appointment to the Rhode Island Superior Court.

Carly B. Iafrate, Esq.

Carly B. Iafrate is the principal attorney at the Law Office of Carly Beauvais Iafrate, PC, where she has more than 20 years of experience in employment litigation and labor matters. Her practice includes collective bargaining, arbitration, administrative hearings, and litigation in the Rhode Island Superior and Supreme Courts, as well as the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island and the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She is also a member of the United States Supreme Court bar.

Iafrate previously served as an adjunct professor at Roger Williams University School of Law, where she taught Employment Discrimination and Labor Law. Earlier in her career, she served as a law clerk and special assistant to now-retired Chief Justice Frank Williams of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Iafrate has held leadership and service roles in the legal community, including nearly 20 years of service on the Rhode Island Supreme Court Board of Bar Examiners. She currently serves on the boards of Roger Williams University School of Law and the Greater Rhode Island Labor and Employment Relations Association.

Iafrate is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in legal studies, and the Roger Williams University School of Law.

“I am grateful to Governor McKee and all who supported me in this process,” said Iafrate. “I look forward to the confirmation process and pledge that I will work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the Superior Court and fairness for all in Rhode Island.”

Iafrate is filling the vacancy resulting from Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Lanphear’s retirement.

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

Date

Fri, 11/06/2026 - 14:09

Release text attributed to Rhode Island Governor’s Office. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.